The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-13
THE METROPOLIS.
WHAT THE ASSISTANT INSPECTOR OF HULLs AT
NEW YORK SAW AND WHAT HE DID NOT SEE

WHAT THE ASSISTANT INSPECTOR OF HuLLs AT
NEW YORK SAW AND WHAT HE DID NOT SEE
PunADKLPMA Feb. IL, 1875
The examination by tho government inspectors into
the condition OF the Inflated Metropolis before put
to resumed this afternoon and the first wit
called was Andrew Craft Assistant Inspector Of
Hplls at Now York. HIS testimony differed very much
from tina, OF other officials supposed be experts,
for he dcposed that when he examined the Metropolis
December he could see no indication OF weakness
or rotten wood
She showed sign Of weakness from working of
the knees in Tho lower hold between decks nor OF
the scsrts OF the panks then gave her certificate
for freight only from the fact that they did not want
passenger certificate; on the 10Th oil January 1873
was called again 10 1t the ship out with hic-saving
appliances; then went through the ship again be-
tween decks. lore and aft, as lar could get. and
could discover nothing in the shape OF weakness; did
not bore the ship from the TACT that he ship
stripped down from 10 thirteen feet IN 1875 the
wales were stripped from forward to where the new
piece was put In amdshps and uit some
distance 70 SEQ If the timDers were good saw that
done anu am sure that sne was We'll lifted with
lifesavng appllabces the condition OF he ship MS fur
as could see was good have been inspector since
April, 1865 IN my judgment considered her sale
aud SOUND enough tor voyage TO Brazil or would
never have gwen my SIGNATURE in looking Tor weak
rotten TIMBER generally look asst OF the
kuecs beams, and usual looked all over
! am shipwrisht by trade, and was
twenty-five years IN shipyard. having learned
tho trade wiz Patton L. Hahn, where
stayed TWO years, ana after tueir failure went wih
Finch & futile, and aiterward worked twenty-five
years as jourDeyman was foreman oil a 'iongshore
gang repairing, and have had 100 men ut a time
pairing vessels and have helped build new vessels,
having charge OF several gangs laying down vessels
and III rough work; was told that the Metropolis
tho old Stars snd stripes, but time after
the inspection; tnInk vessel Gun be Iengthen ned If
proper care is taken IN setting The tmbers. but do not
know what part OF The old stars and Stripes remained,
but was told tho Two ends.
WHAT lie NOT
On further examination the witness admitted that
he did not examine the stern post ana the dead
where the atii leak aferward occurred that
the ship. his reason Tor not having sounded this part
OF the ship WAS because she wus ia tho water. He
also Admitted that lie knew nothIDg about the copdi-
ton OF the ruddcr post OF his own knowledge.
John W. Blake, Ass slant Inspector Of Boilers at
New York. testified that he made the Inspection the
Metropolis boiers and engines on December l, and
found defective hue, which was aiterward repaired
according to directions.
PAUL.. White, the chief engineer OF the corps sen.
out b. tho Conses. aud A. W. Newton were aiso,ex-
amined, but they were not experts to the cond ton
OF the Metropolis, and their testimony was not oi
special value.