Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-07
SUMNER CoURr-MARTIAL.
Constructor Bovles Testiiies for De-
fencr-Sfnfemcnf frnn AccmAeh.


fence-StnfemcDt from Accused.
NEW YORK, September G.-The court
martial Of Captain George W. Sumner.
Of the United states cruiser Columbia, for
alleged neglect Of duty and incompetence
in dry-dockIng the cruiser at Southamp-
ton. England. was resumed at the Brook
lyu uavy-yard at 10 O'Clock this morning.
Captain Sumner entered the room some
time before the hour for the opening Of
the days proceedings.
The prosecution finished its testimony
yesterday. and the defence was opened
by Captain Sumner, who testified in his
own behalf His testimony added nothing
10 the evidence which has already been
placed on record
Commander Marye, who de-
tends Captain Sumner continued the de-
fence this morning By calling Naval-COn-
structor Charles r. Bowles, Of the navy
yard. 90 the stand.
Constructor B0Wlcs testified that he had
dry-docked the Columbia after her return
from southampton. and had examined the
injuries she had received.
Were those injuries serious?' asked
Advocate Draper
"The injuries were not serious" replied
Constructor Bowles. 1.-THE injuries were
local I'm nature and not structural ] no
uced on examination that the edges OF
the keel-plates were slightly dentcd. and
that the riyets at some points were loos-
onel. thus opening sorae Of the seams.
The stanchions in the fre-roOm were
slightly bent"
Lieutenant Marx then asked: 'Jn your
opinion. was the Columbia properly pro-
yided with stanchons?'
sND " admitted l'1ustructor HOWleG.
did the docking plans shown the mas
ter OF the Southampton dock indicate
where the keel-blocks and other supports
should be placCd%'
1T was practically impossible to decide
whore % place the supports from the
plans" replied Engineer Bowles.
OSs-EXAMINATION
The witness was then cross-oxamined
by the prosecution.
"What n your judgment was the cause
of the injuries 20 the Columbia
"The injuries were caused by unskilful
docking"
Had you been IN charge Of the dry
dock at Southampton on this OCCASION
Queried Advocate Draper. would you con-
slider yourself responsible for the injuries
received by tho unsklful dry-docking"
Il should consider myself Responsible
said Engineer BOwles
4 question WIS then put by the court
as 20 whether the injuries 20 tho Column
bia would have been SO great II Captain
Sumner had AZ once flooded the dry-dock
ON discovering that she WIS not resting
properly
Engineer Bowles replied that HIS ex-
perlcuce led him 20 believe that such
course would not have prevented further
injury
Lieutenant Marx then read a statement
prepared by Captain Sumner. captain
Sumner said IN substance that h. adj
mittcd Llat be was partially responsible
for the frst charge against hin-cnipable
incficlency I'm the performance Of his
duty lie wished 10 state in his own de-
fence. however. that when he docked the
Columbia az southampton he was acting
unlcr explicit and urgent orders from
Washington. The government were Ia
mil'ar with the dock which they directed
him ~ use. There was no law, he said
specifying what a captains duty was
under the circumstances. and his duty
was, therefore. a matter Of judgment.
ERROR or JUDGMENT.
He therefore. pleaded that the damage
10 the Columbia was the result OF error
Of Judgment and did not reach the gravity
OF the charge.
As Co the second charge Of suflering
a vessel 10 be hazarled. I'm violation or
the naval rules Captain Sumner again
pleaded no. guilty. lie consulted his Off
GERS m the time. ne said and acted ac-
cording 90 their best Judgment. lie be
Uevei that subsequent facts proved that
the course pursued was the wisest one
under the circumstances.
The third charge was neglect Of duty.
The prosecution held that Captain sum
ner should not have paid the bill for dry
docking the Columbia at SOUTHAMPTON
without consulting the authorities AT
Washington
CAPTAIN Sumner said In defence that he
was under orders at the time 10 cross 'he
Atlantic at fun speed without delay. ana
he had not sufficient time TO communicate
with Headquarters He said that he paid
the bin before sailing because he consid-
cred that the proper course.
At the conclusion Of the reading OF TINS
statement court adjourned until 10 o'clock
Saturday morning.