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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Apr 14, 1904
Page
5
At Pensacola on the battleship Missouri during target practice with Texas and Brooklyn a 12 inch gun powder charge ignited. Captain William Cowles led a fearless rescue, flooding magazines and guiding crews to safety. Despite rapid efforts 29 men were killed and five wounded.
The battleship Missouri was under Captain Cowles who is President Roosevelt's brother in law through his wife Anna Roosevelt. Cowles, long an esteemed navy officer, has served in Alaska the Mediterranean the West Indies and off Africa. His career included command of the Dispatch in 1891 and the gunboat Topeka during the Spanish war.
An advertisement touts a home food product billed as an obesity remedy that allegedly normalizes weight without dieting or exercise. It cites a testimonial from Mr. Arthur K. Wallace of Abingdon and offers a free trial package by mail from Prof. I. J. Kellogg in Battle Creek Michigan.
Washington April 18 The Navy Department conveys a message from Admiral Barker causing consternation as despatches go to relatives of officers killed aboard the Missouri. Biographies show young officers like Lieutenant William C Davidson of Indiana and Lieutenant Ernest A Weichert of Connecticut among the dead. Gridley’s son and others such as Midshipmen Ward and Neumann are named with their origins in New York California and Pennsylvania.
Russian battleship Petropavlovsk sunk off Port Arthur with about 800 dead while a gun explosion on the US battleship Missouri near Pensacola caused 29 deaths and multiple injuries. During Portsmouth maneuvers the British torpedo boat Teazer struck a sea wall and grounded.
Washington April 13 Admiral Barkers despatch reports five officers and 24 men dead with two mortally injured after an explosion on Missouri. Three rounds fired from the after 12 inch gun and shell seated with powder rammed when the blast occurred killing all in the turret and most in the handling room. Commanding officer informs relatives.
Washington officials race to explain a deadly accident aboard the battleship Missouri during target practice near Pensacola. An official cites possible powder left over from prior charges as a cause while warnings about rushing firing and breech openings surface. Navy crews faced a high casualty count with many men in the turret as the ship returned to port.
Washington April 13 The most serious accident in the American navy since the Maine explosion in Havana harbor in 1898 occurred today. Details are scarce as officials assess casualties and scope of the incident aboard a fleet unit stationed near the capital.
The list from Pensacola shows casualties on the Missouri including Lieutenants W C Davidson and J P W Gridley, Ensign E A Weichert, Midshipman W T Neumann, and many others with ranks from Boatswain's Mate to Ordinary Seamen. One marked as Charles Rice is a Boston resident with kin in San Francisco.
The battleship Missouri known as the Queen of the Ocean has been commissioned after early trials in Cape Ann waters on October 21 last year. It recorded an average speed near 18.05 knots with a maximum around 18.30, and weighs about 11 560 tons displacement with 6802 tons deadweight. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding the vessel is 368 feet long, 72 feet wide and 23 feet deep and is cited as a triumph of American workmanship under Captain Cowles who is married to President Roosevelt's eldest sister.
Private Marine J P J Brown and Chief Gunner's Mate J F Kennedy are listed among the injured. Ordinary Seaman K J Kivlin and Chief Gun Captain P J Braun, plus Ordinary Seaman J M Roach, are noted as injured or recovering. J T J Donnelly and O B Moe are dying, while R S Starr and F C Scaub, apprentices, are recovering.
Washington April 13 The Navy Department is stunned by a terrible catastrophe. The Bureau of Navigation has been active since early reports reached here just after 4 o clock. Captain W S Cowles commanding officer of the Missouri arranged immediate telegrams to the next of kin for all men killed and the department is issuing notices to prevent any mistake.
April 13 Washington naval officer explains gun deck procedure. Smokeless powder loaded in 12 inch guns in three 120 pound sections. Some officers claim Missouri turrets had no bottoms. After the accident they think all battleships will have bottoms to protect men in the handling room below.
Washington April 13 The Missouri officers were well known in the capital. Captain Cowles served as assistant chief of the bureau of navigation and many officers killed were familiar to locals. Midshipmen Neumann and Ward were understood to be engaged to be married.
Mann was to marry the sister of Midshipman Ward. The two midshipmen were classmates and intimate friends. At their request they were assigned to the same ship.
Rear Admiral H C Taylor chief of the bureau of navigation said that a great disaster has occurred. He called the deaths of the officers and men a calamity to the navy and the country and praised their sacrifice. Details remain to be revealed after the court of inquiry reviews the facts.
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