The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-04-24
TaE cnEnoKEE AND ST. LAWRENCE
COLLISION.
Full Text Of The Local Inspeciors' Report
Tho Pilots Both suspended.


r,iI Tox, nj Tho Local Inspeci0Fs' Report
The Pilots Both suspended.
Ever since the collision between the
Cherokee and St. Lawrence, some weeks
ago down the river, the Pittsburgh and
Cincinnati papers have been continually
carping at the course Of the Board Of Lo-
cal inspectors in the matter. The Cincin-
natl Timss went so for as to state that the
investigation begun by Messrs Yogpg and
Wilson, of this city, had been quietly
dropped" and insinuated that there was
something crooked connected with the
sudden stop. That there was no ground
whatever for this allegation will be con-
clusively shown by the following docu.
ment, the
OPTICAL REPORT OF THE LOCAL INSPECTORS.
LOCAL INspEcroRs'0 OFFICE,
PoRT OF WuEELISG, W. VAa
April sd, 1880.
John Fel.renbaci, Esq, Superrising Inspector
ofSsam PesSeLs, Sere,Ih District, Cincinnati,
Ohio:
SIR:-we, the undersigned, having in
ouired into the causes which led TO the
collision between the passenger steamers
Cherokee and st. Lawrence, beg leave 70
report thereon. Both vesselswe manned
and equipped according to law, the former
plying between st. Louis aud Pittsburgh,
with B. F. Given at thewheel, was ascend
| ing, while the st. Lawrence, q regular
Wheeling and Cincinnati weekly packet,
with Jas. P. Schooner on watch, was
downward bound, both gentlemen first
class pilots Of long standing. The coli
lision occurred on the morning OF February
Goth last, between the hours oil 4 and .
o'clock In the morning, at or near the
mouth oiNewell'srun, which put Elm on the
Ohio side about one mile below Newport,
Ohio, resulting in sweeping away the star
board guard oil the St. Lawrence, between
the bits and cook house, including aportion
ofthe same, together with the open guard,
and intlicting but slight bodily injury to
one OF The cabin crew. Estimated loss
800. The Cherokee Jared less roughly,
damaging her 10 the extent OF 500, when,
after few minutes detention both vessels
proceeded on their voyage. The sworn
statements OF the respective pilots on
watch, while they agree as to the proper
signals being made and answered prompt
", are at variance as to their positions at
The time Of the occurrence. as also in To-
eating the same; whether just opposite or
below the mouth OF Newell's Run; the
substance OF which is as follows: MIR.
lSchonoyer says when abreast OF the
Ohio point, above the Brothers, he observed
a steamer ascending, whichproved to bethe
Cherokee, and after approaching within
400 or 800 yards Of him blew two distinct
blasts OF the steam whistle, which he i'm
mediately answered. lie was now straight
ia the channel; observed nothing unusual
in the course OF the Cherokee; was paral.
lieI with the Ohio shore. AS they neared
each other, and at a distance OF probably
ll5O Yards, she seemed to change her
couTe by pointing towards him. Now
stopped bis engines; shipped up and com.
nenced backing. Could account for the
unnatural course OF the Cherokee only
that she had ran of. Collision OCCURRED
below the mouth OF Newell's run, mol
exceeding the length OF his boat: the
weather was favorable aud could have had
nothing 10 do with the occurrence. MIR.
Green asserts with equal posiuveness that
when he first observed the St Lawrence
she was above the point, when he blew
two blasts OF the whistle 10 pass
her on his left, which was promptly
answered. He now stepped to the
left of his wheel, as she seemed to be oul
OF her right course, and at once stopped
} his engines and commenced backing was
backing when they came together; was
as close TO the Ohio shore, and straight
herewith at the time OF tho collision, %
the nature Of the same would permit
. while the position OF the st. Lawrence
: was such at the time she answered his
: signals as to induce him to believe she
was attempting to pass him on the lar
board, thought possibly she had taken
sheer, hence backing on his part. Says the
'tcollsion occurred, just opposite the mouth
of Newel's run. His vessel was easily man
aged. Never had any tropble In thisres'
pect, and that the elements were not I'M
favorable 10 sale navigation. Since It Ii
not material 10 finding In the case, the
precise point OF the occurrence, as well as
. their exact positions when they collided, to
which the principals seem to attach
so much Importance, and about which
, they differ SO widely, is not important to
know, we accept the statementofboth that
at the time OF signalling they were in their
proper positions, and remained so until 1t
appeared to each that the other was
. sheering towards him; that the signals
were given and answered promptly, and
that all was done that skill could suggest,
after they found a collision probable.
Evidence is not wanting, yet with the Big
nal lights in full view, nothing intervening
to prevent their observance, even at a
greater distance than required, they came
together, and why, 1t is our province to
determine. Before answering the question
we deem it proper to observe that no
where perhaps on the Ohio river are there
better facilities, so 10 speak, for collision
than this point offers. It might be
properly called chute, largely curved,
descending, while on the left Is
cluster OF islands known as the Brothers,
from which put out bars, forcing the
channel close to the Ohio shore, the
course Of which is interrupted by q cor
responding Jet Immediately below the
mouth OF Newells run, rendering 1t a
dangerous place to meet even at moder.
ate stage OF water. As 10 the distance be.
tween the vessels at the time the Cherokee
sigualled the evidence is too conflicting to
4 enable us to determine with accuracy.
From 200 to 500 yards is in evidence. We
are inclined to the opinion, after making
a close calculation, deducted from the
speed both boats were making, as well as
the promptness and rapidity with which
the engines were handled, they could'not
HAYS been more than $50 yards apart.
Had Mr.. Given, being fully aware, as he
must have been, Of the dangerous
nature OF this portion Of the river,
signiGed his choice at or near the
required distance, the time intervening
might have been used to better advantage;
or had he done that, which better judg::
ment would seem to dictate, lie 10 until
the descending steamer passed, the col.
lision, 1t is easy to see, could not have oc.
CURED. Neither can we exonerate NJ.
SChonover from full participation in the
matter, conscious too, as he must have