New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-28
THURSDAY,
JUNE %, 1894.
CAPT. HYDE ON THE STAND.
BEGINNING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE
NICOL DISASTER.

MANY WITNESSES BEFORE INSPECTOR FAIR
CHnD-TEsTrMoNY IN FAVOR OF THE
TUG AND HER OFFICERS.
Inspector Fairchild. of the Board Of Steamboat
Inspectors. began an investigation at half-past
10 o'clock yesterday morning into the laundering
of the tugboat James ID. Nico which occurred
last Sunday. The investigation was conducted
in Room l65 on the top floor of the Federal
Building.
A number of people who had been rescued
from the Inflated tugboat beseg the inspectors
Offices. but all except the witnesses were ex-
cluded and waited outside for news Of what was
going on
The first witness called was Captain John
Hyde, of the Nicol. He told the story Of the
laundering of the Nicol. and ut times hestated
in replying TO the questions asked by Inspector
Fa!rchild. Hyde said that he had not counted
the number Of people board. as he did not
think 1t was any part Of his duty to do so. He
had left that all 10 the committee who had
charge of the excursion. He said that he had no
permit to carry passengers; In fact, he did not
know that it necessary at the time.
In answer to Inspector Farchd's questions.
the captain said that he believed that there were
a number Of kegs Of beer on board the Nicol.
but that he did not know who had charge OF
them. He was in the pil0t-house until the tug
was about to founder. Witness thought the
Nicol was perfectly seaworthy. The boat, he
said did not careen because Of the number Of
passengers on board, but because Of the heavy
sea.
Charles Richardson, Of No. 2O6 Walnut-st.'
PHILADELPHIA was next called He was pas
senger on the steamship Algonquin and saw the
disaster from the deck OF that vessel He said
he had gone on TO Boston after arriving at New
4 fn-ff fx n
II his duty 10 do so. lie described how the
Nicol had plunged into the sea and how sne
lurched to one side. shipping great deal OF
water He quite positive that the crew OF
the tug had done all they possibly could do to
avert the laundering of the vessel
Charles Krchner a member Of the committee
Of the Herring Club which chartered the Nico,
swOre that it was understood that she would
carry sxty-five passengers. He had collected
sixty-three tickets. Besides the passengers there
were on board the captain and the crew. Wit
ness said that twelve kegs OF beer had been taken
on board. but that only two had been emptied.
Witness was asked II he had seen any beer
carried into the pilot house. in reply 10 which he
said that he could not swear that beer was
taken inside the pilot house but that he did re-
member seeing a boy carrying beer toward the
stairs leading TO the pilot house. When the sea
began to grow rough witness said he asked the
pilot 10 weigh anchor and go 10 a safer spot.
The pilot did requested. taking about twenty
minutes 70 change the anchorage.
John Farrell the engineer OF the Nicol, said he
had been an engineer FOR eleven years. He had
always considered the Nico 10 be a first-class
vessel. He said he felt the boat rolling in an I'M
usual manner. and was surprised few moments
later TO the water rushing into the engine
room He received signals 70 slow down. which
he did Immediately. and then feeling that the
boat was about 10 sink rushed on deck and saved
his life.
Fireman Louis Hockrein. of the Nicol. testified
that number OF passengers crowded into the
room where he was at work He ordered them
out but they returned. When the boat was
sinking. lfOckrein said he hustled everybody out
Of the room and then fed for his life
Albert Hannah, deckhand. cOrroborated the
story told by Hyde in almost every particular.
Inspector Fairchild asked Hannah II he mad
noticed anybody intoxicated on board the Ncol
Yes SIR" was the prompt reply.
ibid You any Of the crew intoxicated"
NO sir" with equal promptness.
We'll. who was it you under the influence
of liquor?"
Some Of the passengers. did not see any one
)f the crew drink drop"
Hannah was the last witness Of Yesterdays
So on. Inspector Fsirchild then adjourned the
nearing until Monday morning, July 2, at 10
o'clock