The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-10
INSPECTORS REPORTS.
Collision of the Los Angeles and
NayarrO-The Ajax Loss.

The Board of Inspectors of Steam Vessels
having heard the evidence in two cases be-
fore it, yesterday made the following report
10 Il. S. Lubbock, Supervising Inspector of
the First District. The members of the
Board are E. S. Talbot and James Hillmau.
The first report is as follows:
We have TO report that at about 9 80 O'CLOCK
In the afternoon, July 3oih last, the Los
Angeles and Navarro collided lightly near Es-
teros Point, Cal; damage slight.
Upon investigation from testimony taken, we
find as follows: The above-named steamers, 10
command respectively OF Captains II. ID. Lee
land and r. w. Anderson, left Cayucos
The Navarro left her berth about ten minutes
before the Los Angeles aud consequently was
some distance ahead. At about noon Captain
Leland went below 10 dinner, leaving the second
officer In charge, who was soon relieved by the
third officer, Elisha Hubbard. lie testities that
al the lime lie took charge lie noied the Navar-
ro's position about three to foGr points off the
Los Angeles port bow and three quarters of
mile distant: He also testitles that in coming
up with the n avarro lie sounded no signal what
ever as to his intention about passing which
omission on his part was violation OF Rule VIII
Of the PoIs Rules and Regulations OF Steamers
Mr. Hubbard Is licensed as Master of steam
vessels, coastwlse, 500 tons gross; and for rea-
son oil his negligence We have this date sus.
pended bis license for thirty days. Captain An
derson Of the Navarro Is exonerated from blame
In connection with the collision.
The other report was as follows:
Sir: We have to report that at 9:15 o'clock
A. NJ. September 18th last. the steamer AJAX
1891 tons gross. A. Donald son. master, from
Empire City, Oregon. for San francisco, struck
on rocks al Blounts Reef of the coast OF Hum
boldt County, Cal, during a dense fog, and
shortly aftefward foundered near Shelter Cove
After The steamer struck everything possible
was zone 10 keep her afloat but tile water gaIeed
rapidly and caused the engines to stop at 2:3o
P. NJ. the same day.. AT 1913 O'clock all the pas
sengers and crew left In the steamers boats
and arrived safely at Shelter Cove at 6 o'clock.
The Ajax was wooden steamer, built In 1888
at San Francisco, and was valued at S125,OOO
Upon investigation Of this casualty we find
that The Ajax left Empire City Oh September
18th at o'clock In the aftefnoo and expert
eDced clear weather till o'clock In the morning
September 18th, when dense fog set In. Cap
tain Donaldson was at that time on an Off shore
course, south by east ODehaf east, 10 clear
Cape Mendocino, and al o'clock In the morning
he hauled the steamer a half point more off
shore. AT $3.50, finding by the log that lie had
Overrun his distance four miles, he concluded
the steamer was we'll off shore and altered his
course 10 southeast by south. three-uuarters
soulh AT 9:15 the steamer struck.
The testimony In this case shows that Captain
Donaldson used due diligence In navigating the
Ajax. and we conclude that an unusual and
strong current, or some arrangement Of the COM
pass, must have SET the AJAX out of the masters
Intended course. Under all circumstances we
cannot attach any blame to Captain Donaldson
and must credit him with the seamanlike ability
ne displayed after the steamer struck.