Incidents of the accident
Subject(s): Battleships, Braun, Peter J. (Peter Joseph), 1875-1904, Cowles, Wm. S. (William Sheffield), 1846-1923, Cox, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1875-1937, Davidson, William C. (William Christopher), -1904, Elliott, Halbert E. (Halbert Edward), 1868-1904, Florida--Pensacola, Gridley, John P. V. (John Paul Vincent), 1880-1904, Monssen, Mons, 1867-1930, Newmann, William E. T. (Edward Traylor), 1881-1904, Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Schepke, Charles S. (Charles Stephen), 1878-1933, Ships--Fires and fire prevention--Accidents, Ships--Fires and fire prevention--Accidents--Investigation, United States. Navy, Ward, Thomas C. (Thomas Clark), 1883-1904, Warships--Fires and fire prevention, Weichert, Ernest A. (Ernest August), 1877-1904
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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
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
12
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
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. [January 15, 2026]. 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. [15 Jan. 2026]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o48344.
APA:
United States. Office of Naval Intelligence., [2026, January 15]. Incidents of the accident.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o48344.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
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 Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 15, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
