Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-17
POOR AIR PRESSURE
HELD To BLAME FOR
TURRET HOLOCAUST

SAN PEDRO, Cal, June 15.--By
the Associated Press.)-The first
definitA evidence of what might
have caused the disaster in the
dreadnaught Mississippis turret
number 2, Thursday, snuffing out
the lives Of 4S men, was presented
to the naval court Of inquiry on the
fleet Saturday by Francis Males
wiki, one of the three sailors who
escaped from the death chamber.
Poor air pressure for blowing out
the big 14-inch rifle breeches had
been encountered all during the fir
ing after the second salvo, he testi-
fled. Shortly before the eighth and
fatal salvo, Majeswiki testified, the
air pressure which in addition to
blowing out the big barrel operates
to close the breech, was SO weak
that in his position, as plugman, he
was obliged to lend the weight of
his shoulder to the breech.
Testimony Grves Clue
Failure of sufficient air pressure
to cleanse the barrel of fumes and
gas. it was pointed out, by naval
officers, makes bsequent ignition
of the powder residue in the barrel
quite likely.
Majeswikis testimony was highly
sensational in that it was the first
definite clue as to the means by
which the chain of flames originated
in the turret and developed one of
the greatest peace-time disasters of
the American navy.
What was considered a partial So
luton of the premature firing of the
gun of No. 2 turret after the Mis-
sissippi had reached port Thursday
afternoon, was contained in the tes-
timony of Lieutenant Gyle B. Con
rad, who declared that the turrct
explosion and the resulting fire
could have affected wires and
mechanism in a manner that would
have made possible the discharge of
the left gun without firing the CEN
ter gun which also was loaded, and
also chat either of the loaded guns
could have become discharged de-
spite the fact that the right gun
was unloaded.
The plug mans testimony, If sub
stantiated, might result in a fleet
wide investigation of every big gun
to determine whether a similar de-
feet existed on other ships of the
navy, officers said.
g board of inquiry sat today on
board the Mississippi. Further SEES
sions will be held Monday, it was
announced.
Although deliriouS and seriously
injured F. Ii. Rynes, chief turret
captain, regarded as one of the pivo-
tai witnesses in the investigation, is
not regarded in a critical condition,
according to an official statement
given out shortly before noon today
from the hospital ship Relief.
Eight Dead Brought Ashore
Information as to the condition of
others injured by the explosion was
contained in a bulletin issued to the
Associated Press, as follows:
w. III. Ball, seaman, first class,
whose condition is serious. slightly
improved.
Joe Smits, quartermaster, third
class, eyes better.
II. G. Whited, chief quartermaster,
improved less toxemia.
Clyde Bentley, seaman. first class.
less toxemia and recovery favored.
The remaining. seven injured are
decidedly better and no doubts are
entertained as to a speedy recovery.
Eight of the dead were brought
ashore before noon in the first con-
tingent landing from the hospital
ship Relief. The boat locked at the
Second street navy wharf and ac-
companied by an escort, but without
other ostentation, bodies of the vic
TINS were taken in ambulances to
local undertaking parlor to await
funeral arrangements and further
disposition.
The remainder of the victims were
to have been brought ashore late
today.
The dead will be buried Tuesday
with full naval honors, it was an