The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-05
INVEsTIGATfON TO BE HELD.
United States Inspectors VIII Inquire
Into TIE Causes of the Disaster.

United States Inspectors viii Inquire
Into TIE Causes of the Disaster.
There is little to be cleaned about town
in the way of news relative to the Colima
disaster, and the full story of this wreck
will not be known before the arrival of the
San Juan, dde at this port on Thursday
night. The uptown offices of the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company are daily visited
by many anxious people in quest of the
latest news from the scene of the accident,
but the officials have nothing to impart.
eve can hope for nothing definite"
said Agent Avery, until the San Juan
gets in. AT that time we shall have the
full details, and [ am sure that some of the
rumors that have been flying around will
he set at rest.
at will then be shown conclusively that
the steamer was not overloaded, that she
was manned by an able and efficient crew,
and that everything that human foresight
could do was done to insure the lives and
safety of our passengers"
A good many persons well versed in sea
matters, however, take different view of
the situation, as will be seen by perusal
of interviews which have appeared from
day to day since the Colima went down in
the trough of the sea. These people assert
that the vessel was top-heavy, that the
cargo was not properly slowed, that she was
manned by an inferior crew-principally
Cinnamon. In short, that the disaster was
primarily, if not entirely, due to circum-
stances over which the Pacific Mail people
are bound by law to exercise the fullest
control.
Around the Custom-heuse and in the
Appraisers building, in common with
other public institutions of the City, the
affair is receiving a full share of discus
sion, and here, as well as everywhere else
about town, much speculation is rife.
Nearly every one blames the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, but still there are a
few of the conservative class who will not
express an opinion but say instead: "Let
US wait and hear what the survivors have
to say"
Among the latter are: Colonel T. II.
Craig of the Custom house; Enoch S. Tai
bot, United States Inspector of Hulls W.
A. Phillips, Inspector of Boilers, and S. ].
Ruddell, Deputy Surveyor of the Port
On several occasions the fact that no ex-
animation into the tragedy would be held
has been deplored. This is not so. In
SpCStOlS 1diOOG ollO hilllpS are duAlCuSlY
awaiting the arrival of the San Juan, and
directly she reaches the dock they will be
on hand to subpoena all survivors who ar
rive on her. Third Mate Hansen, as the
only surviving licensed officer, will have
to make full and detailed report of the
tragedy. Then as soon as possible there
after full and searching inquiry will be
held before Supervising Inspector of Steam
Vessels John Birmingham, Inspector of
Hulls Talbot and Inspector of Boilers
Phillips. Witnesses from the Mail dock
and from among the stevedores who loaded
the ship will be called, and if it is possible
the blame will be fixed on the proper par
ties.
In talking about the matter yesterday
Captain Talbot said: 'Nearly everything
that has come over the wire so far has been
conjecture. Some blame the captain and
the majority say it was due to the poor
slowing of the cargo. l have formed no
opinion and will not until get Mate Han
sens official report and have heard all the
testimony we can possibly get on the case.
It is an awful tragedy we will have to in
yestigate, and our deliberations will be
slow and sure. One thing am certain of,
the Colima's hull and boilers were in per-
feet repair when she sailed on that disas-
trous trip"
The fact that rigid investigation is to
be held will be glad news for the public.
Those who had relatives on the Inflated
steamer will await the verdict anxiously.
None, however, will await the decision
with more fear and trembling than the di-
rectors of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany. If the inspectors find the steamer was
lost owing to bad stowage of the cargo then
suits for damages aggregating millions of
dollars will be begun against the corpora
ton. Again, if it is shown that the CAP
tain was to blame the Mail Company will
be liable. Nothing but verdict setting
forth that the loss of the Colima was due to
an "act of God" can save the corporation.
The manner of slowing freight will be
particularly investigated. Whether it was
usual to put the cargo for the first port of
entry on top irrespective of whether it was