The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-06-06
DEATH SHELL TELLS STORY
OF BAD NAVY AMMUNITION

Washington, June 2.-B' ooi-stained
and battered, tiny bit Of brass taken
from the heart Of dead Red Cross
nurse, was mute but dramatic wit
ness before the committee on naval
affairs today. The piece of brass was
from casing cap of one Of the shells
fired on board the liner Mongolia
when the two nurses were killed two
weeks ago.
AS result of the accident it de-
veloped in the investigation today
that the United States navy, on the
very edge Of war, has determined to
make a change in the manufacture of
its ammunition. Ordnance experts
have determined to substitute for the
brass cap, woolen disk Which would
be destroyed by the explosion when
the shell is fired
The hearing today, brought about
by the resolution of Senator Frclinr-
huysen, showed both Secretary Dan
iels and Admiral Earle, chief of the
ordnance bureau, are convinced the
accident came not from any neglect
but from an inexplicable rebound of
the brass cap.
Continue Probe.
Although other hearings will be
held next week it seemed evident to-
day that the nrvul committee had
been persuaded that no blame should
be attached for the accident. How
ever, it is possible that further testi-
mony may develop more facts. Pre-
mature explosions have occurred on
board the st. Louis, st. Paul and
Philadelphia as well as on the Mon
golia, it came out today.
The report that of IS shells fired
by the st. Louis none of. them proved
efficient, caused stir in the commit
tee. Captain MacDougall, the Ameri-
can naval attache at the embassy in
London, submitted the report. He
said four of the shells burst within
100 feet of the ship, nine burst in
the guns and none exploded when
they struck the target. Admiral
Earle contradicted the report, saying
an inquiry when the St. Louis return
ed to an American port showed that
all shots striking the target exploded,
making perfect record"
1t was Secretary Daniels who show
ed the piece of brass cap. He reached
into his vest pocket and drew it out
"That, gentlemen, was taken from
the heart Of one of the nurses" he
said.
The secretary read a report from
Lieut.. Philip Seymour, commanding
the gun crew on board the Mongolia.
Seymour said the accident was in no
way due to carelessness or neglect on
the part of any one on board the Mon
golia and Daniels said the board of
inquiry confirmed this statement, as
we'll as the ordnance experts and
Everybody in the navy"
at would have been very difficult
to make any one in the navy believe
such an accident could have occurred,
wouldn't it," asked Senator Swanson,
ranking member of the committee.
"Indeed it would. l don't under
stand now how it could have occurr-
ed,' replied the secretary.
; Protected.
Senator Page asked why such an
accident never occurred before. Adj
miral Earle interrupted to explain
that during target practice the men
were ordered below or were protected
by the ships armor. Senator Pen
rose said the nurses might have been
ordered below. But to this Admiral
Earle said the accident was consider
ed impossible. He assured the COM
mittee such an accident could never
happen again because Of the subst;-
tuition of the W0OIen disk for tho