The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-09-07

given by officers Of tie two vessels, and
it is probable that the steamboat inspectors
will have some trouble in locating the
blame.
The facts, AS far as they are conceded 10y
both parties, are that there was heavy fog
over the center OF the river early yester-
day morning at about $50 O'Clock, and
that the Norfolk and Washington steamer
Newport News and Washington and Alex
andra ferry boat Columbia crashed to-
gethcr, ~ the great damage OF the Colum-
bia, the bow OF the Newport News entering
the side OF the Columbia.
The Newport News was entirely unin-
jurcd, as were all her crew and passen-
gers The Columbia's left wheel was en-
tirely demolished, and SOM or the frame
work on that side was crushed. The ma
ch.ney is also somewhat damaged but the
huh OF the vessel Is injured very little.
The amount of the damage viii, it is
stated be within $4,000. Capt Fowkes.
OF the Columbia, sustained some what pain
full, though not necessarily serious, inju-
-ies to his legs and back. Mr.. James Scott,
the watchman at the Washington wharf OF
the ferry company, was also hurt.
The Norfolk and Washington people are
somewhat averse to making any state
ment as to the affair. Mr.. John Callahan,
the manager of the company, was seen at
his office at the wharf by reporter of
The Times this morning:
I'VE VIII make oar statement 10 the
stcamb0at inspectors when they hold
3heir meeting" he said, land the blame
viii then be put In the right place, un-
toudeday Our vessel is fully insured
against all kinds of accidents and dam
age sits by the underwriters associa- e
ton, and IN protection of their interests,
believe that they should also have our
story before anyone else.
~ viii saw this much, however, with re-
gard to the accident: l believe our Of
ficers were bfameless Our boat had left
Alexandra on It's up trip yesterday morn
ing, aud was stesiHing slowly across and
up the river In a diagonal direction. We
sounded our whistle when we entered the
dense fog. We were a liCtle beyond Shep-
herds Landing, when we heard the Co
lunrbia's whistle. We could not locate the
sound in the fog however. but Immediately
reversed our engines and commenced 10
back water.
After this order had been given, the
Columbia doomed up close in front OF
us, heo ded toward the Maryland shore also.
but going down the river instead of up.
1t Is my opinion, from this, that the
Columbia ran Tito Us.
Capt. s, j. GeegiIegan and First or
ficer q. J. Posey, our Officers, are both
experienced men of long years steanl-
hoat service, who have been with US six
years Capt. Geoshegan's statement EN-.
traces these facts.
Our people, by the way, say that there
Is a mistake In the statement that Capt
Fowkes of the Columbia, was thrown
through the window of his pilot honse.
He war seen by them to walk out of tile
pilo; house door. they say"
Capt. Fowkes' statement OF the affair
is enrIrely different. He was seen by n
Times reporter yesterday. and stated that
lpe sounded his whistle from the time the
toat Ieft Washington.
When off Shepherds Landing he heard q
signal fron the Newport News to stop. He
gave the tell, which brought his vessel to a
full stop.
After having run his boat as near the
Mar ylsnd shore as possible without beach
ing the steamer, hardly had his vessel
stopped when ne was Mortified at seeing the
Newport News but leo feet. off, plowing
toward him, apparently under full head or
steam.
He supposed that the Norfolk steamer
was standing still, and WAS surprised and
mortified when he saw her almost upon
them. Having stopped his engine, he ran ON
deck and checked team OF horses just as
they were about TO go overheard.
II had gone off my course" said the
captain, ITO avoid collision while the
Newport News took a northeasterly in
stead of Ioi tberly course after leaving
her dook a. Alexandria
The steamboat inspectors hold secret
sessions, and it cannot he learned how
soon their Investigation and report Will be
made.
Superintendent Ridley states that he will
have another boat To replace the Columbia
by nexC Friday. The Columbia will imine-
diately be taken to Baltimore for repairs
Supt Ridley, of the Potomac Steamboat
Company, returned to Alexandria early
THIS nicrr ming, and. with a gang of men,
has heen buNly engaged gettin e the
Columbia ia towing condition. The splini-
cred woodwork Of the vessel is being re
novel and tile bent and twisted iron grid
ers and shafts are being put In as good
shape IS possible The tug Mary arrived Ia
Alexandria from Baltimore at an early
hoar t..is morning, and this afternoon viii
leave for Baltimore with the Columbia in
tow. tits expected that the Columbia will
reach Baltimore about noon tomorrow.
The steamer will be in charge Of Capt.
Fowkes, who was at the wheel when the
Newport News plowed into his boat, with
Pilot Harry Crawford. and Engineers Web
ster aud Germond. Capt. Fowkes though
badly in iured abUut the back and legs, per-
sistsir staying with his steamer. He stated
today that he had nothing to say in regard
10 the accident further than what has ap-
pcaredin The Times. He has made an Off
1ialreportt 10 Supt. Ridley on these lines. and
feels confident that he viii be exoneratetl
from all blame.
The O1tunif,ia on her arrival a. baltimore.
win he placed in the hands of John Cahiil.
who, after removing her machinery Will
turn the vessel over 10 Woodan & Co., who
will repair the Damage TO the woodwork
It IL thought that it VIII require atout six
10 eight wee;ss't'nie to place the Columbia
in seryiee again. The steamer Arrow
smith will take the place of the disabled
s,eanlsr ON the ferry line between Alex
andris and Washington.
Capt. James Scott, the watchmaa of the
ferry conpsny's property in Washington,
is at his isume. No. 431 South Fairfax
street, Aiexa1tiria. H is suffering greatly
from shc shock he rec lived by being thrown
to tiss deck of the Columbia, when the