The Republican journal., 1898-12-15
S;::a. s:;';!s
Hoods DiIIe act easily, promptly
iIoOA IiIo and effectively. 25c.



for the loss of the steamer Portland upon
Capt Blanchard, who is not here to de-
fend himself, has called forth many and
indignant protests. No one who knew
that he went to sea in the face of storm
in defiance of orders. He was master Of
his profession, and knew the value of
obedience. While the boat was tied up at
her pier the Boston agent was his supe-
Iior in command When the lines were
cast off Capt. Blanchard was in command,
and Capt Craig, formerly master of the
Portland. now retired, says OF him: "a
cooler man | never knew, and | doubt if
there was his superior as a pilot on any
boat that plies the coast of Maine. He
was honest, fearless and faithful l have
never seen a man who could handle a
boat better, either in calm or storm
Aside from the question of responsibil
ity for sending the steamer to sea there
are other matters of public concern which
call for investigation. For example, an
exchange says;
Much indignation has been aroused by
the discovery that many Of the life pre-
servers which have come ashore from the
steamer Portland are old and water soak
ed, especially those filled with grass.
Some OF these have been in such a condi-
ton as to give rise to the belief that they
would not have supported body for any
length Of time and that after having be
come wet through would have acted as a
dead weight. 1t is reported that some of
these weighed 36 pounds, enough TO have
drowned any man having one on.
Capt Craig, who is above quoted, was
asked by a representative of the Boston
Traveller his opinion of the life preseryers
the Portland was equipped with, and re-
piled ''As far as the ground cork life
preservers are concerned, | would Just as
soon take my chances with q bag of sand.
know the company has a great many of
the ground cork life preservers, and they
4 had lot Of them when ! was on the line.
TlN grass filled preservers ] do not know
much about" Upon another point Capt.
distinctly states that no boat shall sal
without its full complement of officers.
The mate, pilot and clerk were ashore
| that night and that means a shortage Of
| officers, if it comes to launching boats. "
In view of those and other facts the pro
posed Congressional investigation is most
proper-indeed, it is urgently called for,
i Our steamers are all under government
regulations and subject to inspection by
United States officials. If these reguIa-
/ lations are insufficient or the inspectors
inefficient, let the facts be brought to light.
4 This does not concern alone the company
! that owned the Portland, but the public
at least all those who travel on passenger
steamers. If the law as it now stands per
mts the equipment of steamer with life
preservers no better than bag Of sand i
cannot be amended too quickly. If, al
alleged, steamship companies are able t.
| secure the removal of honest inspector.
who seek to do their duty, that should re-
ceive attention. Provision should also bt
made for the registration of passengers in
the office Of the steamship company OF
shore, as we'll as on the vessel. 1t is gen
orally believed that the Portland had two
or three times as many passengers or
board when lost as has been reported
but the truth will never be known unless
the i'll fated steamers papers are recover
ed, which is highly improbable. By al
means then have an investigation, anc
let it be searching and thorough. Nothing
less will satisfy the public.