After Battery Blows Up While Charging at Her New London Berth.
By the Associated Press.
NEW LONDON. Conn.. April 20.—Twelve men, members of the S-49, which was moored at a dock at the submarine base, were injured this morning when the after battery in the submersible exploded. All the men were taken to the base hospital. One man may die.
The submarine, which returned from the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N. H., two weeks ago, had been moored at her berth and her battery was under process of being charged throughout the night. Escaping gas fumes are believed to have been the cause of the explosion.
The explosion produced a tremendous concussion which hurled the dozen men in the steel-walled compartment against the sides of the chamber. While many of them are suffering from the effects of gas and fire, it is believed that fractures of limbs constitute the greatest injuries.
Immediately after the explosion the submarine base fire alarm was sounded, bringing scores of men to the scene equipped with gas masks. The rescuers dropped into the submarine and carried out their injured comrades.
There were about thirty men in the forward battery and torpedo room, it was reported, who escaped with apparently little injury. Carbon monoxide fumes seeped into the forward chambers, endangering the lives of the men there.
Names of Injured.
Naval officials declined to reveal the nature of the injuries of the men, but it is known that all of them sustained broken arms and legs and possible internal injuries.
The injured included: Frederick France Horn, boatswain’s mate, second class, 947 Walnut street, Freeland, Pa.; Sylvester Erle Matlock, fireman, second class, 203 Slate street, Charleston, Ill.; Ollie J. Cooke, seaman, first class, Danville, Va.; Claire Daniel Fields, electrician’s mate, first class, 18 Pine street, Reno. Nev.: Basil S. Morris, fireman, third class, 36 Oak street, Asheville, N. C.
The Evening Star, Washington, DC, April 20, 1926