The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-16
-FOUR DEAD

CONTINUED from page /. first section.)
process of Withdrawing the charge
from the batteries might have caused
the formation of hydrogen gas. The
explosions of that nature have been
frequent on submarines OF all navles.
1t was explained, and several have oc-
CURED on American boats within the
last few years. None Of the others
were serious, however.
The E-2 was the only vessel in the
world equipped with the Edison
nickel batteries and 1t made its first
trip successfully with them on Do
cember Z last. 1t was reported that
the new batteries gave better speed
with less fuel.
Generates Hydrogen.
The Edison battery experiments
have proved that 1t generates nearly
double the ordinary amount Of by
drogen during the process of charg-
ing but on discharging or while lying
idle, gives out much less. During
the battery trials, there were reports
from its officers OF an undue amount
Of hydrogen. The boat made one trip
with observers and it was reported
that while in operation not enough
gas was generated to be dangerous.
There were three other subma-
rines in tho dry dock, but they were
about fifty feet from the E-2, which
had been undergoing repairs since
December 80. There were no tor
pedoes or gasoline aboard any OF
them. Secretary Of the Navy
Daniels Was at Luncheon
at the National Democratic Club in
this city when he was informed Of
the explosion. Rear Admiral Usher
was there also and the commandant
left for the navy yard Immediately.
accompanied by Commander Daniel
W. Wurtsbaugh, an aide despatched
by the secretary. Mr.. Daniels re-
NAMED to address the club.
Lieutenant Charles H. Cook, COM
mander of the E-2, was moi. at the
navy yard when the explosion occur
red.
Commander Wurtsbaugh reported
to Secretary Daniels this afternoon
the result of his preliminary inquiry
into the explosion.
"As Commander Wurtsbaugh has
the information at first hand" Mr..
Daniels said, 81 prefer that he should
impart it, as he can do 1t more in
telligently than l can"
Commander Talks.
Commander Wurtsbaugh said:
THE E-2 boat, one of the oldest
submarines, was in dry dock when
the explosion took place. 1t was
an internal explosion, there being no
apparent damage on the outside. ;"
He added that no information was
available at that time regarding the
dead and injured.
The explosion was followed by a
muffled roar within the boat. 1mme-
diately scores Of navy yard employees,
officers and sailors rushed to the dry
dock to take up the rescue work. Or
ders were issued excluding all out
siders from the yard and sentries
kept visitors back.
rescue DlIuCulI.
The gas fumes made the work OF
rescue almost impossible until gas
helmet and diving suit had been OBJ
tanned. Equipped with these two
men were lowered into the craft and
brought out several OF the injured.
Previously ropes were tied around
several men and they were lowered
through the manholes. Those above
soon discovered. however, that some
thing was wrong and faint cries from
inside caused them to drag up the
rescuers. They were suffering severity
from gas fumes and some of them re-
quired medical attention.
The bodies were terribly burned.
One was found with leg blown of,
while others were crushed. The in
jured are suffering principally from
burns.
The emergency hospital inside the
yard gave first aid and four injured
were later removed to the naval hos
pital near the yard.
Blown Twenty Feet.
A man working on top of the sub
marine was blown twenty feet. He
fell onto the floor of the dry dock.
but suffered only slight injuries.
Scores of surgeons and ship at
taches were on the scene soon after
the accident. Ambulances were drawn
up at the edge Of the dock but only
a few Of them were needed. All OF
the dead were taken 10 the morgue at
the navy hospital, where indentlfica-
ton was made.
Coroner Wagner, of Brooklyn,
went to the yard soon after the ex-
plosion. He announced that he
would hold an inquest Wednesday
morning.
The only fatal submarine accident
in the history Of the United States
navy was the sinking Of the Fla, out
side Honolulu harbor last March, with
the loss Of twenty men.
The Ed had a narrow escape from
accident in September, 1914. while en-
Eaged in maneuovers off Brenton Reef
llghtship. An ensign detected chloric
gas when the craft was submerged
atty feet and b ran to the surface byI