The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-21
THE wAWAssET INVESTIGATION.

Further Examination Of the Superin-
tendcnt Of the Potomac Ferry Conn
pany-rhe General Supervising In.
spector's Opinion or tho Disastcr-ssAb-
sencc OF Discipline, Order and Proper
Authority"
WASHINGTON, August 90, 1873.
Captain Gedney, superintendent OF the Potomac
Ferry Company, testified before the Wawasset
Commission to-day. The license for that vessel
called for 1870 cabin and twenty steerage passen-
gers; this was received nom the Georgetown Gus
tom House the last inspection allowed only thirty
cabin and twenty deck passengers; he afterwards
obtained permission to carry 500 additional passen-
gers on limited number OF excursions on the PO-
tomac RIVER the witness had no idea how the
mistake To the limitation Of the number OF pas.
sensers occurred on the last inspection, only these
being allowed.
never gave INSTRUCTIONS 10 hun to exercise the
crew IN IRE drl.
After further testimony had been given Captain
Smith, the General SUPERVISING Inspector, SAID
that he little thought 1vc weeks ago, when he
LETT this city tot observations on the Western
lakes. he would so soon return TO meet here as
a Juror In a court room. the gentlemen now pres
ent as a Commission, and under such painful ctr
cumstances the facts attending the disaster to the
IN the Law and justice TO those who mourn with
almost broken hearts the loss Of kindred de,
Commission would make o thorough investiga ton,
that the guilty might be punished and the limo
tcUt 10 lfct. Nofut pttroue tuouknt uuyOouy wal
M 20 take charge OF . steamboat, steam engine Oh
a steam boiler; but, rom his experience and OBJ
servation, sucn was not the fact. IL required the
best men In the cOuntry-those whose proficiency
hazarded no danger 90 life and property. He
trusted all connected with the Board OF Inspectors
would be very particular I'm licensing only men OF
the right stamp, both as 20 skill and private char.
acter. Prom the evidence OF the Super
intendcnt of the Potomac Ferry Company
aud OF the Captain Of the Wawasset, 1t
was evident there wac On absence OF discipline,
order and proper authority on that vessel; whe-
Their they could have saved the boat life by ne
cessary precautions he was unable to assert. He
would not say with his imperfect knowledge OF the
testimony, who was 70 blame, but he would repeat
that every thing possible should be done TO obtain
the truth. la or1er % form a right Judgment and
act accordingly. lie made these remarks TO the
Commissioners. because they were all steamboat
men, and, tn CONCLUSION. he expressed his hearty
sympathy and coincidence for those VINO had lost
tnef nearest and dearest. lie would not attempt to
picture their distress but they might imagine the
i0ss sustained and the deep gloom cast over many
n family circle. lie entered tns room with q deep
feeling OF regret and sorrow, not only because OF
this occsslon but because ~ shortened his trip 10
the Western waters. lie was anxious 20 be here
before the Commission closed, 20 give such aid to
the investigation as might be required and TO ex.
press MS sympathy for those who lost their friends
and relatives By the disaster.
The Commission adjourned until Friday