The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-11-19
THE champion disaster investigation.

PH1LApEhpHlA, Nov lq-The tnvestiga-
tlon hy the United States local inspentora OF
steam vessels at this port into the collision Of
the steamer Champion with tho Lady octa-
via was begun to- day. The officers and crev "
Of both veasala have been summoned 10 at-
tend. and the inquiry begun to day with
the testimony Of tho commander Of
the Champion. Capt. 7 ". Lockwood.
time OF the colist Il aud the measures he
took sahseune, ~ 10 prevent the loss Of life,
He did ne' Know whether or not 1t was the
euAtr VI hia mate to take the man from tho
!, nout te set sails. II his mate was IN the
habit of doing ao II was certainly unknown to
him uho captain III had not given any
positive ordela on that subject. but It was nh
understood thing on the ship. He had
been on duty l. i, about tan minutes h,,,
naa not s St to sap Gp' e hsapa ths cry Of
sail ahead" and when he got on deck he
aaw n ship approaching, not moro than a
hundred yards away. He saw no light on
the ship, aud had ~ time 70 look for one. lie
rang THE bell to stop his own vessel. but had
hardly stopped her headway when the col
li+ion occurred, Being asked the question.
Where dld you strike the ship2' Capt. Lock
wood answered. I'VE did not strike the ship.
The ship struck ua just abaft the bow about
L O'clock eight feet ahaft. That ~ a. near as
we can Judge because we had nu chance to
see. She struck US at about an angle OF
a. degrees. she went into our ship within
about twenty or twenty tive feet of the fore
mast. Capt, Lockwood then explained, by
means Of models. the positions oi the vesaGla
and stated that the holes on either side of
the Lady OCtavia were made by her passing
through the haw Ut the Champion. Tho Gu
ginrcr and q seaman ct the Champion also
testified Tho latter witness was asked
whether his vessel ran into the Dctavia, or
the Oriavia into the Champion, hut WAS un-
able To give u positive answer on that point
The examination was then closed, but will
be resumed In the morning
The survivors Of the steamships crew are
present before court Of inquiry. and their
testimony. which will occupy several days,
will be presented.
FINDING Nv THE BRITISH COURT or INQUIRY
IN THE CHAMPION DISASTER CASE THE
OFFICERS or THE LADY OCrAyIA EXON
ERATEu OF ALL RLAME.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1s,--rhe members Of
the British court Of inquiry investigating tho
collision of the ship Lady Octava with thc
steamer Champion. visited Cramps's ship
yard to-day and made personal eNamina-
tion Of the ruptures done to the Lady oc-
tavla,s bows.
John ". Lynn, who has been master ship
builder for thirty years, and who had exam
nei the bows Of the Lady Octavia, was ex-
amined. The court then retired. and after q
lengthy deliheratton, reappeared with the
following decision. which was read 70 the
officers and crew:
This court, after four days exhaustive ex-
animation Of Capt. Johnston, David FerRu-
son, Chief Officer David Hunter Boat swain
Sanders Anderson. Helmsman Peter Nassco-
witch, man on the look out and VIM. McCourt.
apprentice. All belonging to the Lady Octa-
via, If Greenock who were subjected to strict
and protracted crosS-eNamlnattOn as to their
conduct, and that Of the rest Of the crew be-
fore and at the time Of and after the fatal col
lision between the steamship Champion, OF
New York. and sail ship Lady Oetavia, on the
morning OF November n finds:
!, That the ship Lady octavia was COM
lation lights, her life-sayirg boats, her rig
Sing and general discipline on board.
.. That 1t was really perceived by the OFF,
GERS In charge of the Lady Oetayia that the
lights sighted In the distance were the lights
of the steamer, and that the Lady Octavis