Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-30
THE LOST DESPATCH.
Important Testimony Given Before the Court
Of Inquiry Today.

When the court met this morning John Cur
tin, water tender on the Despatch. said he was
asleep when she struck and he went up on deck
at once and saw what he took to be a red light.
Tn. vessel was carrying twenty pounds of
steam. Harry Hudson, landsman, said
that the light looked red TO him.
Joseph Harder, ordinary seaman. stated that
he was on the lookout on the cat-head at 2
O'Clock on the morning of the 10th, and he
sighted red light about three points on the
starboard bow. This is the man who sang out
to the officer of the deck that there was a
light no."
The court was then cleared for consultation
and when it was reopened the judge advocate
announced that he had another batch of men
belonging to the Despatch and would like TO
swear them all and read to them the report of
the commander Of the vessel in order that they
might affirm or disprove it.
ANOTHER BATCH OF MEN.
They were called into the room and ranged
in line as follows: w. r. Ormande, second
class fireman; Lawrence O'Neill. seaman; Abra-
ham Andfinsen, coxswain; James Washington.
tain's steward: George II. Wade, ward
room cook; Charles Nelson. cabin cook;
Theodore Huber. machinist; Gustav
johnson, coxswain; Thomas Harms, boat
swain's mate: Edw. H. Johnson. oiler; Harry
Egan, quartermaster: Thos. Taylor. landsman;
ored). seaman.
They were then sworn and all listened atten-
lively to the reading of the captains report.
Then the question was put whether they had
any charge to lay to any officer or man on the
Despatch or anything to object to in the re-
port. The answer unanimously In the
negative.
COMMODORE DEwEYs EXPERT TESTIMONY.
Commodore Geo. Dewey, chief of the bureau
of equipment, Navy Department, was asked
If he had ever noticed shore lights look red
from the sea when they should have been an
other color. He said that in February, 1885,
when commanding the L. s. s. Pensacola. on
her way home from Europe, he saw Cape
Charles light. a white fash light, as a red fash
light. 1t was in sight for several hours and
every one on deck saw the light as
a red fash, and it was taken for
Curratuck light which is red. When the ship
reached Hampton Roads il was learned that il
tain circumstances the Cape Charles light al
WAYS showed as a red fash light.
Ensign A. p. Niblack and Lieut. ]. ID. Adrians
had had similar experience.
COMMODORE FoLoER.
Commodore W. s. Folger. chief Of the bureau
Of ordnance, Navy Department. stated that
during the past two summers he had spent
several days on the steamer Despatch the
guest Of the Secretary on her journeys
bay He had always noted the
discipline and general methods on board. which
were particularly interesting. as the vessel was
the ''yacht of the administration" He was fire.
quently on deck at night and was particularly
struck with the evident care Of Lieut. Cowles
In regard to navigation.
LIEUT.. oowLEs MAKES A STATEMENT.
% After recess Lieut. Cowles took the stand and
made a statement in order to explain the
H. ~.
deck. He said that il was customary on board
the Despatch to allow the officer of the
deck to edge back into position whenever
the vessel might be set out or in, and report
the change in the morning. As the Despatch
was usually on river work it would have been
| impossible to have all little deviations
| from the established course reported when
thew were made. He concluded by
remarking: "a sailor is q sailor, and being on
Q movable platform You cannot expect that
rigidity from him that you can from o soldier. ''
THE CONDITION OF THE LIGHTS.
Commander George W. Coffin, naval score
tary of the light house board. from the records
of his office told his story Of the condition of the
lights on the Virginia and Maryland coast
WHERE TIE DRIFT WAS
| Areport from James r. Mason, who was in
charge Of the Drift, dated October 81, wa
read He stated that on Saturday, October 10,
the day Of the wreck, the Drift was on her Sta
ton. At midnight on Sunday, with gale blow.
ing, he found her TO be making some water. and q,
/ 8 o clock on the morning Of the 18th, Monday,
the starboard part Of the bride Of the moorine
chain parted and later the entire chain gave
way and the vessel was scudded before thu
wind.
| Lieut. Commander Dayton asked the witness
II he had anything reported 10 him - 10 the
| reliability Of the man In charge Of the Drift
| and he read lstter from Commander HarrinR
ton, In which he statsd thss Mr.. Mason wss n
Nh. JAxHs r. OnTxR NO longer sells th,
sShsaf' brand Of butter. having replaced I
| With the Sow" brand, which b fAr superio
| and yet offered at the same price. James p
Oysters main depot 10 in the Marble building
corner eth and PennsylvsniA avenue north
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