The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-13

did you see the Inspectors of Hulls and
Boilers on the Colima the day she sailed?'
81 don't know. They might have been
of the ship"
'Why was the lumber loaded on deck"
81 don't know. l get the order from the
mate where to put the cargo and I put it
there"
do you know who is liable for bad
stowage?''
Captain Bingham has to pay for all bad
stowage and broken cargo"
Harry w. Boyd passenger from San
Francisco for New York, testified as fol-
lows:
While in port at Mazatlan had a look at the
condition of the cargo in the forward hold. /
also had look while in port at San Bias and
again at Manzanillo, and on all three occasions
was struck with the loose manner in which
the cargo was stored, many of the packages
being cornerways up. At Mazatlan quantity
packed on the hurricane deck on top OF the
lumber. There was about three tons OF it. At
one OF the ports we took on wagon. This was
also put on top of the lumber.
The lumber packed on the hurricane deck
reached a height of 4 feet 6 inches and was
from six feet forward OF the pilot house to the
the ship quantity of oil was stored. The ship
also carried several head of cattle and horses,
also few birds, peacocks, ducks, etc.
At ManZanillO q quantity OF cargo was taken
in and stored loosely on the steerage deck. No
lashings were used in the cases refer to. They
were stored on the port side, close to the side
OF the ship.
Leaving Manzanillo at about P. NJ. Sunday,
May &c, the weather was good. Two hours
after fresh breeze sprang up, and at sunset
all awnings were taken in. The wind strength
ened all the evening and the ship rolled heav-
lily all night. l went to sleep in a hammock at
o'clock. The heat awoke me two hours after,
and / went on deck. The strong wind and
rolling of the vessel caused me to change my
quarters seven times while on deck, and fin
ally gave up trying to sleep at A. NJ. About
8 O'clock 1 went on deck, and to avoid the W ct
there for about two hours, and finally got wet
through by wave which came through the
square portfolio on the starboard side. went
below and changed all my clothes. The heat
was sitting, and the boatswain with some men
were endeavoring to put some oil on the water
Very little of the Oil touched the sea, as it was
blown back on deck.
At this time nearly all the Storage passengers
were below, and were joined by the bakers,
cooks and Others of the crew. The loose cargo
taken on board at Manzanillo shifted to
starboard. Several sacks of salt piled in the
steerage also fell to starboard. AT this time
Q, tremendous noise proclaimed the shifting of
the entire cargo. This was about a quarter
past 10. With every lurch of the ship heard
the rumbling in the hold. She never assumed
an upright position after that Some one on
the main deck called, Cali hands on deck"
and hurried up the crowded companion
way. While there the ship took water over
the stat board rail with each roll. By the aid
hauled myself to wlndward. At this time the
quartermaster came from the after part of the
ship with an ak. He went up the steps to the
hurricane deck. The cases of oil stored on the
port side broke loose and fell over to starboard.
All the square ports on the main deck were open
and one particularly noticed could not have
been shut on account of the cattle-pens being
in the way. These portfolios were about four
feet and two feet six inches and took large
body of water with each roll. While on deck
pulled up a sailor who had life-preserver on.
had an idea that he had orders to do some
thing forward, but was surprised to see him
climb the rail and jump overheard: helped
three others to windward, but could not help
any more as big rush of water from the fore
castle washed those near me onto the wreck.
The cries of these men warned me of my dan
ger.
Talbot-Was that the first time you had
any idea of danger?
eyes, sir. Up to that time l was conf
dent the ship would float"
The witness continued:
By the aid of the fallen cargo elambered
over the rail and stood on the side. At this
time the whistle blew and looking around
saw the captains hand on the whistle cord.
Two men attempted to cut loose the boat on
the port side. A tremendous crunching noise
drew my attention aft and looking that way
saw the hurricane deck and the cabins com
mence to break up into small pieces. This
breakage commenced astern and continued to
amidShipS, when tooK off my coat and shoes
and ran toward the ships keel and jumped
again the ship was gone. When came up
got hold OF a bundle OF shingles
"How hard was it blowing?'
81 was in a blow which I considered as
hard around the Cape of Good Hope"
Are you seafaring man? Z"
"No, sir"
"Any cowardice or insubordination 2"
mo, sir, except in the one instance
spoke Of"
"Was everything possible done TO save
life and property?"
"The lumber might have been cut away,
and no intimation of danger was sent be-
low and no life-preservers were given out. !"
ssWas the lumber higher than the deck
rail?"
Eyes. About foot"
"Why did not the ship recover when the
wind struck her and caused her to ca
reen?"
"She shifted cargo, and lumber on the
hurricane deck held her down.
"If the ship had been on an even keel
could anybody reach the life-preservers ?"
NO, sir. Only very tall man could
reach them"
Ibid you hear anybody sworn at for
helping themselves to life-preservers?"
'The steward objected to the life pre-
servers being taken down because he would
have the bother of putting them back
again"
How were you treated on the San
Juan2"
''When I was picked up at o'clock on
the morning of the 2Sth I was taken to the
freight clerks room and offered any
stimulant 1 wanted. / put on a pair of
trousers and shirt and went around to
the messroom and had a hearty meal.
From that to the time we reached San
Francisco / took my meals in the mess
room. On the Wednesday evening fol-
lowing was examined by the doctor and
received all the attention he considered
necessary at the time"
Gustave Rowan, passenger from San
Francisco for New York, was called, but as
he could speak very little English the
hearing went over to this afternoon in
order that an interpreter might be secured.
SUIT FOR DAMAGES.
l.. Il. Rre1xer Will EudeaYor tn Make