Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1910 — WARSHIP NORTH DAKOTA ON FIRE [ARTICLE]

WARSHIP NORTH DAKOTA ON FIRE

Leaking Oil Is Supposed Cause of Marine Disaster. THREE KILLED; EIGHT INJURED Rear Admiral Schroeder Notifies Navy Department of Accident —Damage to Huge War Vessel Is Not Yet Made Known. Washington, Sept. 9.—The North Dakota, one of the largest and most powerful battleships of the navy, had a fire in her fuel oil system while in Hampton Roads. Three coal passers of the fire room "crew were killed and eight other enlisted men were injured. The accident occurred during a test of the fuel oil apparatus under boiler No. 1. which is used to supplement the coal Supply. The exact cause of the fire has not, been ascertained. Engineer officers of the department believe there w’as a leakage in the pipes and that the oil was ignited from sparks from the furnace. The victims of the accident were removed to the hospital The extent of the damage to the ship has not been ascertained. The accident was reported to the department by Rear Admiral Schroeder, commander-in-chief of the Atlantic battleship fleet His dispatch was as follows: "U. S. S. Connecticut, Fort Monroe, Va., Sept. 8. . “Secretary Navy. Washington.

“While North Dakota under way approaching Hampton Roads, fuel oil caught fire, No. 3 fire room, apparently near settling tank. Oil fuel being used for test at time "and only on boiler No. 1. Three dead: J. W. Schmidt, Joseph H. Streit, R. Gilmore, all coal pa seers. Next of kin have been notified. “Injured: J. H. McDonough, machinist; E. W. Andrews chief machinist’s mate; C. C. Robert, machinist’s mate, first class; S. J. Wittwer. J. A Brady. F. P. Kinney. J. G. Morrison, firemen, first class; L. F. Pioroek. fireman, second class. All injured will recover Deed and injured transferred to Solace. No estimate possible yet regarding injury to boilers. Ship anchored below Thimble shoals. Will probably come to Roads Friday. Have ordered board investigation.’’ From the brief report of the accident by Rear Admiral Schroeder, engineers of the navy department believe that the accident must have town

due to a leakage in the fuel oil pipes in- the fire room. The exact cause ot the fire is not yet definintely known.