The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-09-02
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WASHING TON.
WASHINGTON, September l.
The vauassett ttInyestigation.

ASHlNGTOfi CSPtehoNA -
The Wauaasett investigation.
The report in the Wawasset case was
given to the press to-day. The Com
missiouers say that Captain Wood fail"
ed to n eet the requirements OF the law
in his capacity as master OF a passenger
steamer, and that Robert NJ. Gravatt'
mate on the Wawassett, was without a
United States certificate Of license, and
was equally ignorant Of the require
ments Of the laws, rules and regulations
governing steamboat inspection. They
revoke the license OF Robert Nash, eo-
sipeer of the Wawassett. Phey make
various Recommendations with view
TO increasing the safety OF steamboat
travel. In the opinion of the Commits
sioners the fire department on the Wa
vassett was not organized in accordance
with the steamboat act. Ifit had been,
and also been properly worked, they
think the majority, and probably all of
the passengers might have been saved.
They declare that the Potomac Ferry
Company was running the Wawassett
in open violation of the law, not only
as to the number OF passengers but also
in employing unqualified men, ard re-
commended that steps be promptly
taken by the Government to punish
toe Company to the full extent OF the
law, and to punish Captain Wood and
Gravatt for following their vocations
without license.
The inspectors state thatthe Wawas-
sett was considered sea-worthy in all
respects, and was allowed TO carry
thirty cabin and twenty deck passseu-
gers and edds: 1--WE do not believe
the statement OF the officers that they
did all that was possible under the cir
cumstances TO save the lives OF the pas
sengers." Referring to the testimony o.
Captain Woods they say the saving OF
the boat seemed to be uppermost in his
mind, to the exclusion, at first, of the
preservation Of the lives OF the passen"
gers. most OF whom were helpless wo-
men and children, and cite his own
testimony in support OF this opinion.
Attention is called to the fact that the
evidence given at the Investigation, by
both officers and crew, coincide
m all particulars. They ass
sert that there was no time
to do more than was done; that there
was no opportunity to save life; and
every man was employed In the best
manner wherever he happened to be
ON hand; that boats, plauks, &c, were
thrown to those overheard, and that
the hose was laid, but water could not
be applied. This testimony, say the
Commission, is seriously contrsdlcted
by some passengers Of more intelligence
perhaps, and cooler observation. The
fire is supposed to have originated in
the fireman's room near the back con-
oection OF the boiler, and inspectors
therefore should require all bulk heads
boiler matches, and other wood work
near or around boilers Of all steam ve5-
sells to be covered with metal, leaving a
sufficient space for air TO circulate be-
tween such metal coverings and wood
work, as O preventative against future
disasters to steamers by fire. The Com
mission find that J. Il. Wood master
was acting without license; that he had
no orgauI cation or discipline whatever
in the fire department on board his ves-
sci; no officer was especially des-
ipuated to take charge OF the
boats, liIe-preseryerS or pumps; no
printed instructions were posted up con-
cerning the manner Of using the lie
preservers or other life saving applian-
ces. and women and children were
deserted in the hour OF their direst ex-
uemity. If the hose had been attach
ed to either OF the pumps, or one or
hoth of them promptly used in connec-
gioo with the fire extinguisher and
,smoGheriug pipe, the latter of which
was Gnder the entire charge OF the
engineer. we firmly believe the fire must
have been put out and the dreadful
calamity avoided. The negligence and
misconduct Of the chief engineer prior
TO the burning OF the steamer as W ell
as bis unotficer like conduct after
deserves the severest condemnation anC
highest penalty prescribed by law
Therefore the revocation OF thI
license of Robert Nssh as engineer
on steam vessels within the juris'
dictiou Of the United States is ol iered
The report bears the following en-
dorsement to the Supervising luspec
tor General OF steam vessels:
"Sir: | have carefully read sll tn
,astimony in the case OF the disaster o
h, steamer Wawassett and the repor
OF the Board OF investigation and hearth
" cenear in the decision OF the Boar
signed.
John NJ ENsuAw,
Supervising Inspector.
Sir: have received the testimon,
&c the within case OF The Wawasset
disasler. Also the report OF the BoarC
Of Education and concur in the deeisio,
OF sad board
D. D. Smith,
SuperSivitis Inspector General.
The above is respectfully referred t,
the solicitor Of the Treasury.
rSigned W. 0. RiouARosox,
Secretary OF Treasury.
After reviewing the case, the solcito
will take immediate steps 10 p7osecu;
the offending parties according TO law
The Ku Kiux I'm Kontusky.
II is understood that it is unfavorabl
1or the civil authorities to arrest ID
Ku Klux Of Kentucky, and the aid ,
:4s military will be asked. No actor
will be taken until the return Of tn
Attorney General.
The weallh OF Oake es Ames.
The settlement OF the estate Of 0ake
Ames shows that his wealth was twI
millions instead Of u;x nnI ha uas ,