The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-19
THE STATE TOBLAME.
Capt. Parker Suspended for
Sinking Tug Mystic.
y. p. STEAMERS MAY COME BACK
Ship Annie n. Smith Beats the Crimp0-
Nelson 4 Fort sheppard Contract
Receiver fer the Nonon.

The license Of Capt. g. H. Parker. Of the
steamer State of Washington. has been
suspended for ffty-four days by the local
INSPECTORS of steam vessels, Capt. w. J.
BRYANT and Capt g. w. Bullene. in con-
sequence of the collision by which the tug
Mystic was sunk. The steamer State Of
Washington and the steam tug Mystic
colIided about 400 yards off Schwabacher's
wharf on the evening of February II at 10
O'Clock. The local inspectors held an in
vestigation shortly after the collision, but
the decision was not made public until
yesterday. The findings in the case are
% follows:
The steamer State Of Washington, with freight
and passenger cast on her lines from the City
dock 1t or about 10 o'clock and proceeded on
her voyage towards Everett After swinging on
her course the jingle bell was given to 60 ahead
full speed
The steam tug Mystic at or about 10 o'clock
u m OF same date anchored her tow of Depot
street sad was proceeding 20 her landing,
known an Buildings boathouse She was feeling
!, her way along under slow bell and heard the
! signal from the state Of Washington when her
Lines were cast OF from the City dock.
! II appears from the evidence that the night
.wss dark, with . thick fog prevailing: that the
State o: Washington was running at full speed.
constantly hearing the fog signals OF Tn ap-
preaching steamer and replying to the same,
until just before the collision. As the lights of
the tug Mystic doomed up the bells were given
90 siow down and back, but her speed was not
checked sufficient to avoid Q collision She
:struck the Mystic on the starboard bow. near
Hhe pilot house, and within q few minutes the
Mys,ic sank in thlrtv-two fsthoms OF water, the
fcrew barely escaping with their lives.
: The Mystic was proceeding to her landing I'M
Pier slow bell, barely having steerage way on
~t,A hspf a<y All n rola M
E.bout thirty seconds When the State of Wash
tugton iooned UP. bearing down on her. tho
tsngls bell was given on the tug, hoping TO
Force her out clear of the approaching steamer.
but before she gathered Roadway the collision
occurred.
! The facts In the case are plain. We have. At
4arious times, in our findings cautioned the
masters and pilots OF steam vessels against run
Ping at full speed In q thick fog when approach
4ig another steamer.
1The tact of the state OF Washington running
4 full speed out Of the harbor in . dense fog
4id knowing that they were approaching
Hiothe- steamer IL In direct violation OF rule 81.
s4ction s.2sS. Revised Statutes of the United
t3afes, which reads ~ follows: EVERY steam
s2sei, when approaching another vessel, 30 as
Il involve risk OF collision, shall slackcn her
sieed, or, If necessary. stop and reverse; and
esery steam vessel sh all. when in Q Jog, go at n
n.odcrate speed" 1t Is apparent that IL Capt
f$rxsr had been proceeding out OF the harbor
u,tder . slow bell and with q proper lookout
IFS collision might have been avoided.
FOR violation o! rule Il. OF section 4.233. Re-
vsed Statutes OF the United States, and for
negligence and unskillfulness the occasion
o.tthe collision between steamers State OF WASH
i,Ston and Mystic, whereby property was
dliroyod and lives endangered, by authority
csferred upon us by section 4,4Jo, Re-
vited statutes Of the United States, the license
of4G. II. Parker a. master and pilot OF steam
vessels has this day been suspended for fifty.
fo3r days from date.
Il the Mystic was proceeding up the harbor
nj! Ter slow bell and with due precaution We
hsieby exouerate her officers from all blame OF
thsS collisiou