New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-07
Night Blazes on Maine and
Oklahoma Within
a Week.
MOVE AMMUNITION
TO AVOID EXPLOSION
NAVY Yard Officials Will En-
force Stricter Reg
ulations.

O@c;sls AZ the navy yard admitted
last night that they were puzzled over
two serious fires on two big battleships
AZ the ward. A blaze on the new dread
nought Oklahoma was put out after a
hard fight on Friday night. Two nights
before that the battleship Maine was
ablsze. and the fire was put out 0h''
after reserves were sent from inc
marine barracks, the navy yard and the
Oklahoma. The cause Of the hres mas
no. been discovered and officials are
making an investigation. .
Captain Roger Welles, commander 81
the oklshoma, took the vessel out Of
the navy yard yesterday afternoon
lust before the ship cast on her iiheS
the story of the fire on board ieaheu
ont but before any one could ge'
aboard to interview Captain "elles the
shin started on her way to JOIN the
Atlantic feet.
Members of the crew admitted that a
FIRE occurred in the hold Of the big bat
tleship on Friday night They ssio
that the blaze had good deal Of head
wav before it was discovered, and that
the entire navy yard reserve as well as
the crew of the Maine was called out.
Explosion Danger Great.
The fact that both fires happened
late at night is disturbing to the Off
cials Of the navy yard. The Oklahoma
is the latest addition TO the navy, and
all week has been receiving powder and
stores for her voyage. The vessel had
a big supply of ammunition, and 1t was
said by officers at the navy yard that
they were greatly alarmed until the
blaze was extinguished
The Oklahoma received her final
finishing touches on Friday. so that
there were no workmen or visitors
aboard at the time the blaze was dis
covered. She is brand new ship and
has been at the navy yard for two
. months.
The blaze on board the Maine is just
as much a mystery as that aboard the
Oklahoma. The Maine recently re-
turned from voyage with the naval
militia, and during the trip her rudder
and machinery were damaged. Repairs
are being made TO the battleship 80
that she will be able to take the John
Paul Jones cruise" next week. The
Maine has been in charge Of Com
mander NJ NJ. Taylor for the last
month.
1t was said by members Of the crew
that the fire on the battleship was a
serious one. While the Maine has her
magazines filled with powder, there
was not nearly the amount aboard that
the Oklahoma carried. For several
days the Maine had been receiving her
complement of ammunition, and had
the blaze got beyond control of the fire
fighters the battleship would probably
have been wrecked.
Amount of Damage Withheld.
When the fire on the Maine was dis.
covered late at night the siren of the
battleship brought officers and men
running from all parts Of the navy
yard, and Captain Welles sent half OF
his. crew from the Oklahoma. They
were nearly two hours at the task, and
in the mean time the crew Of the Maine
was getting dangerous projectiles out
of the fire zone. The amount Of dam
age 10 the ships was not divulged by
the navy yard authorities.
For three months Rear Admiral
Usher, commandant Of the navy yard
has been making unusual efforts 10
keep the warships at the reservation
free from any mishap. The gates have
been closed. individual passes have
been issued TO reporters. and no visitor
can 90 aboard any of the wsrships
without first visiting the commandant's
Office and getting permission. Then
the commander Of the vessel is com
municated with and the visitors are
escorted TO the ship by guard. The
same routine is followed when the
visitors leave.
II was said last night that a strictcr
regulation would probably be made
within the next few days. There are
two unfinished battleships at the navy
yard, the Arizona, which is nearing
completion, and the New Mexico, which
is on the ways. The collier Maumee is
also in the hands of the navy yard
workmen after being lowed from the
Pacific Coast A stronger guard will
be placed about the vessels, IL is said
There are several smaller vessels at
the navy yard which will also be better
protected. They consist of submarines,
destroyers and the supply ship Culgoa.
Admiral Usher is said 10 believe that
the origin of the fires was accidental,
but he is going TO take no further
chances.