New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-21
WASHINGTON.
THE WAWASET INQUIRY.
THE OFFICERS IGNORANT OF THE LAVA SEARCH
ING INQUIRY PROMISED.

THE OFFICERS IGNORANT OF THE LAVA SEARCH
ING INQUIRY PROMISED.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-The Wawaset mves-
tigation will be completed on Friday the examining in
spectors having advertised for more witnesses. The
testimony this morning not Of much Importance,
but tended directly to show that the officers knew little
or nothing Of the legal requirements for their positions
the captain being ignorant that t necessary for
MIN to have @ license and stating that he had never
read the law under which steamboats, Inspected.
supervising IDpector General Smiths remarks to in
spectors and witnesses very pointed and emphatic
and indicate that he intends to make the remainder OF the
examination searching aud thorough. He declared that
oven from meager testimony to-day he was convinced
that there a want of discipline and order on the
poat II is reported tonight that the inspectors VIII
revoke the license Of the engineer.
THE MISTAKE IN THE LICENSE EXPLAINED RE
MARKS OF CAPT. SMITH, GENERAL SUPERVISING
INSPECTOR.
WASHINGTON, Aug 20.-Capt. Gedney, Super
infendeDt OF the Potomac Ferry Company testified be-
fore the Wawaset Commission to-day. The license for
that vessel called for 100 cabin and 20 seeraGe passen
gers This received from the Georgetown Custom
house. The last inspection allowed only 30 cabin and 20
deck passengers He afterward obtained permission to
carry 500 additional passengers limited number Of
excursions the Potomac River. The witness had no
idea how the mistake the Limitation of the number
OF passengers occurred on the last inspection.
Capt. Wood who recalled, said the superintendent
gave instructions him to exercise the crew IN
fire drill.
After further testimony had been given, Capt Smith,
the General Supervising Inspector said that he little
thought five weeks ago, when he left this city for OBJ
servatons the Western lakes, he would return
TO meet here juror in courtroom the gentlemen
now present a Commission, and under such painful
circumstances the facts attending the disaster TO the
Wawaset being under investigation yet their duty to
the law and Justice TO those who mourn with almost
broken hearts the loss Of kindred demanded this in
curry. He trusted that the Commission would make a
thorough investigation, the guilty might be punished
and the innocent go Free Some persons thought any
body fit to take charge of steamboat, steam en-
gine or steam boiler, but, from his experience and
observation, such not the fact. 1t required
the best men in the country, those whose pro-
hcieucy hazarded no danger TO life ana property.
He trusted a connected with the Board OF Inspectors
would be very particular in licensing only men OF the
right Kind both skill and private character From
the evidence OF the superintendent OF the Potomac
Ferry Company and OF the captain OF the Wawaset IL
and proper authority that vessel. Whether they
could have saved the boat life by necessary preeau-
tons. he unable to assert He would not say with
his imperfect knowledge Of the testimony who was to
blame but no would repeat that every hing possible
should be done to obtain the truth In order 10 FORM
right Judgment and 10 act accordingly he made THESE
remarks to the Commissioners because they were all
steamboat men, and in conclusion nc expressed MS
hearty sympathy and coincidence for those who had
lost their near and dearest. He would not attempt
to picture their Distress they might imagine the loss
sustained and the deep gloom cast over many family
circle. He entered this room with deep feellng OF
and only because OF this OCCASION but
because shortened his trip to the Western waters He
anxious to DO here before the Commission closed TO
give such aid to the investigation as might be required
and to express his sympathy for those VINO IOst tner
friends and relations by the disaster.
The Commission adjourned until FRIDAY.