The Office of Naval Intelligence describes the outbreak of fire following the explosion of a gun during a training exercise on the USS Missouri on April 13, 1904, a fire that killed six officers and twenty-seven enlisted men. The report details the crew’s response to to the emergency and the evidence gathered in review of the incident. The writer states, “The discipline, readiness, and alacrity shown by every person in every department of the ship deserves highest approbation,” and he praises the willingness of numerous crew members to assist in the rescue of others, including three men who ultimately earned the medal of honor for their actions: Gunner Robert E. Cox, Chief Gunner’s Mate Mons Monssen, and Gunner’s Mate First Class Charles S. Schepke.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904

Creator(s)

United States. Office of Naval Intelligence

Publication Date

2019-06-20

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)

Original Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Papers

Repository

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Page Count

12

Production Method

Typed

Record Type

Multi-image

Resource Type

Memorandum

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation

Cite this Record

Chicago:

Incidents of the accident. [October 29, 2025?]. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o48344. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

United States. Office of Naval Intelligence. Incidents of the accident. [29 Oct. 2025?]. Multi-image. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 29, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o48344.

APA:

United States. Office of Naval Intelligence.: , [2025, October 29?]. Incidents of the accident. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o48344.

Cite this Collection

Chicago:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.

MLA:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. October 29, 2025. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.

APA:

Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Papers. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.