New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-12
THE VIRGINIUS.
INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF SINKING.
PRECEPr OF THE SECRETARY OF THE HAvY-JHF

lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUN


WASHINGTON Jan. 1.-THE following III the pre-
| cept of the Secretary of the Navy converting the
Naval Court OF Inquiry to examine into the circum
stances attending the sinking of the Virgnius
RearAdnstral CHARLES ii. DAVIS u 4. ~, Hash,ngion
ID. O.:
BY virtue OF the authority contained In the the
better government Of the Navy OF the United States,
proved July IT, 1868. hereby appoint RearAdmiral
Charles II. Davis, President; RearAdmirai John L.
worden and Commodore John II. Howell,
members and Capt Luce, Judge Advocate, OF
o Court Of Inquiry which liz ordered to convene
at the Navy Department Wednesday, the It'll
day Of January A. d. 1874 for the purpose OF nquir-
ing into the and particulars Of the laundering on
about the 18th day OF December, 1879 of Cape Fear
Of the steamship Virginus recently delivered by the
Spanish authorities at Bahia Honda, Cuba into the pos
session OF the United states. The court will inquire
First: Into the exact condition OF the Virginus in
every department when che was delivered 70 the united
States officers at Bahia Honda on Dec 10. 1879. =
Second: As to what necessary to be done TO her
to prepare her 70 60 to the Tortnsas to ,o ,s,oe
Fourth: As to her condition when she arrived at the
slzth As to the and extent Of the examination
that made Of her condition after her arrival az the
Serenm: As to what necessary 10 be done TO her
to prepare her to go to New;York ,o.o % ,,o
Torugas to prepare her for her passage to New York
gas, and afterward daily during her passage toward
New-York until she finally sank
Tenth As to the immediate and remote causes OF the
sinking OF the said vessel
And finally, they will report fully 10 the Navy Depart
men upon all the above points in order that all the facts
in connection with the sinking OF the Vrgnius may be
clearly estabished and they will ase recommend any
further proceedings which they may deem necessary IN
the case.
Given under my hand at the Navy Department OF the
United States this third day Of January, 1874
GEO. NJ. robson Secretary OF the Navy.
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE NAVAL COURT-sTATEMENT
OF CAPT. WHITING IN REGARD TO THE CoNDl-
TON OF THE vEssEL-srATEMENT OF ENSIGN
CALHOUN AS TO TIE PARTICULARS OF IHE
SINKING.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPArcH.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE US. Naval Court
to inquire into the exact condition Of the Vrgnius
when she delivered TO this Government, her con-
dtion generally before and during her voyage from
Bahia Honda for ToruRas, and the immediate and re-
mote causes Of sinking, yesterday examined Capt
VIM D. Whiting, Chief Of RearAdmiral ScOtt's staff, TO
whom the Virginius deivered Lieut.. Mark who
commanded the Vrgiuius from Bahia Honda to her an
chorage at Tortugas and Engineer Harris who made an
inspection OF the vessel at that point Capt Whiting
testified that, at the time he took charge OF the
yirgnius, the engines showed want OF care,
but there no appearance OF any leaks about the
vessel The Spanish officer who turned the vessel over
to Capt Whiting reported that she made water and was
Obliged to be pumped out IN "a hours. small
leak was discovered in the vrgnius when she arrived
at Tortugas which appeared to have been stopped by
filing in with cement. The Vrgnius put IN neces-
sary repair at Tortugas for her voyage to New-YorE
Had 1t been possible Capt Whiting would have locked
her. as Of precaution, to repair the leak He
considered the Virginius in condition to make the
voyage to New-York in fair weather and IN convoy OF
the Osspee.
- no cfptn
given yesterday by Ensign Geo. A. Calhoun, who was
on DO ard the vrgnius from the time she left Bahia
Honda to sinking the 26th Of December and who
WAS executive officer and navigator. His testimony
shows that considerable eXortons were necessary TO
keep vessel clear Of water from her start from the
Tortugas. On the morning Of the 2sd OF December
water gaining fast, being nearly up to the CRATE
bars in the fre-room, and the Ossipee signaed,
Making badly 90 ahead faster, that we can
work our pumps" Afterward signaled the Osslpee,
Stand in toward land" At ga IN. on that morning
threw overheard old iron and heavy weights and took
other means to tighten the vessel, and at
$50 p. m. same day one hre IN the Tor
ward hreroom extinguished by water sgnaed
to the Osspee "wl red lantern tonight in case
we need assistance" Also sgnaed, Water rising in
fore hold can 90 further north; dock at Charleston
The Osspee answered, Is water rising In your IRE
roomp Reply: Eyes; six inches IN last half hour.
Ossipee-" Can you hold out till daylightP Answer
eyes: IL forward bulkhead holds out" Ossipee-"We
are hound for Charleston" On Dec "a Chief Engineer
King OF the Ossipee went board the Vrginus to in
spect her boilers tho crownsheet OF the afteTboer
having collapsed and s25 o'clock same day the Ossi
nee signaled, I'VE will continue up the coast" Her
course WAS then changed to northeast On Dec. rs
there was moderate gale and rough sea. The hawser
parted early in the morning, but was afterward
secured and in the afternoon the Osspee was sgnaed
to take of the Att p IN. the men came aft and
that some arrangement be made TO leave the
ship they being entirely exhausted. The leak oeing
some what reduced, the Osspee signaled, !" Can
hold out until morning." On Dec. &c, there was heavy
sea At Sin the morning the Osspee signaled to take
of the persons board and these began to abandon
the shin about in the morning The dropped into
the boats by means OF line from the orecaste The
boat made five trips taking about 10 persons each trip
About a. M the last boat left the ship, taking the Off
GERS and few personal effects.
Capt Gore Jones Of 1.-THE British Navy and Gen. sher
man were in the courtroom during the proceedings and
paid their respects to the officers Of the Court.
THE OWNERSHIP OF THE VESSEL.
WHO FURNISHED THE PURCHASE MoNEY-HOw THE
REGISTER WAS OBTAINrD-sTATRMENT OF A
FORMER CAPTAIN
The principal evidence in regard to the
ownership OF the virgnus among the papers recently
sent 70 based upon the statements Of Capt
Francis E. shepperd The following are extracts from
the deposition Of Capt. Shepherd taken May 1872,
before IT, g. Commissioner Putnam of the Southern Dis
trict OF New-York:
Third That this deponent was employed by ]. X.
Roberts Of the City of NewYork IN the month OF Sep
tember 1870 to navigate and command the said steamer
Virgin alias Virgnius from the Navy Yard at washing
~ tha nistrict of Columbia, to the port OF New