The evening world., 1894-06-27
his TUG WAS !
OVERLOADED.
Capt Hyde, Of the Inflated
NiCol, Admits This to
the Inspectors.
THERE MAY Be INDICTMENTS
So Says Assistant q. 8. District
Attorney Mott at the
Official Inquiry.
NEARLY NINETY on BOARD.
Gross II Not Criminal Careless ne: s
Apparent, from the Testimony
Of Witnesses.
NEARLY NINETY on BOARD.

An offlcial investigation to ascertain
the causes which led to the laundering
OF the tug James d. Nicol near Scot
land Lightship Sunday was begun be-
fore United States Inspectors of Steam
Vessels James Fairchild and Thomas
H. Barrett In room 1856 of the Federal
Building at 1890 o'clock this morning.
Assistant United States District
Attorney John o. Mott informed an
Evening World" reporter shortly
before the inquiry began, that the
owner and captain Of the Nicol
were In a delicate position, and might be
held liable for mans. aughter II the in
vestigat on established that the tug had
been overloaded in violation Of law.
How many men did the Nicol have
on board?" asked Mr.. Mott.
Between seventyAve and eighty. 1t is
believed"
"Forty-fve."
IF that Is true I don't see why they
are not responsible and should not be
indicted. Their action II conas.ained OF
by the United States Inspector OF Steam
Vessels or any other person. would prob
ably result In proceedings against them
by the District-Attorney.
'I have not looked the matter up. and
don't know whether It is case for the
State or Federal prosecuting officers.
While the accident occurred on the high
seas. which would make 1t United
States offense, yet the overlooking took
place at the wharf. which might give
the State Jurisdiction"
The Federal authorities will probably
await the result of the inspectors in
quiry before taking action.
The corridor leading to the inspectors
y once was crowded at an early hour
\. with members of the crew and their
ysiends and survivors Of the wreck and
Atk.oAacquaintances Of the missing eN-
cursfohists. The room in which the
inquiry was held. however, was too small
to accommodate the crowd. and only
the witnesses under examination and
reporters were admitted.
Capt. Hyde's story.
Capt. John Hyde. Of the James D.
Nicol, was the first witness sworn. He
testified that he had license as pilot
and captain. and had been in command
of the tug since Dec. u, 1898. Raymond
Kelly, q deep sea pilot. was also on
the time on the day of the disaster.
1.-THE license of the Nicol was dis
played in a prominent place on board.
where all persons could see It," said
Hyde. I'VE were authorized to carry
forty-fve passengers and our regular
crew.
Ibid you count the people as they
came on board?" was asked.
II did not"
Ibid you know your vessel was over
faded?"
81 thought she was"
Ibid you protest against IT,"
Eyes, did. A great many people came
on board and said they were just going
to cross over to a vessel lying outside
Of us, but a number stayed on board.
I objected. but 1t did no good"
"Did you have any liquor on board?"
Eyes. believe from twelve to fifteen
cases Of beer were brought on board by
the excursionists."
was any one drunk on board?"
Eyes; most of the excursionists were
somewhat under the influence Of liquor.
"How about the crew."
I'm quite positive that none OF the
SDid Kelly, who assisted you at the
,,1.; J. have license as a deep sea
S"i understand he has"
Don't you know"
II can't say. never saw his license, "
Doesn't Know His Duty.
"Isn't It your duty. before surrender
ing the wheel at sea to any one. to
know that the person Is licensed
well, it might be. I thought he was
Capt. Hyde also testified that he had
most OF the time When asked II he did
not know that II was contrary to law
10 have persons in the pilot-house while
At sea, he said he did not.
The tug was in good condition he said
when he left New York and perfectly
seaworthy. He received no instructions
take on board. having been told merely
that he was to take an excursion party
William Reeves. agent and manager
Of the Reeves Towing Company testified
tnat the James ID. Nicol had been car.
rying exclusion parties down the bay of
and on for the past eight or nine years
and made between eight and ten such
"ws s reeves was excused until he could
communicate with a number OF VII
= Charles Kirchner testified that he was
the representative OF the Herring
Fishing Club. - LA, 4.
SUPERINTENDENT of the Company for q
fug 10 take the Club to the fshing
banks and return. We were to pay Sl
Tor the trip l wanted the tug sammy
but the Superintendent said that the
sammy was engaged. The Nicol, hi
said. was {. setter boat, and could carry
sixty-hve persons,
Are you sure OF that!
Eyes, sir. 49,,
board?"
Nearly Ninety People on Board.
well. after leaving pier we collected
.ixty-three tickets. 81 In cash; there
were seven deadhead members of tht
club. two boy helpers, Ave members Of
the crew and about eight or ten Others
"That makes over eighty .people?
Eyes, sir: about eighy-six or eighty
"The people were not counted as the!
came on board by any one. that saw