1901: The Missouri battleship # 11 (later reclassified BB-11) was launched at Newport News.  Her trials were held in Feb. 1904 off the Virginia Capes. She was then sent to the Caribbean for fleet exercises. During gunnery practice off Pensacola, Florida, a flashback in the aft turret caused the deaths of thirty six of her crew. There was no explosion but, the burning powder suffocated the men. Three men were awarded the Medal of Honor for bringing the fire under control and saving the ship.

They are;
Charles S. Schepke, Machinist Mate First Class
Mons Monssen, Chief Gunners Mate
Robert E. Cox, Chief Gunners Mate.

On Sept. 15, 1904 two more Medals of Honor were awarded, this time to two men who attempted to rescue a drowning sailor. Ordinary seaman Cecil C. Young apparently fell over board, Luovi Halling and Alexander Peters, both Boatswains Mates went in after him. They were awarded the Medal's for "attempting" to save Young who, I assume did not make it.

The Missouri took part in the Earthquake relief effort in Kingston, Jamaica in Jan. of 1907 and sailed with the Great White Fleet in December of the same year. In World War 1 she was used in Chesapeake Bay for training. After the war she made four trips to Brest returning troops to the USA.

The Missouri was decommissioned on Sept. 8, 1919 and sold for scrap in 1922.

© 2005 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com