The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-08-28
THE STEAMER COLLISION
Investigating the City of Chester
Horror.
The oeeanic's Captain BIames the
Chester-The signals Not
Complied with.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 1.-Two investig q,
lions or the circumstances attending the
recent steamer collision on the bay are In
progress here to-day One is before the
naval board appointed by the British con
sui. and the other before the United States
local inspectors of steam vessels Coroner
Stanton viii commence an investigation
"Wednesday.
Capt Metealf Of the Oceanic testified In
substance as follows before the naval
court: son the mornlng Of the accident, at
l 30 O'clock, We reached the pilot grounds
aud took a pilot on board. We stcercd for
the north shore. soon after crossing tn c
bar te came within 800 yards Of sailing
vessel We asked Il the weather was good
inside. They replied. Yes All this
time our whistle was blowing and the en-.
gines running slow.
After passing Point Disable a few minutes
later We heard a whistle blowing on the
starboard side, and when opposite Lime
point | saw steamer on the slarboard.
called 10 the pilot, who Immediately put
the helm hard "A slarb1ara, and at the same
time giving two whistles, which wcr,
answered. The stsamer begau TO swing
around 70 port, aud | saw collision was
] inevitable. Our engines were stopped Inn
mediateiy, We struck the vessel pretty
vel forward, immediately ordered the
boats lowered and the life hu0Ns hcaved
overheard. As nea as We could tell the
city Of chester sank IN six minutes"
apt. hetcalf said, "Aftcr crossing fhe
bar the weather aas dense, but tightening
at times 80 that We coald see fully half a
mile The eaplaiu submitted letter
irom cne of the occanlcs passengers com
mending the aetioa Of the capita aud
crew. The captain stated that all In his
power was done 10 prevent a collision.
First officer fillsoa Of tie OCcanie testi-
fed that tue amount of foam against the
Chesist's bo@ indicated that she was tray
cling al a rapid rate. VIXEN nsked if,ench
vessel had compiied with sigual Of two
whistles could taere have been collision
he replied; There could not.
TIE cuEsTEs's cArTAiS.
Capt waiiace'e atemcut which he
made on the day efseT the disaster was
read al length, aud the captain in response
10 Inquiries, said The Dc, anic was fnlly 200
feet from bis steamer when first sighted
The whistles were kept going az intervals
oi less than minute after striking the fog
bank. aud the Signals Of the Oceanic were
answered prumtils The Chester com
meuced 10 back water bs'f0re the Oceanic
struck her IL Was not over two minutes
from the time the Oceanic was sighted uu-
III she struck the Che,irr. aud not more
ihan hve minutes later before the Chester
went down. The helm was uut hard to
star board 90 fFst bearing the Oes auic's
whistles, ana the chester went down with
hcr helm in that position. The Hood tide,
however, eaased heF 10 pay on against the
helm.
Charles MeCallam. hrsf officer OF the
Ch, ster, testified that there was strong
Hood tide running. which he noticed when
the steamer passed uut into the stream.
The Chester had stopped at the time of the
collision. The Oceanic vas coming ahead
pretty fast. witness believed 10 per
snns were drowned
Chief Engineer Caakson of the Chester
testified tnat be received one bell 10 Glow
down aud another 20 back water. The en-
gincS we're bae ked until they felt the shock,
wben be received n bell 10 stop. The Gu
gines were stopped. whcn the steamer
sauk.
0nioeT John Iiadline corroboratcd many
details of the previous testimony Tie was
confident that the Chestef's engines were
backing a. the time Of the collision.