Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-01-16
Eleven Others Injured by Explosion on E-2, in
 Charge of Arkansas Man.
VESSEL IN NEW
 YORK DRY DOCK
Naval Officers Say Blast Caused by Hydrogen Gas-Lieut. Cooke Had Complained New Edison Batteries Developed Too Much Gas.
 

New York, Jan. 15-Four men were killed and at least eleven others were injured today in an explosion on the submarine E-2, in dry dock at the, Br ooklyn navy yard. The dead:
 seibert. R. B., third class elect rician.
 Peck. John J., civilian workman. Logan, Joseph, civilian workman. Schultz, John, civilian workman. The cause of the explosion has not yet been officially determined. After nasty survey, naval officers tonight stated unofficially that the disaster probably was caused by hydrogen gas.
 The E-2's commander had previous ly reported the new Edison batteriss were developing too much hydrogen gas while being charged. It was to remedy this that yard workmen were installing new ventilating system at the time of the accident.
 32 Men In Hull at Time Thirty-two men under the direction Of Lieut.. c. M. Cooke, in charge pf the E-2. were in the vessels hull at the time of the accident. They were en- gagged in overhauling her and in dan- charging her batteries. .a% Z 1 The E-2 wac the first submarine m the navy to be equipped with the neW Edison storage batteries. desiGnad te eliminate the danger of aSphyxlafln& ' L 45 tjf
 Admiral Usher. commaAdaut at the navy yard, declared tOhaeht tnat tne new Edison batteries could not nave been responsible for the ploAtOn. V The accident occurred at lib P. IT., just after all hands had turned in TOT the afternoons shift. The E-2 had been brought into the dry dock on, Ds''A' Scores ss' Witness Acsident. Three other submarines under going overhauling were lying h tne dock. ss.' <. ..9... q idlers at the yards were standing ats the edge of the dry dock. watcnin6 the work that was gotnE on below.
 There was tremendous explosion. shaking buildings and vessel m the dock. The spectators sawla cloud q hlact amoke belch from tho open hatchway of the E-2. az from the muzzle of giant cAnron.
 Then a barrel rose m the ar. Directly beneath there rose the arm. and the legs of man. one man nan heen working on the deck or !nos ! q, marine He was hurled into the air Inv the force of the explosion. wes lifted IT'D at least 20 feet. and landeo mack on the dock unconscions sAas crippled. r..4~
 panic spread throughout the yaro. The fire bells changed ana !Ae y.. private fire engine hurf1ed 1o .S .s.s scene. Admiral Usher EeeonF0 t dock soon after the exploAon .nSAs took charge of the rescue woFk.
 Wtthin a quarter nf m hour s ts.s the accident. an order was sent KY oa. closing all gates ne the yaios. inside were not allowed to AeaSs .nsA x. hoth sailors and visitors seeklh VI mission were barred. Y.
 Secretary Daniels, who Nas aat s1s4 Democratic club in this city. vas M. formed of the exploston. He s0n. rnrn mandcr Wurtxbureh, his a:ae' ', VI the yard at once. to ascerealA n. facts.
 Artansas Naa Cen1hanaes. \.
 washineton. Ian. 15.-0fficefs '. .ha .,hmarine E-2 are Lieut.. Cnaf.es " cooka of Arkansas and Lieuts Ms Si. EIsss % nf Rhode Island. Co9AS
 ,,as s,va years on tho submaEl < tanker tender roucpah in prepsretion " 2 taking command Of the E-2. spd Hs s.s. joined the boat : fev months al''e
 Admiral Usher has appoanseA .,a s hcard % 10 make an inquiry tnto she d.s. <. aster. It will nuke pubs1c f1e sesAsr of it's findings esrlT next Mes.: tc
 A permanent besrd ot @ .nau'sssd ssd Fl \ he composed of three onicers aae F. s
 .mine ,uos into tho causes Of the d',sssss ,ss
 sftar s the work of the special s Z has ceased.