New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-16
INVESTIGATING A WRECK.
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON INQUIRY

TESTIMONY OF THE MEN on THE LOokooI-hfFH''
or STEEL OS COMPAssES'
HALIFAX. July 15.--The Court of Inquiry into .ne
wreck Of the City Of Washington resumed us ''''"s
at p. m to-day.
John Green. nuarternagter. testified: This was nv
first voyage on theishlp she steered wen uu''1 W"
first 80 hours VIC had clear weather. all tho rest OF tne
voyage there was dense fog; no soundngs we're taken
during the voyage ~ my knowledge saw no stars aer
the first two days at have been going 70 sea ~
years understood all about ship; according 70 MY
idea the City OF Washington in good order tbat u
she had full complement OF aud everything neces
sary was on the watch at the time the ship struck
there was nothing to lead to think that she was near
the coast the weather at the time thick as could
be never knew such thick weather in my life rs on tins
VOYAGE at the time the ship struck the usual number OF
persons were on lookout was on the foresde OF the
pot-house keeping lookout the crew we're At their
proper stations at the time; the captain Twas on tho
upper deck more used on this occasion than
ever saw before on the ship.
J. H. Gosson testified Am an ablebodied seaman;
did not take the wheel during the voyage my duty was
TO make and shorten sail when orderedi the weather
was clear during the first two days but dense FOG pre-
vailed after that do not think the poestar coun ha'o
been seen after that the lookout TN tho stat
board bow when she struck could not see nan INC
length of the ship; did not any boats or
at any time before struck did not notice the color
often enough TO permit observations to be taken.
David Kenny testified: Am able seaman; my
duties were the general duties OF seaman only TOOK
the lee wheel clearing Tdsnet Rock the weather
was not very clear dense fog prevailed AFTER the hrs
two days. when the ship struck was on the port SIDE OF
the forecase on lookout duty; heard no fogDeis OF
horns and saw no boats sea-weed before the snip
struck all who were on duty at their posts when
the ship struck saw nothing that would lead me 70
suppose we were near the coast.
The CAUSES OF COMPASS DEVIATION
Henry Main testified Was purser Of the vessel; have
been Is years at sea with the Inman Company nave
been in the City Of Washington five or six trips ana De
heye her TO have been rstclass ship; her cargo con
sisted OF STEEL and 400 500 boxes OF tin and sun
dries have sailed in another ship having steel or iron as
her cargo IL was the Vigor In 1850 from NewYork 10
Liverpool her cargo had among other things "a cases Oh
sewing machnes observed on that occasion deVla-
Walton az near as can remember, Of about is day In
the compasses during the voyage; the weather WAS
clear and we discovered the deviation by observation;
the deviation was first noticed when on Cape Race
made the return voyage in the vessel, but no do
Walton was noticed the sewing machines having been
landed; when the captain first discovered the deviation
he asked II had any steel such as knives iorAs'
&C. on board, aud If they had been moved from ther
proper place answered in the negative; he then e1
amned the manifest and found the entry OF the sewing
machines which was taken 70 account for the devla
weather continued fine, and observations were daily
taken; would say from my experience at that time
that the quantity Of steel on board the CITY OF "ashng
ton was sufficient TO account for her compasses Oebg
ont tho error the eOmpasses was not discovered In
this instance as the have cted because no oo
servatons could be obtained; tue rails were stoWeo IN
the main hatch.
EVIDENCE REGARDING soBRIErY.
John Kitchen chief steward, testified: Been in tho
ship four months; had every opportunity OF observing
the conduct OF the captain and officers during that ne
did any inebrety on their part was In tho
pantry the ship struck; there was no eonson Or
difficulty of discipline IN getting the boats out after the
ship struck.
Frederic Airley sworn: Was barkeeper OF the City OF
Washington; did not supply the captain any liquor
during the voyage; only supplied the second ohcer on
one occasion; he had at Queenstown pint OF chain-
pagne and aferward at different times during the Foy
age supplied him with three bottles of beer dld not
observe any nebriety the part OF the officers what
ever have been barkeeper OF this ship and on three OF
the ships belonging TO the nman hne the officers OF
the CITY of Washington much abSalners as any
l ever saw.
Can't. W. Robert Phillips recaled-The ChiefOfhcer,
Mr. Sheen took bearings Of the Polar STAR as reeouea
10 the ships log ; well aware the ships log was
written up every day; examined it the scrap log was
examined by daily. and given to tho ehletonlcer 70
COPY with the shpss log; the scrap los was lost got
the variations from the Admiralty Chart after the
first officer got the bearing Of the Polar Star worked
with variations and deductions therefrom was never
laid I'D at any time during the voyage
Alexander Starsmith Captains servant sworn an
IA years OF age understand the nature OF an oath
TO the best of my knowledge the Captain was strictly
sober during the whole voyage never saw drihAns
take place IN the Captains cabin.
The Hon. Jeremiah Northrup sworn: made the pas
sage with Capt. Phillips about five years ago. when he
was in command Of the City Of Cork; considered the
conduct OF Capt. Phillips rstcass; also considered
him well acquainted with his duty ana IN every way
fitted for his position merchant OF this city and
Senator; Capt. Philips never touched liquor came
here casually and not at the request " Capt Phllps
Capt Phillips recalledI was never incapable OF doing
duty from sickness during she voyage during the last
six days and nights never took my clothes ON IRON
anxiety about the ship.
n ia not likely any more witnesses will be examined
The Court adjourned until Thursday next, when Judg
ment will be gwen.
ARRIVAL OF PASSENGERS
BosroS, July 15.-One hundred and fifty
passengers from the wrecked City OF Washing
ton arrived here by the Somerset to-day