The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-08
THE NEWPORT COLLISION.
INVESTIGATION BIT THE LOCAL STEAMBOAT M
sPEcToIs-IHFoRMAL EXAMINATION.

ASsESIloAIIoN BIZ THE LOCAL bIkANboAf In
sPEcToRs-NFoRMAL EXAMINATION.
NEWPORT, April Z, 1870.
The local inspectors Messrs. Burnham and Savage.
OF Boston, held investigation to-day al tho Custom
House, IN Fall River relative tho collision OF tho
steamer Old Colony. Of tho Fall River line, and the
Eous, OF the WEXFORD nc in this harbor. March FL
by order OF the government inspectors Tho investi-
CATION was protested against the part OF the owners
OF the Eolus, being carried outside Of the jurs-
ton in which the collision occurred they claiming that
investigation should be held In this inspecting district
Captain Reynolds. Of the Eolus being present, how
ever and having made his protest this effect without
waving any OF his rights IN the premises, expressed
himself willing 10 answer any questions that The IN
On this ground they into what the agent OF the
company. Theodore K Warren, regarded an informal
gave testimony according TO their views OF the col
lisiou. Two passengers belonging IN Boston, one OF
whom was on board OF tho Old Colony and the other
ON the Eous al the time OF the collision; Captain
Reynolds. OF the Eous; Captain simmons OF the Old
Colony Captain BENJAMIN Allen, Of the steamer City
Of Newport. together with Thomas S Na,n.s
Saunders, first pilot OF the Old Colony, were
sworn and examined, and therc were eight others
called All the witnesses wcrc summoned by the Old
Colony Steamboat Company, none appearing Tor tho
owners OF the Eolus, the latter responding that they
were not there Tor the purpose OF an examination
The inspectors reserved their decision and Will re-
port the result OF their investigation the Supervis
ipg Inspectors Office IN New York. The examination
OF to-day had nothing TO do with the question OF dam
ages but was simply TO which OF the captains was
TO blame and TO ascertain II there was sufficient ground
tor revoking the license OF either of them.
n. Is Titus, Boston, passenger on tho Eolus, testified
that he aft OF tho wheel; heard the Old Colonys
whistle and the Eous respond but did not think that
the Eous backed water. The substance OF his tcst-
mony was that he did not think tho proper
means were used 10 stop the Eolus- Captain
Reynolds testified that he was going through
the harbor NJ halt speed apd no heard the Old Colonys
whistle and responded but when he saw the Old
Colony so close he could not help coding but he
thougnt that II the Old Colony had backed water he
would have crossed her bows He thought the space
between HIM and the Old Colony about $50 feet,
and he could not stop his boat in season to prevent col
lision.
Captain Simmons was the next witness. Ho stated
that he blew whistle when he left his dock and also
slowly; he was able TO see the Eous very Clearly
With regard the Of the accident no testified
exactly opposite 10 Captain Reynolds, and he CON-
tended cmphatically that If the Eolus had backed
water the collision could have been avoided
Captain Allen OF this city who was at tho head OF
IN answer 10 question put by the Inspector as to
what could be done by the Eous to avoid the accident
He said that in his opinion, from his standpoint the
colding was unavoidable the distance between each
vessel being 30 short at the time they sighted each
other.
The owners OF the Eolus think this testimony viii
60 far toward cxonerating Captain Reynolds.
Thomas Collins, engineer OF the Eolus, followed Cap
tain Reynolds and the most important part or his tcs
tmony that he heard tho Captains bell TO stop
and back water and that the engine refused to answer
the first time, but 1t did the second.
Nathan Saunders, first pilot OF tho Old Colony, cor
roboracd in every particular tho testimony OF Captain
Simmons.