The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-04
TIE BRISTOL COLLISION.
Official Investigation Into the
Causes OF the Disaster.
How the Bessie Rogers Was Sunk Examinaticn
of the Pilot Customs Inspector and Harbor
Master-Fsg Signals Indispensable for the
Safety Of Vessels in the Harbor.
NEWPORT. r, l., Jan. 3, 1873,

NEWPORT, r. l., Jan. 3, 1879
The local Inspectors, Mcssrs. Beckwith and
Hovey OF the New London district, arrived here
for the purpose of taking the testimony relative to-
the collision last August between the steamer
Bristol and the British bark Bessie Rogers. The
object only for the purpose OF ascertaining the
conduct Of the officers. They met at the Custom
House at nine O'Clock this morning, when the f0l|
lowing testimony was taken:-
TESTIMONY OF THE PILOT.
George F. Fowler, Of Newport, sworn:-I hold ~
branch license as first class pilot for Newport har-
Dor, Providence River and vicinity; ON the
7th Of August last / boarded the British
bark Bessie Rogers and plotted her into
Newport harbor and anchored her In what we
call the roads at about half mile, more
or less, westward Of the breakwater, which is the
usual anchorage ofsquare rugged vessels waiting for
orders or bound up the river; it is not the usual
custom OF the New York steamers to come up that
side of the island, but when the inner harbor liz
filed with small craft and the weather-is thick they
then 90 Outsde did not take any ranges when
anchored the bark, only ran our usual range
when brought her In, viz, from the middle Of
the passage abreast the Dumplings to the Make
land House, which is from half to quarters OF
mile nOrth-northeast from the breakwater Light;
AFTER ANCHoRING THE BARK
and before leaving l told the captain to be sure
and keep Waterman on deck ana q good light
burning In the rigging at night, but did not tell
him. to ring pe Or blow y horn IN aSt wcssne
was sunk and found that she was In the position
anchored her; have anchored various vessels.
war, as near in the locality of where the Bessie
Rogers is as l could bring them. never
hs HsDo Master ordered to onase nr
anchorage, but l have anchored vessels in other
parts of the harbor which he has ordered to alter
hair 1
harbor and vicinity for about thlrty-hve years;
am not aware Of any law requiring vessel at
but should think that the captain Of vessel, for
his own vessels safety, would do so.
PETER wILKEY CUSTOMS INSPECTOR.
Peter w. Wilkey, sworn Am Inspector OF Gus
toms at Newport Ri by orders Of the G ,o Sr
Bessie Rogers on the Sh Of O August
to the cabin that night about nine O'Clock; before
going below noticed light set in the star
man on deck; / understood that the watch was
relieved once IN two hours; was lying on a lounge
shouting on deck, at about three O'Clock, on the
morning OF the 10th; within minute afterwards
deck and found the steamer Bristol had struck US
on the port side about amdships; got on board
the steamer as soon as ! co., could, being somewhat
deck; did not hear nor understand that the
Waterman on deck was to give fog signals in case
any fog signal either time; the last time awoke
have served in the capacity OF Inspector for about
twelve years, and during that time 1t has been the
custom to anchor vessels in that location, espe-
clally vessels that arrived here for orders.
STATEMENT OF THE HARROR MASTER
BENJAMIN w. Pearce, Harbor Master sworn
| am HarbOr Master of Newport HarbOr; was APP
| pointed by the city authorities; have held the
position for about nine years; my duties are TO
regulate the anchorage OF vessels entering into the
harbOr to keep them out OF the track OF steamers
! noticed the anchorage OF the bark Bessie Rogers
! In August last in the outer harbor, or what Is
| sometimes termed the r0adstead; / considered
| that she was anchored
OUTSIDE OF THE TRACK OF STEAMERS
| from New York, and should not have Thought oil
| moving her on that account; II q vessel was
! anchored near the breakwater light, to westward
OF 10, should order her moved so as to keep gOot
| open way for the steamers to swing, In either
going out or coming in, in case they went outside
Of Goat Island, which is only usual in thick weather
and when the inner harbOr Is hled with vessels OIL
| when they make their terminus at Newport; have
never had q complaint from vesse
anchored in the vicinity OF where the
Bessie Rogers :, was anchored; hay,
Vessels lying at anchor in the roadstead to ring
q bell in thick weather, but think II they did 1T
would be very good precauti0n against accidents
do not know OF any law or regulation requiring
vessel while lying at anchor TO give fog signal.
THE DIVERS INVESTIGATIONS.
John Waters, submarine diver, gave his testi'
mony as to the steamers damage as she lay SUNK
at the Coal Mines. This evidence concluded the
days proceedings, and this afternoon the III
spect0rs visited the steamer Bristol to make some
measurement having a bearing on tho case In
hand, after which they left for New London.