New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-07
THE CREW rHo DIED IN TIE RIGGING.
An INVESTIGATION AT BARNRGAT As TO WHETHER
THE LEGISLATION MEN COULD HAVE SAVED
Tile pEnPLE ON TIE DAVID IL. TOLCK.

An INvEsUGATIoN AT BARNEGAT As TO WHETHER
THE LEGISLATION MEN COULD HAVE SAVED
The PEOPLE on THE DAVID II. T0LCK.
BARNEGAT, y. j., March 6.-Lieutenant
Thomas d. Walker, Assistant Inspector Lfe-savng
Service has completed his investigation OF the
OF the crews OF the Life-Saving Service here
in relation to the wreck Of the schooner David II.
Tolck at Barnesat February 90 when Captain Sawyer
and wife and three OF his persisted in the rig
gug.
BENJAMIN +. Martin, keeper Of Lifesaving Station No
49, where the vessel ashore testified that the life
crew had al the lines, mortar. boat, etc, the beach
abreast Of the wreck before daylight. The surf was
bad the could not get TO the vessel and they
ranged to shoot the line from the gun and to rig
breeches buoy At daylight the Lyle gun fred with
braided shot line. II fell short On the second shot
the line reached between the main and mizZcn tOpmasts
soon after that line parted. 1t was impossible
for any person then TO stand the deck Of the vessel
and the crew OF the schooner went CtO the rigging An
other Inc was shot vessel and about It
secured on board. The hfc-sayiDg could not
heavy lines for the the schooner could not haul
them off against the current About D. the Dreeches
buoy was bent on 10 the shot line in the hands or the
schOOuefs crew, and with an Old shot line
were then sent ashore. When half way on shore the
line foued and parted, was cut By some one on the
surfboat to the vessel but the and current we're
too strong On The second attempt the steering OF
he witness knocked him overheard. lie caught the
t,unWae aud was han ed on board The boat then
gwen up aud lines and DTeeches buOys were used until
the last
tined that he left The station-house at 2:20 H. on nis
| north patrol Coming back, he saw VeSsefs side
lights to the southwark heading dagOnally toward the
shore. He his light two or three times the mo-
ton unfastcniuG the upper part OF the Lantern ana
putting the light out. He took his Coston signal
out nls haVeTsacE, aud euppOsiug II to De
the socket of the holder all right struck the sprng 10
ignite IL, when the burning signal jumped out OF the
holder and before he could recover II the water put II
IL" lost 10 time getting 10 the house when be
the vessel aground.
Thomas and James HazeltOn and Samuel j. Pharo
agent OF the Coast Wreckug Company, testified about
the danger OF the surf.
James HazcltOn testified that there hesitanCy
the part Of about going I'm the boat Keeper
Martin had sailed with the witness and at that
time he did not have much confidence IN himself.
John Is. PharO test fled that after the line shot
the iOrcrIgElng he heard Captain samuel Ph2IO
Now, men, must save that crew before night
they must perish Ii be done, and II must be done
You are drilled men, here for that business"
move was made for the boat, Mills, Of station
SAID he willing to 20 II there was man 20 steer
whom he had confidence III. II Captain sam Pharo)
Will 20 I'll go" Mills did 60 In the boat under Keeper
Martin The did not think the keeper exercised
proper discipline IN the boat He sa" no cOHarllce on
the part OF any one.
j. H. Rldgeway testified that he heard Captain sam
Pharo that IL be took tie boat Martin would be
moved. SAID Martin; d" You paid b. the GOV
for doing tins duty, and want you 10 DO IT,"
The witness thought The boat could have gone II prop
eTY handled hey met heavier burf Oh The bar than
there under the VOW OF the vessel.
Inc investigation showed also that she wind al m
was twenty miles hour, and at p. the high
during the day, thlrtyWO miles an hour. The Ill
VesgatiOn then closed at BAruesdt 10 obtain fur
Their testimony at NewYOTk from the rescued oiccrs
nf he