New-York tribune., 1876-09-30
CHARGES AGAINST A NAVAL CAPTAIN.


INQUIRY INTO THE MANAGEMENT or THE ALASKA
The court of inquiry, composed of COmmo-
dore John Guest, Capt George NJ Ransom, and Capt j.
c. r. De Kraft met tho NayyYsrd yesterday for the
purpose OF taking testimony relative % the management
OF the United States shp Alaska under tho command OF
Capt Alexander A. semmes Tho sessions Of the court
arc strictly secret. Capt w D. Brown OF tho Marine
Corps attached to the Alaska, VINO s TO be ried by
court martial under charges Of disrespcct TO Capt
seuunes was the onIyiwiness called yesterday. He
kept under examination for about four hours and had
bundle Of papers OF considerable size. Ho refused 20
give any information 10 the points he was examined
upon or 10 state To what the examination was leading
His examination was finished, and lie ordered 10
appear before the court this morning The number OF
witnesses likely 10 be called could not be- learned but
from the fact orders issued not 20 allow OF
the officers leave the ship while the court IN scs
si0u It inferred that Others were 10 be summoned
The officers OF the vessel Inclined to be rcticcn, in
regard 10 the management OF the vessel but SAY that
since Capt semUes took command Aug Z, 1875, the
people on the ship have been unhappy. They convey
the Impression that Capt scmmes's manner OF discipline
and treatment OF all under his command have not been
such as TO meet their approval, The crew denOunco
the commander, and say hat they saye been over
worked and nlTcatod. In November 1879, IheuenaDt-
Commander Tracy, the executive Ohcor. "aS complained
OF by Capt semmes for not being strict enonSh with
the men, and was detached. one Of tho crew, an
ton which was confirmed by others. lie accuses Capt
senmes OF illtrcamen OF the men, particularly nile
on the African coast where they drilled every day
in ,iio brong hot SUM- including Saturdays which sail
org arc generally allowed FOR sewing aud repairing
clothes or one 1ccG sion boat % d. hOiscd from
the water 10 the dayits The port watch" called
for this bus not hosting It IN satisfactory manner, were
ordered lower u and hoist it 27 tunes IN succession
When of Cape Pamas on the coast or Iibcria, bnat
from a IdbrTiau ElnbJdt out ana tnfnrEIed tho
coptain that II he not careful ue would run on
the reef which was then In sight III short
time and In the middle OF Ghe day, the yes-
srl ran the reef, and q part OF
tbA false keel war torn Off when tho Alaska left the
coast Of Liberia zoe navigator, LeutenantC Commander
Mcturey advised that the vessel run of to the west
ward about 900 mie order that 10 might be carried
ignored the vessel became becamcd and IL took 65 Gys
and 10 hours Madeira. Provisions were short
and tho put on nunrterfatOns recelV-
jnR hardly agv more bread than would
ers furnished them provisions, and their ratons
Were led 70 three-fUurths. While on short
allowance TIE men were drilled every day In the
burning heat 81 bending and ubendng sails and scrap
ins sIarr T3s rtty officers were delegated 10 appeal
10 the naptaip for n suspension Of the drills while the
men wer. ON rations The reply they received was
an order % 80 forward and threat that u they over
aft again with such petition they would De put IN
double irons The alEO complain OF the captains
obligng them % tow load Of coal while III Ma1er1a
Nth the therlpmcter llOo in the shade The distance
was seNsl les against strong current, and IL took
them four aHrs tO steam launch was attached
10 the We G but the captain failed 10 send IL ~ their
assist4D several other charges made agQlhst
{. ~. ssl, and many Of them have been sent 10 the
Ngr. tscpfrmsnt The Court OF Inquiry is preliminary
20 gl.t supposed Will ba couTtmariaI. Meanwhile
The Ve Getting nd OF all loose rigging and stores
prepa:'.. 20 going out OF commission.