National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-18
THE RIVER COLLISION.
WHAT THE OFFICERS OF THE LAX.
TESTIEIEn


WHAT THE OFFICERS OF THE LAKE
The naval court Of inquiry continued the tnves-
tigation relative to the late collision on tie Poto
mac at the navy yard yesterday.
The FIRST witness called was O. ]. Bonneville,
pilot of the Lady Of the Lake, who was on duty at
the time Of the accident. He testihed that the
Glymont on an excursion. When he nrst sighted
the Gettysburg she was from one half 10 three
quarters Of q mile ahead, As she nssrea us S5e
were running near the Virginia shore; .signaied
the Gettysburg by two whistles to keep 70 the
left and pass on the stagooara soc sninsms We
nearer the Maryland side than bpsual for vessels
to 20. Thought we were then al clear, and put
my helm to starooard; tnep saw ner Pow We cI hI
Again gave him two short whistles, and stopped;
backed with my wheel a-starbosrdi heard no re-
x sh 10 ons bnnSred s and sS yards Of us di,coy
working back When steamsrs meet in the chan:
ps nds.p ia s1 i { 70 sO
the ught-as rule Of the regulations says
would signal an approaching steamer 70 keep On
the signal, and II she answers accordingly, would
suppose 1t was all right, and pass that way; II
she does not comply with the signal, he should
the Gettysburg had put her helm to starboard
she would have passed clear Of us. When the
collision took place we were heading for the Viz.
the same direction. When he first saw the Get
tysburg the vessels were sufficient distance apart
to pass on either side. The witness examined the
and stated that they were the same that governed
the Lady Of the Lake in her course up and down
the river. He also stated that the fourth situa-
position Of the two vessels when the Lady of the
Lake signaled the Gettysburg; deemed It unsafe
to keep to the right, and blew two whistles be-
H. 49, co. hnwr nfN lnk
cause we sn9uia nave 70 cross tne pow Of tne Se.
Is no danger, to blow one whistle and port the
helm, which means to pass to the right. II each
vessel had held her original course the Gettys-
burg would nave passed on the starboard side.
The Lady Of the Lake was going at tho rate Of
thirteen knots an hour when we first sighted the
Gettysburg.
WILLIAM MARMADuKK,
wheelsman Of the Lady Of the Lake, was next
called. He testified that he was on duty in the
pilot-house at the time of the occurrence. When
little below Fort Washington signaled the Get
tysburg. She was then point and quarter on
our starboard bow, about half q mile distant
Gave her two whistles, to which she replied. Put
the helm Of the Lady Of thelLake to port, but no.
ticed the Gettysburg did not change her course.
Blew ne second signats when we're not sds "
strong. The Gettysburg was then about two hun
bred yards off and half point on our starboatd
bow. He Thought the engines Of the Gettysburg
starboard when the first signal was given. 1t was
placed 50 for the purpose Of hugging the Virginia
side Of the channel. If the steamers had kept
straight on when the first signal was given blythe
Lady Of the Lake the vessels would have passed
clear Of each other.
This witness stated that IT was to the advantage
Of the Lady Of the Lake to keep to the Virginia
side Of the channel, as they wished to avoid the
current, the tide being ebbing at the time.
After the close of the evidence OF this witness
it is expected the engineer Of the Lady Of the
Lake will be called. 80.