The morning call., 1893-12-13
TERRIBLE FALL.
Hurled From the MiZZen-
Top to the Deck.
How Harry Watson Became a Help
less Cripple-His Suit for DAM
ages on Trial.

Poor crippled Harry Watson was wheeled
inr0 tie United States Circuit Court yesterday
morning TO tell Judge McKeuna and jury the
, story of how he was hurled from the miZZen-
top of the ship Oriental fn October, 1892, and
made a cripple for life.
Watson Is indeed IN a piIabie condition.
His left leg has been amputated half way be-
tween the knee and hip joints and his righ leg
IS useless because OF a frac ure of the knee
FONT He is maciated fIOm long Illness and
bears but little resemblance TO the strong,
hearty sailor that lie must have been little
over year ago.
just who is TO blame for Watson's present
condition Is what The jury in Judge Mchenna's
court is as ed 10 determine, for the crippled
sailor IS suing Blair. tie owner OF the vessel,
for heavy dam ages on account OF the injuries
lie sustained while in his service, basiDg his
cfalnl: upon the allegation that The executive
officer In charge OF the ship al the time OF the
accident was responsible for it because OF his
having disregarded all caution and repeated
warnings and ordering the crew o fairly pull
the man on his perch, which was almost 100
feet above the decks. The owner and officers
OF he Oriental say In answer that the accident
was unavoidable and that il was case OF
where there was no one TO blame.
The story is in brief as follows: The ship
Oriental, laden with coal, sailed from NanImo
for san Francisco in October 1892. On the
way down it was discovered that one of the
masts was out Of plumb and an effort was made
10 spring il back into place. Watson and COM
papion, being among the most agile men OF the
crew, were sent alOft to the mlZZen-top TO at
tend TO he fastening OF the necessary gear
when thS mast should be pulled into place.
strong block and tackle was used In the work,
the rope being hauled by the caDstan. Watson
was seated in perilous position at best, ard
he claims he discovered that the men on deck
were pulling too hard on the mast and that the
braces and bolts would not stand the pressure.
Whether he gave this warning or noS. or
whether If given il was heard by the officer of
lhe deck, Is one OF the questions for the jury.
The result was that Watson was hurled 10 the
decks by he breaking of a bolt upon which too
in had h0- F.l0 nd IThfa in
breaking released he spar that swept him from
his lofty perch. The accident occurred on
Tuesday, and 1t was not until he following
Sunday that the man. picked up from the decks
more dead than alive, reached this mort.
\ Everything possible had b en- done on snip
board TO relieve his sufferngs. but with their
crude appliances the officers aud crew were
abe 10 be Of great ASST lance. Nhat wat
sons sufferings were during the four days be
o. lay IN bis littr bunk on lht ship can better oe
imagined than described. They left their traces
on his face. and wneD be at last emerged from
the hospital il was as a hopeless cripple.
The testimony given in the case yesterday
was that Of the defendan and the man VINO
was with him on the mlZZen- op, ana then the
attorneys began reading The deposition OF Other
members OF the crew. who IN following thelr
calling as sailors were unable TO be present
Snu .1 a1asis IN person. Inc case WI! 70 W. w
DAY and VIII probably reach the jury this alter
:. noon.
= Judge McKenna adjourned court yesterday
aLtefnooh at just 10 minutes after o'clock,
anu natsons chalr was quickly wheeled OUT oI
tue courtroom 10 the elevator. The elevator
Iaa sIoppeo running Just on the tick OF
~ ciocn, anu HortS made TO find The engineer
were una'alllng. Then IL was that the u er
nelplessness OF the manned sailor became ap-
parent. he was 10 the thiIu story OF The build
ing dnu ubaDie TO move except when 10 his
cnali, whieh be could not wheel down the
stars. FOR time it looked as If the poor
i. 1eHow would b. compelled 10 remain in the
coIIiuoie az nlgnt, Out the janit0rs CAM TO the
Iescu ano picking him up carried him and his
chair to the street.