New-York tribune., 1874-06-02
TIE COLLISION on THE POTOMAC.

ARRIVAL OF THE GETTYsBURG-NoNE OF THE MAIE-
RIAL FOR THE SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION INJURED
ANOTHER VERSION OF THE ACCIDENT.
The United States war vessel Gettysburg ar
rived at the Nayy-Yard about yesterday with the
instruments and appliances on board for the scehtnc
corps engaged TO make observations OF the transit OF
Venus About co tons OF material were on board the
vessel and everything speedily transferred 10 the
Swatara Before p. all the stores on board the
latter vessel The contain five sets OF houses and
tents beside the scientific instruments which include
five splendid clocks, each being worth nearly sloo
The value OF the material is said to be about $4,000
The officers Of the Swatara were grumbing somewhat
about the way In which the stores were arranged Lad
and woodwork instead of being in sections, are put
together The materials for each station were not ar
ranged in proper order. comIcal incident Is
the fact that there are sectional houses Tor
Hobart Town, which is to be one OF the
stations This town has about 80 900 inhabitants, accord
ing the statements Of the naval officers One OF these
Indignantly said that they might rs well put them up
in Broadway" Materials can be purchased more
cheaply at Hobart Town, II building could be
obtained by the corps The scientific party. numbering
&c In ALL are ordered to be on board the Swatara on
Wednesday and IL expected that the vessel Will SAIL
Capt David q. McIstchie. the commander OF the Get
tysburg. was questioned by a TRIBUNE reporter last
Sunday night when the vessel ran into the steamer
accident occurred both vessels in mid channel;
The accident took place at about p m. 1t was still
clear, and each vessel could be plainly seen by the
other Between the time when the Lady OF the
Lake was sighted and the collision there was an
Of about Is minutes The Lady OF the Lake was
going up stream, while the Gettysburg was going
down. The former vessel blew two whistles; at this
time she about point and half on the port DOW
of the vessel The pilot OF the latter answered the
signal by blowing two whistles also, but Capt McRtehie
Immediately countermanded the signal and ordered the
pilot put his helm hardpOrt The order was imnedl-
ately Obeyed. Tho captain ordered the engines TO De
stopped and the vessel backed, but it was too late TO
prevent a collision. About three minutes elapsed De-
tween the blowing OF the first whistles and the collision
drunk, and was ready to vouch for the sobrety
OF himself and the officers Of the Gettysburg.
"Whoever is to blame" continued he, am willing to
bear the responsibility, for followed the rule OF the
road strictly. III had put helm a-sarboard IN ac-
cOrdance with tho blowing OF the other vessels
whistles, dire calamity would have happened. 1he
captain OF the Lady OF the Lake had right to blow
whistles, he on port bow" ln regard 10
the that the Gettysburg after the accident
had Immediately and hurriedy steamed away, the cap
tain said she lay there hour and landed the pas
sengers Of the other vessel The damage done to the
Getty sburg very slight. There was shock, and
Is would all the damage, and less than e2OV would
make good the loss sustained by the Lady OF the Lake.
An officer of the Gettysburg In narratng some OF the
incidents Of the collision said that the surgeon Of the
war vessel had Immediately offered his servicee to any
body who might be hurt but that Capt Partridge OF the
LADY of the Lake had replied with oath. Capt. Nc
Richie was formerly in command OF the Talapoosa aud
rece we'd the Grand Duke Alexis on his arrival In this