Ferndale, CA Cannon Explosion, May 1908

OLD CANNON EXPLODES AND INJURIES MANY

Eureka, Cal., May 19.---News was received here from Ferndale, a small town on this coast of Humbolt County, of the explosion of an old cannon which had been brought to salute the passing battleship fleet. The report says that one man was killed and several persons injured.

The names of the killed and wounded and the details have not been learned here. Ferndale is an out of the way place.

The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, AL 20 May 1908

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TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT PASSING OF FLEET.

EUREKA, Cal., May 19.---As a result of the explosion of an old four-inch cannon which was being used to fire a salute to the passing Atlantic fleet today, one man was instantly killed, three women and one boy dangerously and a dozen more slightly injured.

Hundreds of people of Ferndale and Eel river valley had assembled at Centerville beach to watch the fleet pass. An old cannon was secured at Ferndale and brought out to fire a salute. At the first charge the cannon exploded, instantly killing Ike Davis, the gunner. Miss Church of Grizzly Bluff, was struck by a fragment of the gun and had an arm and one leg broken. Miss McDonough was severely injured. Eugene Stone, a boy, had a leg broken, and Mrs. Frank Slingaby was painfully injured.

The Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise, ID 20 May 1908
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!