Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-17
Edison Battery
Not Responsible
FOR EXPLOSION ON THE suHMA.
RINE AT N. Y. NAVY YARD
A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY
DisoIoses Fact That the Battery in the
E-2 Was Not Injured in the Least
Several of Those Injured Are in a
Serious Condition.

New York, Jan. ia statement in
dicating that the new Edison storage
battery was not in any way RESPONSE
BILE for the explosion which killed four
and injured ten others on the sub
marine E-2 at the New York navy yard
yesterday was made tonight by Miller
Reese Hutchinson, chief engineer for
Thomas A. Edison and member Of
the naval consulting board.
A Preliminary Inquiry.
The preliminary inquiry into the ex-
plosion was held in secret today by the
board of inquiry appointed by Rear
Admiral Nathaniel r. Usher, COM
mandant of the navy yard. Neither
Admiral Usher nor any of those pres
ent would discuss what transpired.
Persons on board or near the E-2
at the time of the explosion were ques-
toned at length. Rear Admiral Usher
made the formal statement tonight:
''The board of inquiry met today and
went aboard the submarine. where they
conducted a thorough investigation.
The investigation was not finished and
therefore the board will meet again
tomorrow. No conclusion was reach
ed"
Inquirers Turned Away.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels, who
is expected to name tomorrow the
board of inquiry to conduct a formal
investigation, left for Washington
H1lAOul Hldk1IlB dDy SIdIGInS1l. al tie
navy yard inquirers were turned away
with the statement that Rear Admiral
Usher and others conducting the in
quiry had nothing to say
No Official Theory.
Nothing approximating an official
theory as to the cause of the explosion
which resulted in the death of four
workmen and the injury of ten others
was obtainabie. The only light shed
nm fho diCa Iuo contained in the
statement of Mr.. Hutchinson, who abb
solved from blame the Edison battery
designed to minimize the danger to
submarine crews resulting from ac-
cumulations of gas. The E-2 was the
only boat thus far EQUIPPED with the
batteries, the tests of which were re-
ported 70 be thoroughly satisfactory.
Complete Inspection Made.
ST have made a complete inspection
of the interior of the submarine E-2
as conditions will at present admit, .
said Mr.. Hutchinson. This inspec-
ton was made as Mr.. Edison's chief
engineer and personal representative
have formed a tentative opinion. This
have transmitted to the commandant
of the New York navy yard, under
whose jurisdiction this boat was on
Jan. Is, 1916. 1t is subject to revision
when all the facts are brought forth
by the board of inquiry which Admiral
Usher has ordered.
Having been present at the pre-
liminary inspection, I consider 1 am
bound by the same rules and regula-
tions as is a naval officer in matters
of confidential nature, and must re-
fer you to Admiral Usher for such in
formation as he may be in possession
and inclined to give.
Battery Not injured.
"As to the Edison battery, with all
the facts and conditions before me,
see no reason to recommend to Mr.
Edison any changes or alterations in
the theory, construction or method of
installation of the Edison submarine
type storage battery. The battery in
the E-2 does not appear to have been
injured in the least"
Marines on Guard.
A large number of persons went to
the navy yard this afternoon to view
the wreck of the submarine, but ma
rines on guard prevented them from
going closer than IL or 15 feet.
Several of Injured in Serious Condition
At the hospitals where the injured
were taken it was said several of them
were in a serious condition, and one
| Is expected to die.