National Republican., 1881-07-23
is THE BOAT SAFE?
CONDITION OF THE ARRowsMiTH.
Her Commander and other Ofleers Reslsn-ThC
Alleged Reasons Therefor-What n Recent
Passenger Has to Say-Is Life Safe
on the steameri

disappointment was in store for n
large party of pleasure seekers yesterday morning
when they visited the wharf of the Potomac Ferry
Company intent on a ride down the river in the
steamer Arrowsmith. They were informed that
II had been found necessary to clean up and paint
the steamer, and this would necessitate dis
continuance of her trips for several days.
For while they were considerably chngrined at
their Ill luck but when inquiry showed that there
was something else besides paint and cleaning at
the bottom of the postponed trip, they considered
themselves mvorites OF fortune, From few hints
dropped twas learned that Captain Barker COM
manding tho steamer the engineer, and pilot had
suddenly resigned and the boat was left without
officers. representative OF THE REPUBLICAN,
sought out the captain and obtained his version OF
the transaction, which substantially rs follows
II notified the company yesterday that would not
run the boat any longer for ay they would not
make necessary repairs, would not carry passen-
gers and risk their lives The boat is all racked to
pieces, having to make at least two hundred miles
day and stop at thrty.two landings. Wednesday,
the only layover day, has been given up to excur-
sion parties, and the boat has been chartered for
tho remainder OF tho season. have repeatedly
asked Mr. Phillips the superintendent OF the COM
pany, to make the needed repairs but he has failed
thus far to comply with my request. The boat was
not In good condition when II put on the river
this season, but everything has been subordlnatcd
to making money regardless Of risk. was COM
PEELED to give her up in her present condition, for
had IN accident happened would have been held
responsible and my license taken from me
by the inspectors The boilers Of the boat leak,
and short time ago one OF the tubes was
blown out. In several places in the ma
chinery there arc large holes. which have
been stopped up with wooden plugs, and with
these contriyanccs for economy she has been run.
ming at her highest capacity. The only wonder to
me is TINT an accident has happened to her and
don't know how TO account for IT," From pas.
sengcr OH the last trip Of the steamer, 1t was ascer
tainod that Captain Barker had pointed out to him
several defects In the machinery, and called par
| ticulnr attention to the wooden plugs in certain
holes in the boiler. lie said that the captain
seemed desirous Of placing the responsibility
for such q state of affairs just where Il
belonged, and would not joopardize the
| lives of his passengers OF his position
by running her down the river again. "You car
again this season." remarked the informant
There are too many other safe boats for me tC
tempt Providence in her" A dilllgcnt search wa,
made for some Of the officials of the steamboat
company but they could not be found. II Is stated
that the Arrowsmith is owned by New York
parties, who know nothing of her condition but arc
only Interested in obtaining the gains from theii
investment. Several river men expressed the opin.
Ion that the boat was unsafe, and further
| volunteered the information that the inspector
Mr.. Lewis f. Clements, would not allow hor TO 80
down the river again until the defects In her ma.
| cbinery were romedied in a safer manner than
with wooden plugs. A rumor is prevalent thai
| the captain resigned on account of Fecunlary
troubles with the company, aud that he was to be
succeeded by Captain John Wood, formerly OF the
steamer John w. Thompson,