Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-23
GOODS FOR THE
H o IL II I'D n Y 9
-
WELLS & COILS.

that be as it may, / will say this, the
whistle may blow to pass to the left 1.-TWO
whistles), aud be definitely understood by
the opposite boat, and answered in the
proper way and in proper time, but still
there may be q collision. Pilots cannot
tell the exact distance boats are from
each other at the time they blow their
whistles, and this being so, how could
landsmen tell? The night of the colli-
sion was very dark, and gale was blow
ing from the southwest toward the north
east, a stern wind, or quarter wind from
the stern Of the America, as she was the
boat going up the rivsr-she was tall
boat, being double decker, and Of course
handled badly, on account of the wind.
There could have been mistake, as to
the berth each pilot thought he was Civ
ing to the opposite boat, and that might
have caused the mistake in passing Tor
trying to pass), and think it is quite
possible that one Of the boats took lit
tie dodge to the left, causing the collision.
The coal oil igniting was the sole cause
of the loss Of so many human lives.
There are people who have fabricated
stories Of their own in relation to the
duty of the officers of the boats, and who
appear to try to find fault with them, but
do not try to find cut anything in their
favor. Now l will say this land God
knows am disinterested person). the
Louisville and Cincinnati Mail Line
Company is the best managed, the best
conducted in every respect, the best Off
cered, the most punctual as to time, that
we have in this country. The officers of
these boats are brought up in the trade,
and none others are allowed to hold Office
in them. / say it openly and above
board, the world could not better the
crews of the Mail Line Company.
Just think of people censuring such
men as Capt. David Whittsn for not do.
ing his duty in such an instance as that of
the States and America. Who knew bet
ter than he what to do? No one. He has
navigated the Ohio river forty years, and
of course he must be No boatmsn.
/ know him to be such in every respect
Some think he did wrong in taking the
America in alongside Of the United
States to save the crew and passengers of
the United States, and in doing 60
sunk the yawl Of the States full of people.
Now, as to the sinking of the yawl of the
United States, does any one suppose that
Capt. Whitten knew that yawl was under
the wheel of the America? No. If he
had he would rather have lost his own
life than to have told the pilot to move
the wheel of the America while that yswl
was in danger.
Then again, they speak of Captain
Whitten taking his boat into danger to
save the lives of those on the States, af-
ter be was at a safe distance and the
States all in flames. Now suppose Capt.
Whitten had tied his boat to the bank,
when he could have done so, and stood
silently and looked on at the passengers
and crew of the United States burning to
death, aud made no effort to move his
boat to save them, what would the world
have said? / for one would have said,
Hang him to the first limb" But
Capt. Whitten, knowing what was best,
went to the relief of the poor creatures,
as a noble hearted man would have done.
He knew best. The Captain took the
chances Of losing his own life to save
others. He meyer took q thought as to
Capt. Wade, of the United States, is
second to no man as q captain of first
class steamboat on these waters, being
regularly brought up from aatboatman
to the position he held as captain of the
United States, one of the finest boats that
ever foated on the Ohio. He had the
experience of at least twenty years, and
a man more careful and attentive to his
business never lived.
The pilots are said 10 be the best on
the western waters, and know them to
be such. l am personally acquainted
with all the officers Of both boats, and
men better qualified here cannot be found.
Napoleon Jenkins, the pilot who was on
watch, at the wheel Of the America, at
the time of the collision, is called safe
and good pilot, and good steersman,
and has had experience as pilot for fit-
teen or twenty yearsin this trade. Capt
Charles Ditman, the other pilot of the
America, is the best and safest and most
careful pilot living, and has been brought
up from hoyhood in this line. He is
about forty years of age. Captain Jacob
1emeuue, pliOt Vi tuo lil-ldtcu Outtcu
who was on watch at the time of
the collision, is one Of the Oldest and best
pilots, and stands as high as such as any
man on earth; he has been in the trade for
twenty-five or thirty years, and he is
perfectly competent Capt Hamilton,
the ether pilot on the United States, is
one of the best pilots on the western
waters, and has been about thirty years
in this trade, and none can learn him
anything between Cincinnati and Louis-
vile. he is what / call careful man.
When such an accident as the above
occurs, with such officers, what may a
person expect in ordinary cases2
There were no hard feelings between
the officers Of the boats. The boats were |
never rivals, and excitement was never ]
gotten up as 10 which was the fastest
boat, or anything Of that kind. The
boats belonged to The same men. The
boats we're insured only for two-thirds Of
heir actual value. They were built for
he Louisville and Cincinnati Mail Line
Company. aud filed the bill as such, and
we're considered good stock.
The collision was undoubtedly one Of
hose unavoidable accidents which have
been occurring ever since the invention
1f mschinsE. No Christisn would |
throw oat any insinuations as