He was hurled with terrific force to the deck, where he lay motionless, mortally wounded.
Numbers 2 and 3 of the unfortunate gun's crew did not escape, the former being struck down with the hand lever, which penetrated his arm.

The injured men received prompt attention from the surgeon and his assistants, but Corporal Murray was beyond mortal aid.

He died ten minutes after the accident.
He was a good soldier, jolly and light-hearted, and a great favorite with the crew.

The peculiar feeling of antagonism which is supposed to exist between the sailors and marines did not obtain in his case.
In the navy the hammock which serves the living as a bed by night is also their coffin and their shroud.

It so served Corporal Murray.
[Illustration: "WITH A FRIGHTFUL ROAR THE DEFECTIVE CARTRIDGE EXPLODED"] Shortly after four bells (six o'clock) on the evening of the day on which the accident occurred, the boatswain's mate sent the shrill piping of his whistle echoing through the ship, following it with the words, doleful and long drawn out: "All hands shift-ft-ft into clean-n-n blue and stand by to bury the dead-d-d!" When the crew assembled on the gun deck in obedience to the call, the sun was just disappearing beyond the edge of the distant horizon.