New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-19
THE BABASET INVESTIGATION.


NOBODY IN CHARGE OF THE LIFE-BoArs-rHE OR
. IGN OF THE FIRE STILL MYSTERY
WASHINGTON Aug. 18.-The Wawaset steam
boat Investigation was resumed this morning The tes-
tmony OF the witnesses to the effect that no par
cular person officer of the ship was engaged in con-
trolling the hfe-boats. possession OF which had been
taken by the passengers in such manner ana IN suen
large numbers as to render them useless The officers
engaged in the fore part Of the boat were actively en-
poyed in trying TO save the boat and passengers but
they unable TO pase art, owing 10 inc dense vol
umes of smoke and flame.
Capt Gedney superintendent OF the Potomac Ferry
Company, recalled. and requested to furnish the
Commission with sample OF the oil used on the boat
He said there kerosene OIL but that 1t was coal
OIL more than gallon OF which was not allowed on the
boat at any time The trips OF the steamer being during
the day the oil kept IN the wsshroom opposite the
Other witnesses stated what they knew OF the disaster
one saying that the flames burst forth about
three minutes after he had the engineer in the
engineroom there was no smell or matches OF kero-
Robert Nash the engineer being recalled. said he did
think the fire originated in the back draugat OF me
room everything pointed that way.
Vim. McKenney, barkeeper on the Wawasett testified.
TO the best OF his knowledge that none OF the officers
had been drinking at the bar, very few of them or
OF the being drinHng men; when witness left TEN
porariy he asked NASH the engineer 10 keep an eye on
the bar say any applying for drink that he
would return; he did not know that Nash had az
any time served liquor none or tire ofhcers nad any
pecunary interest In the bar in way witness paying
rent for the privilege water was thrown on tue fire
from buckets only he had heard the engineer say That
he could not to the donkey engine for the purpose OF
working the hose; witness thought 10 was Impossible 10
save the boat after the flames had broken out Nash was
as sober temperate man as he had ever seen he
seldom drank spirits, aud witness had known him To
refuse TO drluk with passengers saying: Your lives
are in my hands I've duty to attend u, ana VIII not
DO it."
before the boat reached Smiths landing he saw Nash,
the engineer behind the bar serving qnor from black
bottle TO young the next flme witness saw Nash
he outside the door, when somebody told him the
boat was on this not many minutes after Nash
was In the baFroom; the engineer parily1ed with
testified that waited him and another passen
ger serving one. emoDsrup 90 the other ale In the
bar-room The smoke smell of Oily waste or packing.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRg8UNEi
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-The most Important witness
I'm the Wawaset Investigation to-day was WIN. Emerson
an Alexsndriau, aud the only passenger who had
acient presence of mind TO procure and use life
preseryers by which his life and that OF his niece
were saved He went below aud twice the entire length
Of boat after the alarm was given, and said that the
passengers had plenty OF time 10 have forward To
place OF coinpa ratiye safety. He testified to having
seen the engineer in the barroOm. and have pur-
chased of him ale and lemonade while another witness
said be had seen the engineer selling whisky several
witnesses testified that they attempt made 10 use
hose nor 10 work tho pumps aud coored passenSes
stated that tie engineer appeared 10 he psrN Win
fear. The Investigation Will probably close tolorroH'
unless the nGuy have other witnessed 10 sustain
their side OF the Much Of The Testimony Is merely
cumulative, and repetition OF that ALREADY gwen,
while much II and irrelevant, admitted
witDont regard " the rules Of evidence