The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-20
Naval Officers Think 1t Could
Not Have Been TOrpedOed.
Captain of Ship Was Confident
Torpedo Did 1t.
At LEAST THREE men KILLED
This Is Last Estimate Follow
ing Check of Crew Today.
Fact That Men Left Ship in
Good Order Points That Way.

Washington, July 20.-Three men
were killed by the explosion which
sank the cruiser San Diego yesterday.
The navy department announced their
names follows:
Thomas E. Davis, engine man. Can
ton. Ohio.
Frazier o. Thomas. machinists
mate, Charleston, W. Va.
James F. Rochet, engine man, Blue
Lake, Calf.
Some others have not been account
ed for, the navy department state
ment says, bl it will be impossible to
determine the exact number of miss
ing until survivors have been checked
up, which is being done as rapidly as
possible. Reports indicate, however
that loss of life was small.
Washington, July 2O.-Altho Cap
tain Christie of the armored cruiser,
San Diego, reported his belief that it
was a torpedo that sent the ship down
off Long Island yesterday, further re-
ports today showing that five or six
mines were destroyed by war ships in
the vicinity last night strengthened
the opinion of naval officers here that
an enemy >su bmarine was not respon-
sible for the disaster
A statement by Rear Admiral Palm
er acting secretary of the navy. de-
scribing the gallant conduct of Cap
tain Christie and his men. emphasized
the absence of any evidence of the
temperance of the enemy raiders.
Little If Any Loss of Life.
That there was little, if any, loss of
life Is indicated by the fact that the
ship was abandoned in good order. all
hands remaining at their posts until
ordered to take to the boats.
1t is learned that the captains re-
port showed that the explosion could
not have been internal because there
was nothing in the ship at that place
to explode. The department also has
satisfactory evidence that the ship
could not have struck. an American
mine, so apparently the only possible
EXPLANATION of the destruction of the
ship aside from that of submarine
attack is that she encountered mine
dropped by U-boats before they left
the American coast.
chief of staff of cruiser forces. based
upon Captain Christie's report made
public by the navy department;
DISPATCH From Cruiser CIief.
The dispatch follows:
THE captain of the San Diego re-
ports that he is inclined to the belief
that the Ship was sunk by torpedo
There are no conclusive facts, now
ever, on which to base a definite opin-
ion at present. in view of the follow
ing circumstances:
1-No torpedo wake was seen
"2-No convincing evidence that
periscope was seen.
"3-No submarine appeared, in
spite of the fact that three unarmed
rescue ships were in the vicinity for
about two hours.
"4-Ship was struck on port side
abaft beam, which discourages mine
Theory.
"5-Weather was fine. smooth sea"
LOO Survivors Reach N. Y.
New York, July 20--All the sur
to number over LOO. have arrived
in New York. They were brought r
! during the night on rescuing ships
from the scene of the d ,struction of
the cruiser. which was sunk yester
I day off Fire Island. just east of New
York.
Acct riding to the commando of
rescuiLg ship which brought in some
500 of the crew. the survivors were of
the opinion that the San Diego was
torpedoed.
The survivors we're reported o ha re
been tr lsferred to tugs, which took
/ them to the navy yard in Br Joklyn
Official information at the navy yard
was refused and no civilians were al
! lowe access to the survivors. Whl tn
er there was loss life was yet un-
known.
Conduct of Officers and Men raised.
Washington, July 20.-A statement
issued today by hear Admiral Palmer.
acting secretary of the navy. ON
mends the exemplary conduct of Off
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