National Republican., 1874-06-02
THE COLLISION ON THE RIVER.

STATEMENTS OF SOME OF THE PAS
SENGERS WHO IS RESPONSIBILITY
SOME ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS COR
RECTED-LET THERE BE AN INvESTI-
CATION.
We have received several communications from
will be found annexed:
THE SCENE on BOARD.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., June l. lSA
10 GN Editor Of tie National Republican:
SHE In your report Of the collision that oc
the Government steamer Gettysburg Off Fort
Washington, which appears in your issue Of this
It the moment I The % pas.epTsrs Sc ssSssd % forward
on the Lady OF the Lake received orders TO 60 aft
did not do so, but stepped towards the guard, SO
went up from those rushing through the door,
and thirty seconds had not elapsed before the
Iron Prov of the Gettysburg came crashing
through the upper deck where stood, piercing IL
about ten feet long and six or eight wide. Half
minute sooner and many would have been In
jured; Twas fully impressed that the partof the
deck was on must be cut of, and that the water
liIe OF our vessel must be penetrated. At all
events, had fully made up my mind as quietly
the other vessel ! would do so. Our vessel was
struck upon the storboard side and not on the
larboard, as stated BY your reporter, who, l must
others jumped on the Gettysburg with me, ard
turning round we saw that the injury would not
prevent the Lady Of the Lake from proceeding on
her course.
After some not very complimentary remarks
from the officers on the Gettysburg towards those
who were managing the other boat, we were
politely put on shore at Fort Washington. i do
not know sufficient Of river travelling to express
IN opinion as to where the blame for this affair
should rest, but 1 am well satisfied that in no
case had anything but o Misunderstanding OF
each others intention as to the course TO steer,
anything 10 do with the accident.
hin, saw 1S With the En Of Gupr
regard to the officers on the Gettysburg. who the
Capital In yesterdays issue seemed to think were
the cause Of the disaster.
soon found out ON reaching the top of the hill,
near the fort. that was sixteen miles from
washington, D; O., with no opportunity to tsle.
that hour to carry mo there.
1prcPOsed to the others, who now had come up,
to walk to the city. They demurred instantly
Alexandria. I could not zee It, and having made
q few forced marches during my life, concluded
70 reach the Capitol BY the shortest route gIac,
Foote is over q succession Of hills rarely to be
met with in this vicinity. When was not cross
Ing over Gns 81 ahs% I'm or through the
creek. 1 am now fully satisfied that the people
who live near by these have never heard Of Mac
care. Anyway, am not SO smart nc now vas as W was
before undertook the journey. p,
The bell of ST. Aloysius wac striking halfpast
hours in getting to my destination. I was little
tired; not at all hungry, for Plant set q splendid
dinner before he let the Gettysburg disarrange
denouenIeat which followed. Ny companions who
so indiscreetly tried to save their lives by jump
ing on the Gettysburg, instead OF waiting to
or not. have not heard Of since, but 1 hope they
arrived homo safely as did, we'll satisfied with
the trip Of the Lady Of the Lake:
WILLIAM II. PLUNkETT.
ANOTHER VERSION.
To the Editor of the National Republicans:
Sir. Referrinp In the nntiea N ynnr of
this morning relative to the collision Of the q. s.
steamer Gettysburg with the Indy of the Lake of
as one Of the ave "Indiscreet" passengers who
went aboard the first-named vessel, to say that
we were not carried to Norfolk, as stated, but
which was lowered by the Gettysburg for the
purpose of taking US TO the Lady Of the Lake
and rendering her assistance II necessary. The
Lady Of the Lake, without any regard for her
passengers who had boarded the Gettysburg,
and without ascertaining whether any had been
injured or not, kept directly on her course. Some
Lake stated, in conversation with some passengers
who had been t'discreet" enough to remain on
board his vessel, that he was not aware that any
Ihem. This fact shows that he did not exercise q
proper amount OF care for the safety Of those who
we're temporarily committed to his care.
As to the action in boarding the Gettysburg
being 'ndiscreet, we beg to differ with you, We
lad very limited amount Of time TO go alUft be-
ween the order to do so and the striking Of the
1essels, and If the collision had resulted seriously
Is every one expected, q large number OF those |
Who remained on board would in all probability |
lave been drowned. The officers OF the Gettys-
,urg wero perfect gentlemen In their conduct to |
is, and were not in the least intoxicated, as re-
ported in the Capital They insisted that the |
accident was caused by the Lady OF the Lake not |
,ong to the side which she herself had Indicated
~ whistle, and condemned the conduct OF her off, |
ers in proceeding to Washington without stop |
ling to ascertain the fate Of hor passengers.
1t is very evident that the accident was the re- |
ult OF gross carelessness the part of some one
nd an investigation would not be amiss.