 Appearing before the SASC on December 11 , Moosally denied that Iowa had carried out illegal or unauthorized gunfire experiments . He added that his disparaging remarks about the quality of his crew had been misunderstood . Senator Sam Nunn asked Moosally if he agreed with the Navy 's conclusion that Hartwig had " most probably " caused the explosion . In a response that was widely reported in the media , Moosally answered , " I would not come out and say that . I would not make an unqualified statement that Petty Officer Hartwig is the guy who committed the wrongful act . I do not think I can do that . " 
