Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-03-21
TABLES TURNED.
INVESTIGATING COUNTER CHARGES OF CAPT.
McCALLA AGAINST ENSIGN KLEIN
The Defendant Discovered Asleep While on Watch
The Safety Of the Ship JeOPardi1ed-
The Quartermaster Of the Watch
is Placed on the Stand.

NEW YORK. March 20.-At the Nc
Gala investigation this morning. the
Court, In reply to counsel for Com
mander McCala, stated that it would
report its conclusions as to the facts
that il may deem established by the ev-
idence. but not opinions as TO whether
further judicial action should be taken.
Admiral Kimberly said the proceedings
were those of court Of inquiry only:
il was not a cOurt-martial, and Com
mander McCalla was not on trial.
The charges made by Capt. McCalla
against Ensign Klein for being asleep
while on duty on January 18th, 1890,
were then proceeded with. Ensign
Klein said that he was wrongfully ac-
cused by Capt. McCalla of being asleep
while on watch. The Court then de-
cidcd TO hear McCalla'S charges against
Klein. McCalla said the ship was an
chorcd in the SchclOt few miles below
Antwerp. He was awakened between
midnight and two o'clock, and remem-
bering the sheet chains were not fast.
called his orderly, but received no re-
SponSe. This lasted for fifteen minutes:
then he got up and dressed. Not find
ing anyone on the spar deck. he went TO
the pilot house, and there
FOUND MIR. KLEIN ASLEEP
I'm chair with his feet on another. The
Commander said he shook Klein rough
ly and the Ensign awokc. The witness
also stated he found that the Quarter
master was absent from the quarter
deck, and the orderly absent from the
cabin door. The witness said he then
called the executive officer and ordered
the men confined and the Ensign under
arrest ON 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.
Ensign Klein then told his story. He
said: Shortly after coming on watch
! went aft to look at the steam cutter
that was towing aStern. After taking
bearings by the light on land | took sew
cfal turns on the bridge. Then ] went
into the pilot house and closed the
weather door, About o'clock | re-
ceived a message from Lieut.. Werlich.
whom | relieved TO look out for the
| launch when the tide Swcrved. Between
one and two bells | walked to the bridge
and went into the pilot house and sat
down ahaft the wheel. Then the SEN
try reported To me lights and prisoners
all right. Later the QuartermaSter
asked leave TO 90 the head. His request
granted. Shortly after heard
TIE CABIN BELL RING
two short peals followed by two long
ones. Then | heard Commander Me
Gala come up and attempt to open the
door to the pilot house. He called ont:
Get up, sir" and entering. said: you
were asleep" At the time | was on my
| feet.
Commander McCalla said to the order
! ly and quartcrmaStcr: "NOu have 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
a denial. but suspension by the cNccu-
tive officer was ordered. He (witncSS)
stood watch on the bridge instead Of the
quarterdcck because Of the heavy
squalls. McCalla all this time was much
excited and would receive no cXplana-
tion. No explanation was allowed from
witness that he had given the quarter
master permission to go 10 the head
when the latter and orderly were order
ed into irons.
Apprentice :. K. Graham. quarter
/ 1t Ia. fh.
witness. He told how Klein had given
him permission to 90 to the head He
was not gone from his post more than
seven or eight minutes.
John Flynn. the orderly on deck at
the day time. told how he carried the
message to Ensign Klein from Lieut..
| Werlich The witness went below and
washed clothes until 12:iO. 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 quartcrmaStcr while the latter
went TO the head.
Admiral Kimbcrly-''Is it usual for
| the orderly or corporal of the guard to
! keep outlook for the quartermaster in
/ his ABSENCE"
Answcr-It is usual, you know, sir.
Admiral-"No, don't know. That
is what | want to find out.
Witness said that this did not inter
fere with his duties as orderly. He adj
mittcd. however, that If the captain
called him during the quartermastcr's
absence. there would no lookout. The
case goes on tomorrow.