The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-12
Loss OF THE coLU MBUs.
The Investigation Adjourned for One
Week-Captain hammond of GOulds-
bOr0 Before she II card.


Boston. Feb. 1.-THE investigation into the
City of Columbus disaster was resumed thi'
morning. The usual jam of spectators gave
evidence of the unabated interest Ia the pro
ceedings.
Hiram A. Phillips, first assistant engineer
OF the wrecked steamer, testified. He was on
watch at the time of the disaster. The ship
struck at As by the engine room clock. He
had not been on deck at any time during his
watch, and was in the engine room when the
shin struck. He instantly got signals from
the pilot house to slow the ship, to stop her
and to back her at speed. He Immediately
reversed the engine with the assistance OF the
engineers, Morrison and Collins, who had
rushed in, and backed the ship for five min
utes. Then he got signals to go ahead. He
ola not get any signals from the pilot house to
stop her again. He worked the engine ahead
until the water came rushing into the engine
room when he came on deck. The ship had
listed over on her beam ends when he stopped
the engine. He took to the rigging. After
daylight be saw the buoy off the starboard
bow The ship had sixty-five pounds OF
steam on She usually carried seventy pounds
The witness did not think the door between
The shaft md bulkhead was closed. II was
usually LETT open and the bulkhead was not
tight unless the door was closed. He had
charge OF boat No. g. He had boat drill on
the trip before last in Savannah. They did
not lower the boats in the drill, merely going
to their stations. His boat was gone when he
came deck.
Captain Thomas r. Hammond, a master
mariper residing in Gouldsboro, Me-, who was
a passenger on the City of Columbus, occupied
s ateroom in the forward saloon. The ship
struck easily. He thought she was on a sand
oar. He looked out OF port on the port side
and saw Gay Head light. He did not see the
nuoy until after daylight, when he saw it on
he starboard bow. He thought he would
have seen the buoy had 1t been on the port
side, as 1t was bright moonlight night. He
thought the vessel listed within fifteen min
ufes after she struck. He did not see any Of
nc9rs aud did not hear any order to clear away
tpe boa 8 but the lastngs were cut aud the
boats drifted away to He did not see a
boat swung out to be lowered. AS pilot he
would steer west by south from Nobska to
Iarpaulin Cove and then west-soulh west out
20 sea, which would take him clear of Cav
re id by three miles. The tide would have no
eHect on ihe ships course because it sets di-
rectiy up and down the sound. He had never
hoticed any variations of the Compass when
passing Gay Head The witness saw n
steamer pass not over three miles distant. He
iid not see any one on her deck. The witness
lecilned to give his opinion as an expert sea-
man ss TO how he ship came to where che was
wrecked. He had his opinion but refused TO |
give It, AS pilot through Vineyard Sound |
10 never Knew OF any local attraction at Cav |
lead that would affect ships compass. He |
law breakers drectly ahead Of the ship as soon |
= = ne came on deck within two minutes after |
ne snip struck. He could also see boulders |
ticking out of the water.
Inc board OF inquiry then adjourned ore |
week n account of the illness OF the captain |
ot the steamer Glancus.