Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-23
nae GREAT STEAMBOAT pisastsr.

We take the following communication
from the Courier Journal The writer 8
defense makes out an excellent charae-
ter for the officers of the colliding boats.
But there is a first time for everything,
and they who have been innocent, can
not be excused on that account, if posi-
tive facts show that they have become
criminal. In advance of the investiga-
ton, we may not know the facts. But
it seems strange that Capt. Whitten
should be the only man on both boats
that saved his trunk. And all excuses so
given fall short of showing that, by back
ing, as the law requires, or otherwise,
collision might not have been avoided.
If there was no rivalry, it seems strange
that there should be stubbornness on the
part of pilots, or insufficient room in q
wide river. Ordinarily such a collision
does not cost life to any great extent
The petroleum danger may not have
been thought of, and probably was not.
And we confess ell the circumstances
disclosed look too much like stubbor1
determination, on the part of two emf
nently qualified pilots, each to have his
own way, and determined to retain the
same path in the waters. The matter is
too serious in its results to be passed
with a merely lenient and friendly
criticism. In justice to the commu-
nifty of innocent travellers, to men,
women and children, whose lives arc
staked too often by the recklessness of
steamboat officers, the country demands
an exacting and severe investigation of
this matter, which will extenuate moth
ing, nor set down aught in malice. If
the officers of these boats are innocent,
let us know it, and let the reasons of the
collision appear, so that in future they
may be avoided. If guilty, we doubt the
policy Of deferriDg an example, calcu-
lated to enforce such care in future as is
necessary to prudence and the safety of
passengers:
PETERSBURG. BooxE Co, XII
December l8. 1868. J
lam one of the oldest boatmen now on
this part of the Ohio river, and have
probably done more boating, between
Cincinnati and Louisville, than any man
now living have been regular boat
man here for fifty years, and during the
last ten years have been engaged in the
diving-bell business. l probably know
more about the officers and crews and the
stockholders of the Louisville and Gin
cinnati Mail Line company than any un-
interested man in the world. / am the
man who wrecked the Daniel G. Taylor,
which was burned at the Louisville wharf,
and the Swiftsure, in Utica, Indiana,
after che had been sunk sixteen years. |
also wrecked the steamboat Dime, sunk
at Louisville, and partially wrecked the
Highland Chief at the head Of Vevsy
island. also wrecked the Inflated Gen.
Lytle, at Bethlehem, Indiana. These
items state only to show what have to
base nv opinion upon.
A great deal has been said in relation
tn the ill-fsied steamers (America and
United Siates) of the Louisville and Gin
cinnsii Nail Line, and desire 10 speak
n few words on a subject Of 90 much i'm
poriauco There have been many insin-
uaiions as to the conduct Of The officers
and their qualifications Every one who
was on board the boats tells bis own tale,
and Of course be thinks be is right. Some
think there was some Misunderstanding
as 10 the blowing Of the vhistlea Let