New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-18
TIE loss or THE GEISER.


T. does not seem possible that the consular
investigation to be made at Halifax INTO inc
collision between the Geiscr and the 1hlhg-
valla can fail to discover evidences OF grave
neglect of duty and fatally bad judgment at
the critical juncturc. That such collision
should have occurred while a good lookout
was being kept on both vessels Is Incredible.
1t is not less certain that the collision could not
have occurred had not the helm been put the
wrong way on one of the steamers after the
other was sighted. At present the weight OF
evidence is against the Thingyaiia as regards
the shifting Of the helm. The presumption Is
that the wrong order was given from her
bridge when the GciSer was first seen, and
that the rapid approach Of tho vessels lett no
time to remedy the error. SO far as can be
now Judged the GeScr was in her night, ana
steering according to maritime law. Nor does
il appear that in her case the lookout was IN
fault. When the collision occurred the Gelser
was so fatally injured that her compartments
could not keep her aAoat; in fact, the pre-
sumption is that the stem Of the Ihlngyalla
opened two and perhaps three of them, in
ripping the side after the first blow was dc
livered
The captain Of the Thingvalla was not in
charge of the deck at the time, and it does not
appear that he neglected any reasonable pre-
cautions before going below The night, or
rather morning, is described rs somewhat thick,
but there is said to have been no fog, and
therefore the lights should have been visible
from either steamer far enough to give both
annie room and time to avoid one another
The great loss Of life appears to have been due
in part TO the rapid sinking Of the GeiScr, many
passengers probably having been unable to
reach the deck before she went down, Panic
also played part in the disaster, as usual
There were hundreds of lifc-prcServers on the
/ Geser, and the captain directed the passengers
TO Law hold upon them. But he says they paid
no attention to him and seemed dazed. Had
they preserved presence Of mind and seizet
the Hfe-preservors no doubt many more NIGH
have been saved. But these tragedies repea
themselves. No matter what precautions arr
taken. no matter what life-saving apparatus l.
provided, the common tendency to panic upset
all calculations, Just as the striking of tn
Geiscr amidShps instantly neutralzcd her com
partment system and sent her TO the bottom
like stone.
The GeiSer carried a patent life-raft. and !
was put in order and launched by some Of III
engineers. At this moment, when it wa
crowded with people the steamer went down
and one Of her mastS struck the liie-raft crush
ing many of the fugitiyes and, Of course dc
stroying the fral structure. Against sue
fatalities no forethought nor ingenuity ca
avail, and, unfortunately, these are the kin
Of accidents incidental to marine disasters
which so often set at naught the most elaborat
provisions against collision and wreck. Jus
how long the Geiser floated after the collisio
may perhaps never be known. Her secon
officer, who had a remarkable escape by clint
ing from his wrecked cabin upon the anch'
chain of the Thingyalla. thinks the interV;
must have been less than five minutes. il thu
is a correct estimate, il is no wonder that I
large number Of the Gcsers people wei