The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-17
DOES NOT KNOW
MAGNETIC COURSES
so TESTIFIED PILOT MCNEIL OF
THE PETERS.
Official Investigation Into the Recent
Bay Collision Will Be Con-
cluded To-Day.

The main incident of the investigation
into the Peters Czarina bay disaster yes
terday morning was the startling aadmis-
sion by Pilot Mcneil of the Peters, that
he was ignorant of the magnetic courses
as laid down by the chart, and would
have to refresh his memory In that re-,
gard by reference thereto In reply to a
question by Inspector Bolles as to what
course he was steering from his wharf to
Angel Island on the night of the disas-
ter he answered northwest one-Quarter
north.
WAS that the correct magnetic
course?" asked Captain Bolles.
cit was the proper course on the Pet
ers,'' replied Mcneil.
On Captain Bolles demanding a direct
reply to his question, Mcneil would not
admit that it was correct and reluctantly
confessed that he did not know the
courses by heart. and that he steered by
time and according to variations.
When asked what he did in case of fogs
he said that if he made mistake he
would back and try 1t over again.
A suppressed litter went around the
room when Mcneil spoke of ships quar-
ter being on her bow, and Bolles said,
thought it was on the stern
When Bulger asked if Mcneil had blown
one whistle when he first saw the lights
of the approaching vessel and then port
ed his helm would he not have had the
waters between Angel Island and the
Berkeley shore to navigate his steamer,
he answered yes, but would have crossed
the Czarina's bow by so doing.
A little tilt occurred between Inspector
Bulger and Superintendent Corcoran
when Corcoran charged Bulger. with. ask
ing questions which he had read in the
newspapers as coming from Re Coroners
inquest. This Bulger strenuously Denied.
and on reading the record 1t was found
that Bulger was in the right and Cor
coran apologfzed.
The first witness called was Joseph
York lamptrimmer on the Czarina, who
testified he had lighted the side and mast
head lights and placed them in position at
shutdown. Corcoran tried to snow that the
headlight was run up unlighted, 1t. being
intended to lower and light 1t atsundoWn.
This the witness emphaucally denied:
Corcoran said number OF witnesses had
burning until the vessels came together.
Inspector Bodies said such was i. not the
case. Captain HoidsWor ea M nag s d5afst
that he simply did not see the sne&toQisIteA
An arg1Iment between Corcoran and ATT
torney Frank as TO ,whether the rfst OH OH
cut short by Inspector Bodies, VINO stared
that Captain Seaman, licensed man, was
in charge of the Czarlna on the eFeiine
u Io oi,n With, quartermaster of the Gar
ina said that he was at the wheel Wnen
after his vessel had blown one whistle,
Captain Seaman had ordered him TO port
his helm, which he did and Kept 1t there
until after the collision.
WaIdemar Marian, lookout on the Gar
ina. reported a red and green light on the
port bow. The Czarina blew one whistle
ana the Peters answered with one. Then
the Czarina again blew one and the
Peters two, and then she steered straight
for the Czarina. His evidence went TO
show that the Peters started to go to
starboard by porting her helm and then
her course almost slmulta-
neously. 49,
gineer of the CZarina, was standing at his
throttle when the bells were rung for full
speed astern. He said the engine made
revolutions before the col
iision.
Superintendent Corcoran wished to put
Captain Seaman of the Czartna on the
stand Immediately to question him about
The courses, 80 that no opportunity would
be given him to refresh his memory by
consulting the chart. Captain Seaman
was perfectly willing to testify then and
there but after some discussion the in
vestigation went over until this morning.