Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-07-21
Cause Of San Diego's Sinking
Off Fire Island, New York,
Continues 10 Battle Navy De-
partment Officials
OPINIONS ARE DIVIDED
between SUB AND MINE
Survivors Hold to Two The
cries, Either One of Which
May Be Correct; Death Toll
Still Unknown.

soss,so IoussA. SPECIAL LsAsxo wiHsI
Washington, July 20.--The loss OF
life in the sinking off Fire island,
New York, yesterday of the United
States armored cruiser San Diego and
the cause of the ships destruction,
still were undetermined tonight at the
navy department. Announcement
was made that 1888 from the ship
had been landed. Unofficial reports
said there were I.255 men aboard and
liz they are correct the loss Of life
would not exceed seventy-two. The
names of three of those missing were
announced today.
Rear Admiral Palmer. acting sec
'retary of the navy. tonight made pub
lie detailed account of the destruc-
'tion and rescue. but 1t added nothing
to previous reports from Capt. III. III.
Christy and other survivors as to the
cause of the sinking.
Belief that the San Diego was n
victim of a mine grew among naval
Officials after the commander of the
American patrol boats operating off
Fire island reported his craft picked
up several mines of foreign design.
Among the survivors opinion SEEM
ed to be equally divided as to whether
"a submarine or a mine was responsible
for the loss of the cruiser. Many
1h~.s ssissass an. my sorsSsao lse.ek
A. xryH;v L. sub urrtH.
ed to the theory that the vessel hit
a mine. No reference to the cause
of the explosion. which was heard
about the cruiser. was contained In
the account of the sinking made pub
lie tonight by Admiral Palmer. The
statement follows:
Explosion on Port Side.
Fuller particulars received re-
garding the sinking of the U. S. s. San
Diego show the explosion took place
on the port side Just aft of the for
ward port engine room bulkhead. The
feed tank and circulating pump were
blown in, and the port engine wreck
ed. Full speed ahead was running,
and the starboard engine operated un-
the engine room.
"Machinist's Mate Hawthorne was
at the throttle in the port engine
room and was blown four feet under
the engine room desk. He got up,
closed the throttle on the engine,
which had already stopped. and then
up the engine room ladder.
Lieutenant Millen. on watch in the
starboard engine room. closed the
door to the engine room
and gave the necessary instructions to
the fire room to protect the boilers.
Ship lists Heavily.
THE ship listed to port heavily so
the water entered the gun ports on
the gun decks. The vessel listed s
degrees quickly. then hung for seven
then gradually listed. the
speed increasing until 35 degrees was
reached. At this time the port quar-
ter deck was three feet under water.
Then the ship rapidly turned turtle
and sank.
4 Captain Christy went from the
bridge down two ladders to the boat
ucChs Siu uoWH u Hhc W thC diMoieu
belt, then dropped down four feet to |
the bilge keel. and thence to the dock /
keel, which at that time was eight feet |
above water From there he jumped |
into the water. The ship was about |
five minutes In turning over after she |
reached 35 degrees heel
mo wake Of torpedo was seen.
The first thing Captain Christy notic-
ed was. while standing on the wheel |
house, eight feet above the forward |
bridge, he felt and heard a dull ex-
ploston. He Immediately sounded
submarine defense quarters as the
general alarm.
Perfect Order Maintained.
Everything went qnietly and ac-
,ording to drill schedule. The captain
rang full speed ahead and sent Off
GERS to investigate the damage. At
he time he thought the ship would |
not sink. Two motor saiIers were or
lered rigged out. but not to be lower
ID until further orders. sso.
AT the submarine defense call thu |
men went quietly to their stations and |
the guns. They stood BY the
port guns until they were awash. and /
oy the starboard guns until the list
,f the ship pointed them up into the [
air. k4s-
When It seemed obvious that the
vessel would capsize the order was
given to abandon ship.' except the |
port side gun crew. which were to re-
main at their station as long as the
gums would bear. Boats were lower
ID. and two sail boats, one dinghy.
,ne wherry and two punts were
The life RATS were launch-
"a and the lumber pile on deck was
oosed and ct adrift. Fifty iness
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