Vallejo, CA Navy Ship Yard Oil Explosion, Sept 1908

MACHINIST KILLED BY OIL EXPLOSION

Vallejo, September 19. – An explosion of 250 gallons of gasoline on board a barge moored abreast the submarine boats Grampus and Pike at the Mare island Navy Yard resulted in the death of Chief machinist TEDDY MAY and injuries to Lieutenant J. S. Townsend, Chief Gunner’s Mate W. H. Leahy and Chief Gunner’s Mate Mor-rin. (sic) Both submarine boats were badly scorched. The tender Fortuna and the tug Unadilla were also injured, the latter having been moored abreast the submarines and immediately catching fire.

The Evening News, San Jose, CA 19 Sept 1908

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BODY IS FOUND

Vallejo, September 26. – The body of Chief Gunner’s Mate THEODORE MAY of the submarine Grampus, who was drowned a week ago, when the floating machine shop was burned by the igniting of gasoline on the surface of the water, has been found by the light house keeper of the Mare Island light, having been washed up on te (sic) beach by the tide.

The Evening News, San Jose, CA 26 Sept 1908

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INQUIRY BOARD REPORTS ON SUBMARINE EXPLOSION

Findings Are Submitter to Commandant of Navy-Yard, Not Made Public.

Dolly Evans to Christen the Promtheous – Capt. Young Assumes Duties.

By the Associated Press.
VALLEJO, Sept. 26. – The report of the Board of Inquiry appointed to determine the cause of the explosion and fire on board a barge which was lying near the submarine boats Grampus and Pike, September 18, in which two lives were lost, was submitted to the Commandant of the Navy-Yard today. The contents were not made public. It is believed here that the report fixes the blame, in which case a courtmartial (sic) will follow.

The date of commissioning the monitor Cheyenne, formerly of Wyoming, had been changed from September 28 to October 2.

Word was received today at Mare Island from Secretary Metcalf of the Navy, in which Dolly Evans, the little daughter of Naval Constructor Holden A. Evans, who is now charge of the construction of the collier Promtheous, is named to christen the ship when she is launched December 5 next. The civic bodies are preparing to make the occasion a general celebration, as the Promtheous is the largest ship ever built here. Her contract price is $1,550,000.

Captain Lucien Young today assumed his duties as Captain of Mare Island Navy-yard.

Sunday Mercury and Herald, San Jose, CA 27 Sept 1908
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Transcribed by Jenni Lanham.