The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-15

matter, except that 1 call upon Mr.. Nc
Allister, as he is present here, to say if
there is any understanding here between
him and me in this investigation or
whether we are in cahoots together"
why, certainly not, Captain Phillips"
said Mr.. McAllister. 81 propose to ask
every question that I can think of to
bring out the truth of this matter, and
don't care whom it injures.''
After the ripple of excitement caused by
MIR. Phillips statement had subsidized the
first witness was asked to tell what he
knew about the case. He was George D.
Ross, a United States sailor and a passen-
ger on the Colima from San Francisco to
New York. His testimony was as follows
We left Manzanillo on Sunday, May 26, at 6
O'Clock. The breeze began to freshen up and
continued until OF 2:30 in the morning.
From that time until A. NJ. it blew steady
breeze that is what could call a topgaIlant
yard breeze. Then it moderated slightly till 8
A. NJ, when it suddenly began to freshen and
increased in violence until about 1880 A. NJ.
Al that time was standing on the spar deck
when Mr.. Griffith, the first mate. came along
and asked how the glass was. He told me it
was 1857. asked him if it was steady at that.
His answer was ayes" The ship at this time
was rolling pretty heavily and noticed in her
rolling to starboard and her roll back to port
she did not come as high as she ought to have
come. I made the remark TO man who was
standing alongside of me that there was some
thing wrong in the rolling of the ship. He
said to me, what do you suppose it is?" l said
to him in reply, "The trouble is simply this
The cargo in the ship has shifted and if proper
precaution is not taken this ship is doomed"
Was she lying in the trough of the sea at this
time?
No, sir.
She ontinued to roll heavily and then
some time later she went off in the trough of
the sea- She gave three or four heavy rolls
and finally gave the tremendous roll which
threw her on her beam ends. few minutes
after she went down.
Was the ship lying heao 10 sea when she
commenced rolling?
Yes, sir.
Had she been head to sea from time she be-
gan rolling?
Yes; from the time got up in the morning
Did you see any sail put on the ship?
No, sir.
Was any drag usedf
When she was put down was there three
regular seas?
Yes, sir there were regular rolling seas
but don't say there were three in succession
Have you ever been in such heavy sea be-
fore?
Yes, sir, off Cape Horn, and have been in
heavier seas off Hatteras in the United States
steamer Curlew at the beginning OF the war.
also served in merchant vessel Tor year as
a seaman.
Are you positive about the shifting of the
cargo?
Yes sir Before we got to Mazatlan we had
to get out feed for the cattle, and | noticed
then that the cargo was not properly slowed
for heavy weather.
AS a seafaring man, if the hold of vessel is
full and properly slowed would it shiftY
No, sir.
If st was slowed slack would it list?
Yes, sir. 1t would give her q heavy list.
About what time did you think there was
danger?
About ten or fifteen minutes to L.
How about the conduct of the officersf
They were all at their posts; the mate and
the captain were on the bridge.
Inspector Talbot-Read his testimony to
him.
''Wait minute" said Ross, "I'm not
through yet, sir. / wish to state that when
/ first went on board the Colima went on
the deck to have a look at the condition
of her boats. The ship carried eight boats.
The two after ones were rugged out, but
her six forward boats were swung in and
iu their chocks aud dashed down for full