Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-21

LleulendnI SIeele, OF tIle I HltSu S'''SS Wv
airy. has his reputation for veracity i'm
peached.
New YORK, March 2O-At the McCalla
investigation this morning the Court, In
~eply to counsel for Commander McCalla,
stated that it would report its conclusions as
to the facts that il may deem established by
the evidence, but not opinions as to whether
further judicial action should be taken.
Admiral Kimberly said the proceedings
were those OF court of inquiry only; it
wasn't a courtmartial, and Commander
McCalla was not on trial.
The charges made by Captain McCalla
against Ensign Klein for being asleep while
on d1ty on January Is, 1890, were then pro-
ceeded with. Ensign Klein said that he
was wrongfully accused by Captain Nc
Gala of being asleep while on watch. The
court then decided to hear McCalla' charges
against Klein. McCaIla said the ship was
anchored in the Schelot, few miles below
Antwerp.
ASLEEP ON DUTY.
HeIwas was awakened between midnight
and o'clock. and remembering the
sheet chains were not fast, called his
orderly, but received no response. This
lasted for 10 minutes, then he got up and
dressed. Not finding any one on the spar
deck he went to the pilot house and there
found Mr.. Klein asleep in one chair with
his feet on another. The Commander said
he shook Klein roughly and the Ensign
awoke. The witness also stated that he
found that the QuartermaSter was absent
from the quarter deck and the orderly ab-
sent from the cabin door. The witness said
he then called the executive officer and
ordered the men confined. and the Ensign
under arrest on a charge of being asleep on
post and denying it. The witness added
that he was indignant that the ship
should be placed in jeopardy by the officers
OF the deck.
A FLAT DENIAL.
Ensign Klein then told his story. He
said: "Shortly after coming on watch l
went aft to look at the steam cutter that was
towing astern. After taking bearings by
the light on land, L took several turns on
the bridge. Then / went into the pilot
house and closed the weather door. About
] o'clock / received a message from Lieu
tenant Werlich, whom 1 relieved, to look
out for the steam launch when the tide
swerved. Between one and two bells 1
walked to the bridge and went into the pilot
house and sat down ahaft the wheel. Then
the sentry reported to me lights and pris-
oners all right. Later the Quartermaster
asked leave to go to the head. His request
/ granted. Shortly after L heard the cabin
bell ring two short peals. followed by two
long ones. Then / heard Commander Nc
Gala come up and attempt to open the door
to the pilot house. He called out: Get up,
sir and entering, said: You were asleep
AT the time | was on nv feet.
ORDERED UNDER ARREST.
Commander McCalla said to the orderly
and Quartermaster: ''YouIhave been asleep
Then he asked for the officer of the deck AT
the time witness stood within five feet of
McCalla He told witness to put both men in
double irons. He again charged witness with
sleeping, and was met with denial but
suspension by the executive officer was or
dered. He (witnesS) stood watch on the
bridge instead of the quarter deck becauseo of
the heavy squalls. McCalla all this time was
much excited and would receive no explana-
tion. No explanation was allowed from wit
ness that he had given the Quartermaster
permission to go to the head when the latter
and the orderly were ordered into irons
Apprentice S. r. Graham, Quartermaster
of the watch, was the next witness. He told
how Klein gave him permission to 90 to the
head. He was not gone from his post more
than seven or eight minutes.
sNUBBING THE ADMIRAL.
John Flynn, the orderly on deck at the
time, told how he carried the message to
Ensign Klein from Lieutenant Werlich
The witness went below and washed clothes
until 12:40. Later the Captain ordered him
to light his cabin. Witness did not hear
the Captains bell ring. 1t was then brought
out that witness stood watch for the Quar-
termaster while the latter went to the head
Admiral Kimberly-Is it usual for the
orderly or corporal of the guard to keep out
look for the Quartermaster in his absence?
Witness-It is usual, you know, sir.
Admiras-No, L don't know. 1t is what
/ want to find out
Witness said that this did not interfere
with his duties as orderly. He admitted,
however, that if the Captain called him dur
ing the Quartermaster's absence there would
be no lookout.