Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-14
TEE RIVER COLLISION.
The Inspectors Decision in the NacoO-
ohee- Crane Iaveatigation.

The Inspectors Decision in the NacOO-
chee-CrRne Investigation.
Inspectors Peter Jones and II. D. Head
man rendered their decision yesterday in
the Nacoochee-Crane collision investiga-
ton. Captain S. L. Askins was the mas
ter and pilot in charge of the Nacoochee
and Captain G. w. Billups was the mas
Ter ana pilot in charge of the Crane.
Inc collision occurred March Is, 1885,
at 0;3O p. M, when the ships were
savannah river. The VIM. Crane was
ahead and the Nacoochee blew one whistle,
under rule of the rules and regulations
lor the government of pilots. as signal
that he intended to pass on the starbOard
or right side Of the Crane. This was an
swered by the Crane by the same signal.
About five minutes later the whistles
were repeated in the same order.
one OF the charges made by Capt, Bill
Iups was that Capt. Askins violated rule
3, which reads as follows: "When
steamers are running in the same direc-
ton, and the pilot of the steamer whichis
astern should desire to pass on the right
or starboard hand of the steamer ahead,
ne shall give one short blast of the whis-
Tile as signal and intention ana shall
put his helm to port, and the pilot of the
steamer ahead shall answer by the same
signal, or If he prefers to keep on his
course, he shall give two short and dis
llnct blasts Of the steam whistle, and the
boat Wishing to pass must govern her.
sell accordingly, but the boat ahead snail
IN no case attempt to cross her bow or
crowd upon her courseV
rms charge was amended, charging the
steamship NacOochee, her master and pi-
lot with having violated rule %, Of the
sailing Rules, which reads as follows:
Every vessel OVertaking any other
vessel shall keep out OF the way Of the last
mentioned vessel" Capt. S. l.. Askins
charged Capt. Billups with violating rule
-, section 4w3 OF the Revised Statutes,
which rule says "When by rules II, 10,
20 and - OF the statutes, the vessels shall
be kept out of the way, the other vessel
snail keep her course, subject to the quail
1cations of rule PAP
In their decision the inspectors found:
FIRST. We are Of the opinion that the
charge against Capt. 5. l.. Askins OF vio-
laIlng rule is not sustained by the evil
dence, the Nacoochee having blown the
proper whistle and received the proper
answer for steamers to pass under the
circumstances.
Second. That the charge Of violating
rule y is sustained in having failed to
pass the VIM. Crane within a half mile
after blowing and receiving the signals
the second time for passing. The steamers
had reached a point on said river where
the passage was rendered more difficult
by the channel becoming narrow and the
tide setting in from another river
He was bound to know the facts. and
having placed his vessel in a position in
yolving risk, did so at his own peril, and
was at fault.
In the charge of Captain S. /. Askins
against Captain Billups, that be violated
Rule %, we find no evidence TO sustain
the charge, and this charge is dismissed
Under section 1850, Revised Statutes,
we find Captain 5. l.. Askins, of the
steamship Nacoochee, guilty of negli-
gence, and suspend his license for thirty
days, from April 10, 1856.