The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-19


OF captain and crew. The captain was the last
to leave the vessel and the water was over the
main deck at that timer
THE DISCIPLINE ON CUNARDERS.
DIR. John Chambers Thinks the Officers of the
Steamer We're Entirely Blameless.
II was for five years surgeon on the Cunard
line of steamers running from Liverpool to New
York. said DR.. John Chambers, in answer to an
inquiry of Journal reporter. During that
time I crossed the Atlantic ocean one hundred
times-we calculated making ten round voyages
year know the service well, both as to the
officers of the ships, the managers aud the own
ers."
Have you been ON board the Oregong
"Yes, in the harbor but never crossed the
ocean in her. She was noble vessel. and there
could be no doubt as to her substantially and
all good sea-going qualities. see by the papers
that an attempt has been made to throw blame
the ship. The charge is made that
the officer of the watch, at the
time of the collision. was not attending to his
duty, but instead of that was getting up the mail
bags, etc. Judge Drummond states, in addition,
that it was star-lit morning, and schooner
could be seen half a mile away, and in plenty
time to avoid a collision. The statement Of the
officer being diverted from his duty is absurd
Let me explain the lookout The officer Ia
charge OF the ship stands on the bridge, two men
on the lookout stand in the bow, as far forward
as they can get, and another man stands half
way between the bow and the officers bridge
It is the duty OF these four men-the three look
outs and the oficer-to keep vigilant watch and
direct the ships movements
ut can be taken as certain thing that those
men did not neglect their duty. have, both
when engaged as surgeon and in several yoy-
ages made since on private business, within the
past twelve years, had opportunities Of going on
deck at all hours Of the night and day, and never
yet saw the lookout men or the officer OF the
bridge negligent of duty, or with their attention
diverted away from their work. Such o thing
occurring on board a steamer would be sure to
be known to the officer il the lookout men were
at fault, and would result in their immediate
punishment Such thing, If occurring upon
the part of the officer of the watch, would soon
be known and talked about among the officers OF
the ship, and would meet with such spirit OF
condemnation in the mess room that that officer
could not retain his position. 1t is worse than
soldier sleeping at his post.
"As to the idea that the officer of the bridge
could have been directing the bringing up OF
mail bags, the custom is to have that work su-
perintended by junior. The fifth or sixth off,
Ger doubtless had 1t in charge at that particular
time Ispeak thus confidently of what was g0-
ing on on board the Oregon because know on
the most ordinary vessels Of the service the dis
cipline in those matters that is absolutely main
tanned never knew it to be relaxed in single
instance Recollect, this ship, at the time of the
collision, was in charge of the chief officer,
ter many years OF service In the position OF o
minor officer BE was in the direct line OF pro
motion and would, doubtless. have been
given captaincy at the first opportunity
To L. @E~A
reached this position, after years Of labor In che
service, should have neglected his duty. Recol-
lect that this man must have commanded sail
ing vessel before he could enter as junior off,
Ger on Cunarder, that lbeing special require.
ment, as no man can command Cunarder who
is not thorough sailor and competent to sail
the vessel in case of accident to her engines or
machinery 1t is not to be believed that such q
man, with such hard-earned promotion, would
have given himself away by neglscting his du3y
'.As to the cause of the collision, before ha6
heard any reason advanced as to the cause. or
supposed cause, OF this collision, ventured to
make guess relative to the positions of the
steamer and the schooner shortly before they
came together. stated to some of my friends
that the schooner was going along without lights.
1t is a notorious fact known to all persons who
have crossed the Atlantic, that the coast sailing
vessels. schooners and fishing smacks, from New
about carrying the lights demanded by
law. These lights are, green light
on one side of the vessel and
a red light on the other side for sailing craft
The owners and captains are too stingy to pro.
vide the necessary amount of oil. AS | said, that
fact is so we'll known that it is source of won.
der and indignant surprise to officers OF the At
lantic steamers that the United States govern
ment does not. through its revenue service or
by other means, take measures to enforce the
law. The people Of the United States should DO
deeply interested in this. The result of this alb
sence of lights is that except In
beautiful. clear moonlight nights IL Ia
very. difficult to recognize vessel until
within comparatively short distance Of her.
Marrow escapes from this cause are Of frequent
occurrence. / have several such escapes
myself One occasion was when my wife and
her brothers were crossing with me. We es-
capped collision with an unlighted vessel by the
closest possible margin Ii is thing liable to
happen at any time to any steamer that passes
up from New York or Boston. The negligence
and foolharGiness of the owners and captains Of
these coasting craft is something that English
navigators cannot understand. 1t makes them
SO angry they get fairly furious aboutit.
My explanation was the explanation given by
the chief officer OF the Oregon, that this vessel
had no lights but when they came up close to
her those ON board the schooner flashed Ian
do always-but too late to warn the steamer
from her position. Now. it Is tho duty of the
vessel under steam to get out OF the way OF the
sailing ship, and, doubtless, IL the schooner bad
had her lights. she would have been observed
three or four mites off. at least, and collision
would have occurred Owing to the abb
sence of lights on the sailing vessel, 1t
was impossible for the steamer to get out of the
way of the schooner. She could not tell which
way the sailing vessel was going-the object for
which lights are prescribed The best thing
possible, but not humane thing. would have
been for the officer of the Oregon to have point
ed the bow of the steamer straight toward the
sailing vessel and run over her. Such course
could not probably have damaged the Oregon
one hundred dollars worth. These coasters are
occasionally run down and disappear with all on
board because they do not carry lights. and the
steamers have not time to get out of their way.
Another thing, schooners do not keep sharp
lockout 1t is often the case there is only a man
and boy on deck The men ia charge of these
great steamers are filed with profound sense
of responsibility when on duty. And think of
the punishment which is melted out 60 those men