FIVE-INCH GUN EXPLODES

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 15

FIVE-INCH GUN EXPLODES

' TRAGEDY DN TRAINING SHIP SIX MEN KILLED Press 'Association—By Telegraph Copyright CALIFORNIA, February 18. The explosion of a five-inch gun on the training ship Wyoming killed six men and injured 10, according to a radio message from Admiral Hepburn to the Associated Press. The Wyoming, which was constructed in 1912, is now used only for training purposes. She was off San Clemente Island at the time of the explosion engaged in manoeuvres, in which most of the fleet jras also participating. OCCURRED DURING MANCEUVRES IMMEDIATE INQUIRY TO BE HELD. SAN PEDRO, February 19. The Wyoming, accompanied by the flagship, Pennsylvania, arrived and anchored, and the injured were removed to the hospital ship. The arm of one was amputated, and a priest administered the last rites to two who are believed to be dying. Among the dead are Captain Edward Trumble, of the Marine Corps, who was believed to bo directing the firing. The others jrere enlisted marines. The tragedy occurred during the final manoeuvres of four days of secret exercises in which 12 ships and many aeroplanes, 3,700 marines, and 750 sol diers were engaged, with 100 vessels shielding the grounds from the public. It is learned that the shell exploded while being loaded into the breech of a gun which was being fired to cover the operations of landing parties from small boats. It is announced that a naval board of inquiry will be named'to sit on board the Wyoming, probably to-morrow. This is. the first, such naval disaster since July 28, 19136, when two sailors were killed and nine injured in a gun explosion. Officers who were witnesses of the explosion said that a powder charge bursting in an improperly-closed breech caused the blast, which sent fragments and razor-sharp splinters of metal through the bodies of the gun crew agonist the bulkheads.