New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-22
LIQUOR ON THE ENTERPRISE
STARTLING QUESTIONS FOR THE OFFICERSs
MORE TINE WANTED TO ANSWER THEM-wAs
THE VESSEL A HAPPY ONE1

touch of investigation at the McCalla Court OF
Inquiry yesterday. The morning session was oc-
cupied in the hearing Of the complaint OF Chlch
Engineer Entwistlc against Commander McCallas
but it toward the close of the afternoon ses-
sion that question by the court relating to the
use of intoxicating liquors by the officers put
lively ending to an interesting day. lhls ques-
ton was called by one of the audience Admiral
Kimbcrly's grape-shot' and was. in vulgar par
lance, "a Knockout" for Executive Officer lnger-
soil, who called upon to answer this unex'
pectcd Interrogation and give evidence as to the
peccadloes of his messmates.
The case of Chief Engineer Entwistlc was the
first to come up. Lieutenant Werlich acted as
the Chiefs counsel, and showed that If he had
not been a naval officer he would have been a
good lawyer. Commander McCalla took the stands
being called by Lieutenant Werlich, and testified
that he had given Chief Engineer Entwistle
orders to report TO him all repairs made in the
machinery or boilers. He had told him not to
use salt water except at sea. At Lisbon he had
given him permission to use salt water, fresh
water being too dear. At Plymouth England. on
January Of this year. he gave the Chief En-
gnecr permission to make some repairs on boiler
No. g. He told the executive officer to inform
the Chief Engineer that fresh water would be
used in boiler No. 3. "On January | learned
that my orders had been disobeyed,' continued
Commander McCalla, "and that salt water had
been put into boiler No. g. | sent for the Chief
Engineer 10 come to my cabin and asked him
why my orders had been dsobcycd. He referred
10 previous conversation Of in regard
TO the of salt and fresh water and l told
him that what had said on the Riviera had moth
ing to do with this case He said oh, well.
there is no harm done, it can be pumped out again
to<3
me and prevented me from explaining in what
respect he had disobcycd my orders. As he was
about 10 leave my cabin he said What is all
this about anyway? then warned him to he
silent and told him that | was administering
gentle rcproof to him. He became angry and
replied Am | 10 be treated like plckpocket!
This is disgmccful. it is Shameful I sent for
Lieutenant lngcrsoll and having written down
the Chief Engineers words. read them aloud and
asked him in Lieutenant lngersoll's presence if he
had said them. He acknowledged that he had.
Captain McCalla then told how he had reported
the Chief Engineer 10 the Department for using
these words while he was administering a private
rcprimand and how he had placed the Chief En-
gnecr under suspension He read a copy of his
report to the Department. in which he had put,
beside the affair for which the Chief Engineer
reported, general account of all the sins
of omission and commission of which that officer
had been guilty in the course of the
cruise. This. lie Said. 10 show the Depart
mcnt that the chief engineer was not entitled
10 consideration on this occasion. In reply to
questions by Lieutenant Werlich he said that he
had not furnished the chief engineer with copy
Of his report TO the Department. did he con-
slider that the regulations required it.
Chief Engineer Entwistlc then testified. He
said that the salt water had been put in boiler
no. 3 for the purpose of testing some repairs 10
a leak which had been discovered. He tried 70
explain this to the Commander when he sent for
him to come to the cabin. but the Commander
constantly interrupted him and would not let
him explain Finally Commander McCalla said.
shaking his finger at him angrly: Il care
nothing for your opinion. Then the chief
engineer acknowledged that he became angry in
his turn and asked if he were 10 be treated like
a pckDocllet. He never furnished with
copy of the charges against him. but was given
10 understand that they were us entered in the
ships log and referred to the use of these words
OF the supplement 10 the report containing .
statement of previous offences. he was never
informed He was not told by the Commander
at the time Of the interview in the cabin that he
was receiving private rcprlmand.
In the afternoon Assistant Engineer Bennett.
ary and proper after boiler had been repaired
for a leak to ill it with salt water 10 see If the
leak had been stopped. Lieutenant Werlich then
summed up for the chief engineer.
Fireman Btncr then testified 10 having seen
Lieutenant Mulli.an use a swaD as n gag for
Walker when the latter was in ore Cf his tan
trums Lieutenant Mulli-an took the witness
IN hand 10 crosscNamrc him.
How large was THIS swab?' asked the Leu
tenant.
l,.l l.u,l, rc, foot lono
Did put the cnd of the handle in Walkers
month"; Here was great chance for the lover
of the picturesque III narration common u all whc
sail the hlac' anu this sailor rose to tile oc-
casOn. replying: .
YES. sir. ali the handle and part of the swab'
Lieutenant Mullasan said he had 10 more
Then came tie last act in the days drama.
with red lights and all the accessories. Judge
Advocate Garst put Lieutenant lngcrsoi in the
witness char and read the following question
prepared by the coHlt:
Was tie Enterprise considered a happy and
coutcntcd ship? II not, why
Mr. Mcnllcs was on lis feet III moment and
said: We have heard of these questions. and
that they have been shown 10 several officers.
As they bear on Captain cCallas administration
of the affairs OF the ship. request that copies
l,. furnished Ms and that have until tomorrow
20 prepare for them" The request was granted
and a string of questions was handed TO the law
YER Here are TWO questions which the court
has prepared. said Admiral Kimberly, which
have not uccn shown, and the court will ask
them" Lieutenant GaIst then read the follow
ipg DO YOU know OF any officers being lntem-
pcratc in the Use of intoxicating liquors? IL So
name them. and the occasion or occasions.
Mr.. Mcnzics came to his feet with bound this
time The audience caught their brcaths and
wondered if the newspaper accounts OF those
little pranks at Alters and Bermuda were TO be
ivcsti- -Ated Lieutenant lngersoll was speech-
less Admiral Kimberly explained that the qnes.
iinn referred only to eases on BOARD ship Of oftt-
GERS on duty or on duty. Lieutenant lngersoll
in some confusion named Assistant Enginecr Ben.
nett Naval Cadet Davis. Lieutenant Iemly and
Lieutenant Werlich. He said that Lieutenant
Lcmly was intoxicated AT Nillcfranchc and at Lis.
hon These officers were sent for, Lieutenant
Lcmly arriving Immediately. but the others not
until after the adjournment of the court
Lieutenant lngerso stopped tcstifying and
asked that the full question and his testimony
hc read 10 him. He then took back all bis testt-
mony except that in relation 10 Assistant Engineer
Bennett and Cadet Davis. But Lieutenant Lem: