New-York tribune., 1890-06-19
THE CITY OF PARIS'S MISHAP.
CHIEF ENGINEER WALLS, CAPTAIN WATKINS
AND OTHERS TESTIFY CONCERNING
THE ACCIDENT.

Liverpool Juno 1s.--Chief Engineer Walls gave
further testimony today at the inquiry into the accident
10 the steamer city Of Paris. lie said that the largo
pumping power available applied until the vesscl
reached Queenstown. This partly inchcctiai'
owing the fact that the large pipes of the condenser
open the sea. broken. but the pumps reduced
the water in the cargo holds that the total quantity
of water in the ship being reduced before the
arrival Of the vessel at Queenstown All the men IN
his department worked splendidly
The witness first realized the extent OF the damage
when he the ship in the craving dock lie had no
doubt that the after bearing first wore out and thch
the shaft broke and the engine collapsed. lie was
sure the bearing ont owing TO the brass liner
bursting. but he could not suggest reason for the
liner breaking. When the divers at Queenstown
closed the outside openings the ships pumping power
speedily freed her Of water. There was watertlght
door in the bnlkhead between the engnerooms' anu
two between the engine and dynamo rooms all capable
OF being closed from the upper main deck. as well
as from the level Of the doors. These all closed WITH
ease promptly. The bnllIhcad between the engine
room and after boiler room kept quite sound IL
bulgcd half an inch AT point. but showed no signs
Of leaking 1--WE shorcd it, said the witness. simply
as an extra precaution because afraid 81
IT, No holes made through the skin OF the SNIP
There hole in the inner bottom. caused by a
piece Of machinery falling the cranhpt being forced
through but. being double hOttomed the vessel ala
rot admit water. Under ordinary cHcnhlNi'''cN al
sea connections could DC easily got at and closed IL
rcqured very large volume Of water in the engine
room to prevent getting al and shutting them bat tho
inrish was very sudden and very great
CAPTAIN Watkins testified that the City OF Paris
carried fore and aft sails Of 900 square feet scle
10 steady and keep her head 10 the wind hlt III u.is
case the weather fine aud there was 10 Nlhu' he
did not send a boat OIL ~ tr't bccau,c the steamer
was in the track OK vessels but he sent one ont I'M
mcdiatey after he found that she was getting out
Of the track He had aboard ample lfcboatS {" carry
of all and without dOUhtuC th" safety ~ inc SNIP
he had 10 boats prepared with rovsionS, blanl sn
Peter samson, principal asslrtAh. 81 ''c '1'Iu VI
Trades chief engineer r. said he had cariullt OK
amncd The CITY uf Par, after the accident. llc ap
proved the coI,iru ton OF the vessel lie considered
Ic accident due to the bursting ~ the bras ln'r
from some unknown cause. lie gave the details oi
experiments show ng possibility that hrnum NI'Ao
EXPANDED more after immersion than he or any one
else had hitherto supposed II would.
sir Edward Reed Vi e.. late chicf constructor of the
Navy aid he had - lmin"d the -p"'ln'dpnN Or lh'
huU and machinery of the steamer aud Lad also
made a careful examination ~ the vessel H. found
many evidences Of the great care cNcrci~c1 hN IN"
builder in adapting the vessel TO the service which
she was to perform.