Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-05
SALE OF THE ALvA.
Only $500 Given FOR tn. rncht-Investig.t
Ing the Collision.

Ing the Collision.
The wreck Of Mr.. W. X. vanderbilt's steam
yacht Alya, which sunk by collision with
the steamer Dimock Of Monomy Point. Mass.
has been sold at public auction in New York
The first bid was { 100. which was increased by
slo, $50 and 500 until it reached $500 at
which figure ii was knocked down TO the firr.
Of Perkins White Of Boston The Alya's
boats will be sold on Monday next at Ayers
yard, foot of 55th street BROOKLYN
The amount obtained for the Yacht was con-
sidered surprisingly small. rs it was expected
that $4,000 1t least would be offered IL l.
said that the Yacht cost between $3.50 900 and
goo 900. and before the wreck would have sold
probably for $25o 900 at least
The Ava WAS built by the Harlan d Hollinys<
worth Company ut Wilmington. Del. aud MAS
launched in October. lss5. she was one VI tho
largest and finest yachts afioat md looked like
an ocean steamer. She was q failure. however.
as far as speed was concerned. and although
she was very comfortable boat she could
scarcely get ont of her own way. Her deck was
fitted with three steel-plated cabins. one com
municating by a broad mahogany stairway with
the owners private apartments, which were the
finest ever seen on vessel Of any description.
The hull and the mechanical fittings alone cost
more than $500. 900. The dimensions Of the
yacht were as follows: Length over ali, Us
feet; length for tonnage, 257; length cn load
water line, 252; extreme beam. 80 03; nodded
beam, 81; extreme draught. 1905 feet.
AN OFFICIAL INQUIRY.
An Official inquiry was begun in Boston yes~
terday morning by the local board Of steamboat
inspectors into the sinking Of the ysnderbils
yacht Alva by the steamer H. r. Dimock
Capt. A. Is. Coleman Of the Dimock exhibited
his log book. which shosod that the steamer
w@s crossing through the fog at a very low rate
of speed when the collision took place. The
fret officer was on deck Mt the time OF the col
lision and was stationed at the bow. The wit
mess and quartermaster were in the pilot house.
heard no signals before the time Of collision,
no whistle. no bell; just before the collision
n shadow ahead and some sang ont. "Nessel
right ahead. and the engines were Immediately
reversed. Witness had never before seen .
vessel anchored anywhere near that spot. L.
order 20 have a good safe anchorage out Of tho
track the Ava would have had 20 go one
mile from where she was. The steamers fog
whistle was blowing constantly before the yhchi
was struck; the Yacht now lies about four time
her length to the eastward from where she
struck, hoping TO bring her up ON shoal ground,
Cornelius Baker. first officer OF the Dinos L,
who was on watch at the bow. testified that be
first saw the Alya half n minute before tho
steamer struck her; heard a iich. bell that
sounded like the bell buoy; when he heard tho
bell a second time the steamer was upon the
yacht; had seen sailing vessels anchored in Pol
lock Rip sluice. but they did not make n prace
tice OF 1t; never saw a steamer anchored there.
IL. +. Palmer. passenger the Dimock,
testified rs TO the main facts already given
The hearing WAS then suspended.