New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-20

inpten was continued at New-London. Conn.,, yes
terday Captain Nye thought the disaster was
caused by misunderstanding OF the NarroRansetts
whistles lie SAID he would expect to be discharged by
the company he refused to carry all the passengers
who came aboard regardless of the capacity OF the
vessel. The wheelsman of the Stonington SAID DC
was unable to properly control the wheel alone Inc
mate of the Narragansett, the Waterman, and other
officers testified.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE DISCLOSEs.
CONFUSED AND MISUNDERSTOOD wHIsTLrs-A CAP
TAIN's MIsTAKE-THE NARRAGASsETTs CREW
AND LTPE-BoATs.
NEW LONDON, Conn.,, July 19.-At the re-
opening of the Nragansett investigation this morning.
the examination of Captain Nye Of the stonington was
resumed. He stated that he was familiar with pilot
rules aud that they required one long blast OF the
whistle when passing approaching boat to the star
board
The Inspector then read from the rules showing that
n short and distinct blast required.
The Captain resuming his testimony, said:
We heard the N,rragausetts whistle and supposed It
heard The Narraganset about point on the
port bow when we first heard her. and when we changed
our course to she about two points. We ran
altering t. North west Wien we heard the Nsrraga
sets two whistles she was three or four points on our
ers fog whistle II she bad answered with two whistles
one short whistle there would have been evidence
that she heard From the time first heard the
whistle OF the Ndrragansett to the collision WAS about
essIernoouod boats. and was using extra caution
The boats probably lowered In about ten M nuies
was pilot aboard this previous to
tins have been two. The cnange was made
a mistake 10 the Narragansetrs whistles
| considered her fog whistle a signal 10 turn
to my whistle don't remember hearing the Nara
eanse give three blasts OF the whistle two or three
minutes before the collision II they had gwen such
whistle there reason why should not have heard
It, 1t would take one.half minute for one man to put
wheel hard port starbOard don't know that
| two men could do 1t any quicker | don't know me
exact number OF passengers the StOnngon De night
of the collision but there were about 800 Inc SION
| ingtOn Il allowed 10 carry about $50 passengers.
would probably have gone 10 New-York, and If 1 mad
not taken them | should have expected TO get my dis
charge the next day; am put there to run me boat
from dock 10 dock, and to take all the passengers who
come aboard.
| EVIDENCE OF WHEELsMAN SILVIA.
Joseph Silvia, the wheelsman Of the stonugton since
| April l. was the next witness He testied follows:
The course given from the Hammocks to Bart
let's on the night of the collision was west, three
quarters south. From Bartetfs To COrnneid II west
| half south Kept no lookout. but simply stcered
| by the compass. The stonlngon steers hard
over from port to starboard. can hold her
mysef when she Is going full speed with the wheel
when size is gong full speed. Up 10 COrnled we had
been blowing one whistle about twice minute. The
| first whistle ] heard one whistle on our port
bow, about one point. We passed That boat. The sec
ond whistle we heard was the Narraganse,t's on
we had passed Cornfield aud were running west by
south The second time We heard the Narraganseti's
whistle it about points the port bow, and
then hauled her NJ north the pilot telling me TO-
never heard two Whistles three whistles from the
Narragansett When the light gave tbr g
whistles ana the pilot rang four bells. This was about
don't think should have avoided the collision II /
had had another man win me AT the wheel
collision did not here them
wATCHMAN COON's TESTIMONY.
Albin Coon. the bow-watchman Of the Narragansett,
testified that lie had been employed that capacity on
boats of the sonnston Company for eleven years Ho
SAID:
On the night Of tho sSoo collision We ran into
and then at Falklands Island raised
raised the stoninGion point and half We blew two
whistles ihree times with euch an Interval that they
never heard whistles from tic StoningOn until
affer had reported the light and then only one ong
aud within minute and half AFTER first her sire
struck We had been blowing single " thistle ever
whistle is about one-half minute and the single
collision the captain tod me to can The mates, and
did When came back the clerk came up and said
boat about ten minutes after the collision
then aft to get lie preservcr Tor myself. but
the fl imes cut of and then went TO the prone
made deck and there was fOof OF water there. The
boat bad grounded at TINS time lumped o'erooard
the water about twenty or twenty-five IN nItes. and
was then picked up by boat from The city Of New
York which ia cnargo OF passenger from the StOu
ngton and manned by OF eoored men, This boa
ladies'. tue stoningon's light before heard
fog whistle She Tlsled after that bat her whistles
were mixed uD ana c0uld not tel what they were.
could distinguish n difference In the length OF The
whistles OF he Two boats.
STEPHEN a. MOwRY'S EVIDENCE.
5 When the Investigation resumed at 1870 p. m
the FIRST witness Stephen A. Mowry. Mate Of tn,
NaIragansett. lie testified as follows
have beon Mate from twenty-five TO twentv-eighr
years have been the Narragnsett in capac
fhtpfal tho NINA
G wa. in my on The hurricane deck the por
side. | heard whistle and jumped out Of bed. pulled
+ nm the window, and about that time We struck
We,V 10y, TOm" ,hn srnninoton was clear oie AZ
Ihat a ant 10 the and asked WHAT wa. to US rs
done and he said lower the and put the
obnord The other steamer began lowering the bon a
beginning win No A. and lowered rs the main
Il rail telling named Tnayer lower it carefully
j. | aud put the plug. then went TO the next boat aft
ana cut the guys and attempted hoist IT, found il
full OF passengers aud requested them to out and
| TO put IN the pug. She loaded within
: three inches Of the gunwale; | pnlled man
: | who was overheard into tie boat and went
to the Stonington aud landed tnem. and then cruised
back and forth between the TWO boats 10 rescue pasSen
# ! gers. have had cGarge OF the Narrasansctts NE
boats and paid Them special at Gnton to see hat theS
ing OF the deck hands. supposed the to lie good
. | crew Some OF them accustomed to handling boafs
for three or four years. Two OF the deck boys wcr.
% sailors There were lfe-hoals The Nlrrapan
seIt All the boats but one re iron. Sometimes l eX
c amined the boats week. ana frequently the
l. deck boys to examine them mink boats had bsen
taken ont times at least since February
s nm positive that all the equipments Of the boas and
RATS were frs class order When lowered the boat
| aud went of he fire had made good deal Of headway
and was aft Of tie wheel have never heard Obi
fon made to condemned or hose on boa
tbe steamer. The drilled twice week al tht
O nump and quite often III swinging ont the boats III
pir1np men almost invariably asked them whether they
a | have had any experience the water. give the pref
erence to sailors but nd IL difficult TO hire them they
| do not Ike handle freight. Deck hands and dccI
bows receive the wages SIX OF the Narragansetp
boats we're found the collision 10 my know edge
and all tbe RATS. Alter the collision there was a grea
# deal among the passengers many OF
| stopped me and asked questions or them wer,
without lite preservers asked where they couC
C | gel them and told that each berth eacl
| cd mad