The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-10
REPORT OF THE U. s. GRAND JURY.

Recent Steamboat Disasters Caused by
the Negligence of Engineers.
The following report of the Grand Jurors Of
the United States Circuit Court was presented
yesterday to Judge Billings:
To the Honorable the Circuit Court Of the United
States for the Fifth Circuit and District ol
Louisiana:
The Grand Jurors, with respect, report that
they have investigated. az far possible. all the
OH oumstances connected wit, with the loss &C Of
loon, to which their attention was
called by direction of the court. with the
view Of ascertsining whether the loss of life re-
sulting from the dsastersito those boats Is Just
" attributable to misconduct, negligence, or in-
ployed on board, or 10 fraud, osnnvance, mis-
conduct, or violation Of law on the part OF the
owners, or of the inspectors, or other public Off
GERS. They have examined ever thirty witnesses,
including the inspectors Of hulls, boilers, and
their assistants the, deputy col ector of Gus.
toms such other officers and crew as could be
found several Of the passengers and captaine,
engineers. pilots, carpenters and others, from
whom IL was thought reliable information could
be obtained.
On consideration OF the testimony, they are of
opinion that the explosion Of the boilers OF the
Oriole and Waloon was owing to the inattention
and neglect Of the engineers in charge, both OF
whom were xii ed.
ID6 bttdHlUuhb I1tuuh, Nv tue tlhb vi ubI lUeas
was owned by Messrs. jennie Canton and William
Muller, and was In charge OF MIR. Oliver Canton,
Jr., ~ master.
The evidence before us is not sufficient TO ena-
BILE us to charge the lameniable loss of life which
resulted from the sinking Of this boat to criminal
conduct on the part OF her officers nor to miscon-
duct or violation OF law on the part OF her own
ers, or Of the inspectors other pubic officers.
There was some conflict OF testimony in regard
10 the condition Of her hull. but 1t appears from
the evidence that she had been thoroughly re-
paired in dolk about six months previous to her
loss, under the direction and supervision OF
Messrs. Robinson and Cooper, inspectors for the
Board Of Underwriters Of this city, and four
months later had passed inspection by the as.
eistant inspector Of bulls. There was evidence
to The effect that the Emma, on the trip on which
she WAS lost, and on one or more previous trirs
had no licensed pilot on board. and that she had
carried passengers, although not licensed as q
passenger steamer.
The acts of Congress make ii the duty Of the
local board Of inspectors and OF the officers OF the
customs TO see that the provisions Of the law for
the regulation OF steam vessels are strictly OBJ
served by thoPe engaged In such navigation. A
more rigid police scrutiny into such matters
would, we think, tend to prevent such disastere.
We are also led to believe that more rigid and
thorough examination Of applicants for Incense
as captains, engineers, pilots and mates. should
be instituted in order to prevent incompetent
persons from occupying such responsible posi-
lions. Respectfully submitted,
9. L. CHASE, Foreman.
Nav OrIeana June q 1877