New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-16

OF the bridte He was on tho port side and tie
starbourd There three men on the lookout; tive
OF them the turteback as far as Ossble for
ward and the other the fore part of the prom
cnade deck This last was an cXtia lookout. II
his duty 20 carry orders from the bridge the
forward watch. The collision took place at about $3.50
This - can fix the time. did not look ~
the time and only judge by circumstances The fiji -
intimaton had OF the proximity OF another vessel
a bright light which al Poarod suddenly the
port bow. It appeared to be bright light first held mp
and then dropped downward again. II moved
quickly aud tried t. make out the boat. took il 10
be riiOt-boat, anh moving that the capita was
not Goug to take pilot boat until got TO thc bar
put the helm hard apOr not worried by the light.
assumed the Gnt to he swung by standing on
tue vessel and am sure it in rigging. The
fourth odcrr the side of the boat nearest 10 the light
called first and then looked over to port and saw
tue light. The lookout say that they reported the
gnt the time that from bridge aud
they called Ou;: A bright light "A little on the port
bow There was no lieLt-no colored sht mean-on
the mast Thought her masthead Light was out From
nat saw and the way the lisht waved got the
idea that the vessel thero without light and That
when the lights ot the steamer discovered hy those
on board some grabbed the first light handy and
waved it As "a warning 20 keep of. coUld form idea
Of the distance tLe white hight away. The steamer
did change her a!tcr the helm put hard
apOrt before the collision took lace.
Tho sailing craft was SO close TO the steamer when
first sighted that before The ship could helm
the steamer was struck. |: was utterly impossible to
change the OF vessel Of the size of the oregon
in the small sIaco OF time. Tue given To
change tue helm hy word OF mouth, aud the hclmsmau
who was standing CLOSE by o3cyod cou.d Tot see the
sails or TINS vessel when saw the light aad dl
that she had sails uutl she tue point OF striking.
that there going to he Il collision | cOuid tell
from lisht whether she mDYinc at
ancor There was Az absence OF the regulation hsht
from other y~see This vessel lnnkcd like a srbooIer
bcou three; there we're certainly two She fore
and aft ri2erd ana that il how / knew her to hc a
cho rhe collision then took place. The hoonor
struck few feet forward ~ tDo bridge The snip did
shock. have moi the slightest ilra at what angle the
schooner Sfruck. could not MAKE out hcr course at all
because she came uP 80 suddenly. just as soon we
were struck gave orders 10 stop the engines. The
engines stopped and the helm still Kept bard
aport ana the s4ip was coming around. wahted to
lind what hai become OF the schooner. We bal oHly
gone little distance when Capt in Cnficr on tine
ship maxim: water rapidly. Meantime Looked all
around Tor e schooner hut could nothing OF her
Alhou4h IL was d"rk morning IL was Gear. II W'S
darker 10 tie west than to the east because there
SlsAt maze III ihe edst ua ihlrHtei me rising sun.
HcdId 10 s"Os OF ctt- ana saw no sSuS o lir ~NhS
tHc swinging ish which appeared only for second OF
two. AFTER the steamer got away from the vesSo, dii
not see her again. There was 40 boat lowered 70 10
the schooner II not considered necessary for the
reason that the Gamer making toward the spot
ronl None OF the the deck at The time
passengers at all until after struck.
have had eNp"rieuce with vessels Of tho Oreeon'S
size Tor turcc and have horu the Cuuard service
or eleven years. hold first els, masters certificate.
hcd the pos ton o cief lcer oi the OREGON. This
was my OiTtb voyage in her; before tnat in the |
Scrva chief officer for five voyages. There was not
he >ii-htc.t characterization shown 10y the
presence in any part o. the ship think the way il |
which the boats nT died shows positively that
mere was 10 di>ohed'ence or the part of the crew.
uperinendcd putting ont the two forward hOitS. or
ams n foN 10 po.i nad sl'FDoara nave no idga
Wuuc free and lot nat in the wafer teen II wa
l"t known then that the vcs>c would sink and tIe |
owrrGg of tue boats only a matter of prcctutpn
know what tho cpuIi ion of the boats was. There |
AN bc Hn doubt aboIt their being tdc most rerirct
rider. The snip was Thoroughly equipped with boH-
md rats and carried her full con pl-mc1t. did not
cave tic bridge from the time went watch until
he captain came, when he assumed command. | Am
ortysN years old and have followed the for twenty
ears.