Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-20
PILOTS S us PENDED
In Consequence Of the Collision Between
the Wakefield and Randall
The inspectors Impose Ten Days suspen-
sion on Both Pilots, Holding Them Guilty
OF Misconduct-The Report in Full.

The pilots Of the steamers Wakefield and
Randall have been suspended for a ueriod Of
ten days. This action was taken by GEN. Du.
mont, the supervising inspector general OF
steam vessels. as the result of the vestieatiou
which he directed should be made into the cir
cumstances OF the race and the collision be-
tween the two vessels on the oath of June. an
account Of which was published in TIE STAR,
The report OF the inspectors who conducted the
investigation is as follows:
STEAM VESSEL INSPECTION SERVICE.
OFFICE OF LOCAL INSPECTORS,
BALTIMORE, Nd, July 10, 1893.
Hon. JAMES A. DUMoNr,
Sup'g Insp. General Of Steam Vessels,
Washington, d. C.
S1R: We have the honor to report that this
board held an investigation July Z, 1898, at
Washington. D. c., to determine the cause that
led to the collision that occurred June "A, 1898.
between the steamers Wakefield and Harry
Randall on the Potomac river nearly abreast Of
Chatterton, Va.
Thirty-three witnesses were examined in the
case. We find the following facts a. taken from
the evidence: June "a, 1898, about noon, the
steamer Wakefield backed out from Smiths
wharf, on the Potomac river, bound to Chatter.
ton, on the Virginia side About the same time
the steamer Harry Randall. bound down the
river with an excursion party on board, was ap-
preaching the Wakefield astern. The Randall
blew one blast of her steam whistle and re.
ceived one in reply from the Wakefield. The
Randall came close up on the starboard quartz,
run side by side for a distance Of
five or six miles at a rapid rate
Of speed, and about one-half mile out of her
regular course. When abreast Of Chatterton
the Randall blew one blast Of her steam whistle
and put her helm hard a starboard, and in at
tn ho aloGa cf;u
broadside collision, but doing no damage owing
to the prompt action Of the captain of the
steamer Wakefield in putting his helm a
starboard, stopping his engine and blowing the
danger signals, allowing the Randall to pass.
We are OF the opinion that both captains are
at Ault. The captain of the steamer Wakefield,
after having proceeded rs far as Thorn's gut
where his course changes from s. by E. to S.S.E.
| should have slowed down and allowed the Ran.
dali to proceed on her regular course, aud moi
continued to crowd her with his port helm.
The captain Of the steamer Harry Randall
after having reached abreast of Thorn's gut
where his course changes from 8. by z. to S. E.
by s.. and finding that the Wakefield stiil per-
sisted in crowding him with his port helm
should have slowed down and passed astern OF
her and not continued to run out Of bis course
in an effort to pass out ahead Of tho Wakeneld
This last maneuver, made whom near Chatter
ton, was reckless, and serious collision was
avoided only by the prompt action OF the cap
| tain Of the steamer Wakefield:
We hereby suspend the license Of D. E.
Owens, master and pilot Of the steamer Wake
field for period OF ten days from date, as pro-
yided for under section 1850, Revised Statutes,
for misconduct in endangering life on the &C.
casion Of the collision on the Potomac river
between the steamers Harry Randall aud the
Wakefield June a, 1898. We hereby suspend
the license Of Vim. D. Novel;, master and pilot
Of the steamer Harry Randall, for a period Of
ten days from date, as provided for under Sec
tiou 4450. Revised Statutes United States, for
misconduct" in endangering life on the occa-
sion Of the collision on the Potomac river be-
tween the steamers Harry Randall and the
Wakefield June "a, 1898.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN II. COOPER,
EDWIN F. WHITE,
Local Inspectors Of Steam Vessels.