The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-01
THE METROPOLIS.

REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE TREASURY
TO SECRETARY sHERMAN-TAE OWNERS Ex-
CULPArED.
Another chapter has been added to the volu miuous
literature Of the Metropolis disaster. THIS Is the re-
port OF Solicitor OF the Treasury Raynor to Secretary
Sherman, by whom the referred to him Tor
examination aud prosecution February 20.
From his fret investigation of the sub
ject, the Solicitor says, ne led to be-
lieve the responsibility OF the vessels loss
rested upon tho owner, the builder and the captain
but this opinion was considerably modified by addi-
tionRl testimony ''The charge against George D.
Lunt, the Solicitor says, cot having caused the
fec,s of the vessel to be concealed from the inspector
was made by the carpenter who rebuilt the ship in
1871. aud whose motive Tor con1essing that he had
been party to crime which Is designated In
the statues as manslaughter would DO Diff
cult to divine II came too late to DO OF any
service and would secm TO be oil enec,, but to in
eulpate Mr.. Lun,, with whom the carpenter Manson
had had some peculiarly difficulties. Mr.. Lunt most
smphaticaily denied the charge and would seem 10
have had sufficient motive to allow q vessel be
irsscuroly built, which he frequently went to
sea In himself accompanied by his family and which
was never insured to its full value"
VESSELS soUNDNEss
Solicitor Rayuor quotes the contract between Lunt
ana Manson Tor the rebuilding OF tho ship, wherein
the specifications call for the employ OF the
materials OF their kind and the replacing OF all
by soana pieces OF timber This, together with the
TACT that the rebuilding was done under the
inspection Of the New York ana Boston
Underwriters agent VINO pronounced the yes
sci thoroughly sound aud "as goo1 as new"
that other Inspections were made while she was baid
ing and subsequently, that she made many success VI
voyages and tavorabiy Impressed her comman ders
with her seaworshinesA convInces the solicitor that
the Metropolis, when rebuilt in 1871, was "a sound
and scaworthy vessel" 1t further appears, h. says,
that afterwards every requirement OF law cheer
by which tho most thorough inspection could be
made and that all ncedul repairs were made by
them when necessary, therefore u difficult TO sec
how the owners have been a. fault or nov anything
done Dy them or faed to DO done can be urged rs
excuse for any failure on the part OF the United
States inspectors TO take care that tue vessel In
seaworthy condition when she was about starting
her voyage to Brazil on tho 29th Of January, 1857
The Solicitor calls attention the official reports
OF tho Board of Local Inspectors At Phiadephia
OF which are on 1le in the SOLICITORS Office Ous
dated March 81 the other March 2s Mr. Lunt charges
that the first report sent to the department
March 20. but recalled six or eight days after
ward. and the second report substituted and dated
back to March 2s. In the hrst document the owner
oil the vessel are not incupated, the responsibility
being lard on the shoulders OF the captain. In the
second, however, the captain IL exoncrated, and
Mr. Lunt tho owner. CHARGED with having con-
cealed rottsnness and defective construction from
tho careful search Of the inspectors. at 10 very
remarkable" says tho SOLICITOR, 'that conclusions
80 entirely at variance should have been reached BY
TIC same pcrsons WITHOUT any ADDITION 10 or cnango
In the evidence before them" This, he says, Is at
tributed by Mr. Lunt to desire on tho part OF the
Board to 'screen certain persons aud officials "
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WRECK.
"When considered materially and without refer
enco to the loss Of lie, says the solicitor, "lhc
wreck Of the Metropolis secms TO have been the
suit Of OF those uniore and ncx icabc
dents which sometimes occur, and from which It
seems impossible at all times to guard" But when
considered with reeronc0 TO the terrible loss oil life,
"the responsibility II any exists, must with the
captain ana officers Of the snip and with the life saw
ing force at station No ~
FURTHER INVESTIGATION ADVISED.
Tho Solicitor finally recon amends the Secretary Of
the Treasury 10 order nm investigation into the
Duct OF the local inspectors at New York and Phia-
dephia, the evidence to DO reported In iulL and q
careful and rigid examination under the Chief tn
Lite Saving Service INTO the conduct Of the force at
station No. 4, the latter exam nation to include tho
officers OF the Metropolis, who, ike all officers
OF steamships, are licensed BY the government In
conclusion the Solicitor says
at would 10 advisable TO direct any prosec
to DO Instituted until such examinations are held
The occurrence OF the leak At probably not
account OF unsouDancss In tho vessei, and while
the fearful loss Of ie alter the vessel was grounded
on tbs beach was OWING apparently to the negligent
and loose conduct OF the officers OF the ship up to
twelve NJ, yet, alter that hour u was mainly due TO
tho failure OF the lfesavng force at station pro-
vide themselves with sufficient charges OF powder and
she'll"