Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-01
A COURT-M MARTIAL.
Captain Sumner, Of The Cruiser Colum'
bia, 10 Be Tried.
INrrFICtENcy AND NE'h"'i'
These the Charges Made Asa"s'
the Officer ia the Matter OF the
Damage Done His snip nj so"tn-
amptOn.
anspton.

WASHINGTON. II. c.. August 81
1t was learned to-day from a semi-o!'i-
c,al source that the court OF inquiry into
the case OF the cruiser Columbia. dam
aged By being improperly docked at
Southampton, hold Captain Sumner re-
sponsible for the damage. 1t Is said that
a court-mar,ial Will follow. and that Cap
tain Sumner will probably lose command
OF the fast cruiser.
This afternoon the Secretary OF the
Navy issued an order directing n court
martial to convene Mt the Brooklyn yard
on Wednesday. September 4,h, for the
trial of Captain George W. Sumner. the
Columbla's commander.
Two commodores and nine captains VIII
compose the court. They are: Ccmmo-
dore Montgomery Slcard. 'on-
modore Rush r. Wallauce. Captain
i. n. Breed. Captain Alfred T. Maham'
Captain Norman IL. Farquahar' captain
James OKane. Captain Henry Is fope-
son. Captain Winfield $ Schley. captain
John W. Phillips. Captain Silas casey
and Captain Louis Kempn
The iudge-ndvOcate Of the court VIII
be frst-Eieutenant Herbert L. Draper
United States Marine corps.
Ii did not take Secretary Hefbert ioiiS
TO make up his mind rs TO what course 70
purs,,e I'm regard 10 the findings OF tne
court OF inquiry The report or inns
cour, was received At the Navy Depart
,,.n, THURSDAY, but II was decided nS
Acting Secretary McAdO0 10 await lhe re-
turn OF the Secretary before taxing "c-
lion. Mr.. Herbert returned 10 Washins-
ton last night. and soon AFTER ieac''i"s
The Navy Department this morning fedu
the record of the court or ihquty. ~
conference was held between thc str
tary. notwithstanding McAu"o' on.
Judge Advocate Lemiy. win tle ,e, III
mai the court-martial was ordered 'his
afternoon. At, A,,.o
. a,ff.rent decision could hardly nave
,ee, nossible. inasmuch as the verdict or
tho court Of inquiry fixed the Iespons'-
,u,,v for the injuries 10 The Coiuihpla
upon Captain Sumner.
CHARGES.
The charges are: A.. ,u.or.
"Culpahle ineucitney J." '"N
nance If duty. -
"Surrer,ng n vessel Of the navy 70 be
bazorded in violation of the eleventh
clause Of the eighth article OF the aIt-
cles for the government Of the navy
Neglect OF duty. c,,
Tho specifications ore that captain
Sumner. having arranged win rep' v,' -,
,a,,ve ~ the London and SouthW s'fin
uarwev company for the docking oi
tho columbia ut Southampton, Ems ana
having delivered 10 the representative OF
,he oor,,any the docking plan OF the
,aseeI neglected and failed TO see that
tho necessary preparations for such dock
IN were made by the company. ana that
a.. eupporting blocks We're put IN proper
condition for receiving ana sus'dihns
her weight; I'm consequence OF Whlch
NEGLECT and failure on the part or lhe
c,ptain the vosse, was. when placed IN
10Y subjected 10 severe strains Whlch
resulted IN damage 20 her hun. ana heceS-
STATED repairs. costing in the atsresa'e
ohout 81. co; also that. well-knowing that
Tho supporting blocks In the dock ma not
Ie.n placed IN the proper condition 10
receive and sustain the weight or the YES
sci whereby she was being strained,
h. failed to cat So the dock To be iioodel
In order TO relieve the vessel OF such
damage rom the damaging strain; ana
ais, that knowing that by reason ~ the
smpropcr docking Of the vessel she had
been strained and damaged, ana II belhS
therefore his duty 10 susI end payment
for such dOcking he did. nevertheless.
order payment to the Southwestern Rail
road Company Of $7S339 for the docking
of said vessel. which sum was accordingly
paid. and Captain Sumner was therein
and thereby negligent In the performance
OF his duty