The times., 1897-09-29
CAUSE OF THE COLLISION
Steamboat Inspectors Are Taking
Testimony at Georgetown.
STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES
Evidence Very Conflicting ana hut
Little Light Obtained Concerning
the Smashup in the Fog of the
Fcrryhoat Columbia and the
Steamer Newport News.

An inquiry into the recent collision be-
tween the Alexandria ferry steamer Column
bia and the Norfolk and washington
steamer Newport News was begun at the
Georgetown custom house yesterday morn
ing by United States Steamboat Inspectors
John Cooper and Edward T. White, COM
prising the local board having Jurisdiction
in this district.
The Newport News was commanded by
Capt. 5. a. Geoghegan and the Columb mbia
by Capt. r. T. Fowkes when the collision
occurred off Shepherds wharf at Gal
O'Clock on the morning of September 9th
last. Previous to the hearing of testimony
statements of the collision in writing
were read by the two captains. Capt.
Fcwkes read his statement, a follows:
We left Washington at clio a. m. today;
weather clear and bright, but became
thick and foggy about five minutes after
leaving dock. Slowed down and stopped
until the steamer Belle Haven passed us
at the forks of the channel abreast OF
Geisboro Point. l then took my departure
from the channel buoy, wing ii about
fifty feet to the starb0ard, and held my
course south by west and made the black
buoy below Geisboro' Point. about 90 feet
TO starboard. The mate, MF. Punch, was
in the pilothoUse, on lookout, and Jesse
Newman, deck hand, and James Scott, d
river pilot, were on main deck, forward,
also on lookout. Heard whistle of ap-
preaching steamer, which l answered.
They Were fog signals. l slowed my
engines, and continued blowing fog sig
mails. Heard whistles to starboard and
approaching. / then blew three whistles
and stopped my engines, and at same time
hauled from south by west TO south 10
hold my course close TO the east bank Of
the channel. After drifting about three
or four lengths,I saw the steamer Newport
News, about three and -half points to
starboard, coming rapidly, and struck US
head on, about three feet forward Of
wheel, going through guards, main beams,
guard beams and wheel, mashing it and
bending shaft, breaking the spring journal,
main pedestal castings, and gallows frame.
Her stem stopped at our hull. She then
backed clear. We were picked up by
the steamer Belle Haven and towed tc
Alexandra. No passengers We're injured.
Damage, about $4,000.
CaLU. Geoghegans statement was very
brief, sir ply Announcing the fact that
the collision had occurred.
rho following witnesses Of the accident
were heard. James ]. Punch, james r.
Webster, mate and engineer Of the Co
ICmbia; John Keams, Joseph Massey and
Manager Walter Burton, of the National
Hotel. There We're different beliefs on
the part OF the witnesses as to which
beat really ran into the other, a. tie
weather was very foggy on the morning
that the collision occurred. Capt Geoghe-
| gan said that his steamer left Alexandria
at $50 O'Clock aud ran into fog bank
near Shepherds. He slowed down and
J blew fog whistles.
He heard a whistle be could not locate
and stopped his engines. He heard the
whistle a second time. It was off his
port bow, and he at once reversed his
engines and blew three whistles, getting
a reply of three. The Columbia was soon
seen crossing his bow, going toward the
| Maryland shore, and the crash occurred.
Witness stated that five minutes elapsed
from the time be stopped his boat unit
/ the collision occurred. The captain saiC
! the ferry boat people claim they have
to keep on the east side in order to
! enter their slip in Alexandria. The rules
require all boats to keep TO the right.
The hearing will be continued today.-