Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-02-27
.THB BOAT GOES down.
SAD FATE OF THB CHARLESTON, SUNDAY
NIGHT.
The Island Ferry in the Bottom Of the Kanawha.
Meeting of Stockholders Last Night
Action Taken.

The new Island ferry boat "Charles-
ton, " recently purchased by the Island
Ferry and Packet Company, sunk in
the Kauawha river Sunday night.
When this fact was circulated among
citizens Of the Seventh ward yesterday,
it became the sole topic OF converse
ton. II created no end OF speculation,
and a disposition was manifested to fix
the responsibility upon various people
who have been prominent In
the movement to boycott the
bridge companies. AS natural
result, the accident was greatly exag-
gerated. Many looked upon the situa-
ton as very grave, while others took
philosophical view, and had consldera-
BILE fun at the expense OF the leaders In
the movement to obtain cheaper rates.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr.. II. 2. Nc
Gregor, of the committee, received
telegram from Mr.. Everett, stating that
the boat is in IA feet Of water on the
outside of the guards, and s feet on
deck, but dry inside. The tele-
gram stated that the boat can
be raised. Mr. McGregor, after hur-
ried consultation, with some OF the
heaviest stockholders, selected Mr.. Ben
Goodwin, and sent him down over the
Ohio River road to look after the In
terests Of the company, enjolning him,
however, TO do nothing which would
commit the company to taking the boat,
since the matter OF ownership appears
to be involved in doubt.
The question of ownership of
the boat is very complicated
one. 1t appears that the local
company, after obtaining an option
upon the boat, sent two experienced
steam boatmen down to Charleston to
put the boat in shape for inspection.
When the men arrived, after a consul
tation with the authorities, it was de-
cioed to have the boat inspected at
Point Pleasant. Here another difficulty
arose. The agent Of the former
owners refused to relinquish the
property until he received notice
from Mr.. j. Wainwright, Of Pitts
burg. A telegram was sent TO
Mr.. Wainwright and he replied that the
boat would pass out OF his hands only
after receiving payment of the price
agreed upon. The committee then
placed 81, 500 in the Commercial Bank,
OF this city, subject to the order Of the
Pittsburg owners Of the boat.
When the news of the accident was
received, the question Of ownership was
generally discussed, but no decision was
reached which was in any
way comforting. The general
interest in the matter had
the effect Of bringing large numbers Of
Island citizens TO the Office Of Mr.. VIM.
b. Hearne, where il was announced in
the SUNDAY REGISTER that the cou Mt
ing of votes for directors wonld be
completed.
The actual business OF the meeting
was first disposed Of. When the count
was completed the vote stood as fol-
lows: NJ. j. McFadden 209, MyrOn
Hubbard 259, R. X. Giffin $50, VIM. Nc
Laughlin SO, Lewis Jones 144, II. p.
McGregor 500, George House 1872, r. e.
Mccoy SO, DR.. e. G. Myers lis, r. 5.
Kincheloe 5, Ed. Schenerlein Is, Chas.
b. Reed ,, w. II. Chapman PAT, Chas.
Lukens %, DIR. d. B. Best II, G. D. Nc
Carly SO, c. II. Merkel 4, j. P. Maxwell
"a, Geo. w. Robinson, jr., 63, j. 7.
Stone $40. E. Nj. Statler IS.
Before the vote was announced a
motion was made to amend the bylaws
to provide for thirteen Directors in
stead Of seven. The motion carried. 1t
was then decided TO issue call for an
other general meeting Of citizens, to he
held tonight at ST. Luke's Chapel,
Broadway.
Mr., Il. P. McGregor opened the dis
cussion regarding the accident to the
Charleston, by making a statement Of
the situation, and reading the kilograms
received by him. Mr.. Giffen stated
that 1t had been said by the owners Of
the boat that the hull was inspected
sixty days ago. He had learned that
this was not true, that the boat had
merely been relicensed.
Mr.. Stone asked If IL was true that
one Of the men sent 10 Charleston TO re-
present the Company, had made the
statement that he would not give S1,500
for the boat, that her decks were rotten;
and that il would require 81, 600 TO put
the boat in shape for operation. Mr..
McGregOr replied to the question. He
stated that Capt. Goodwin expressed
the opinion that the boat was not worth
more than $500. He objected priu-
ciDallv TO her decks, but his estimate
for the improvements necessary was
much higher than that of the other
members Of the Committee, and OF other
competent steam boatmen. Capt. Casper
Cllus stated that the Benwood ferry
boat was redecked last summer at cost
Of but S62.
Mr. McGregor reported that Mr..
Goodwin had been sent TO Charles
ton, to look after the company'S
interests. If the river would rise, and
the indications down there were for
rain, the boat might be destroyed. Mr..
Mendel moved to instruct the men at
Charleston TO raise the boat at once.
To this Mr.. Sommerville objected. If
You have any doubt as TO your liabii-
ty," be said, "you would better not do
that which would establish a liability
which may not now exist" Capt. Gil
lus said he understood the boat was in
sured. If it was raised the insurance
company would not stand the expense.
The insurance company should be noti-
fed. Mr.. Mendel's motion was lost
In the absence Of any positive
opinions, or any definite information
bearing on the matter, il was finally de-
cided to authorize Mr.. VIM. II. Hearne
10 20 Pittsburg to-day, 10 consult the
insurance authorities, Mr.. Wainwright,
and the National Bank Of Commerce,
and to take such action as he may be-
lieve to be to the best interests Of the
local company.
NOTES OF TaE KIVEE