Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-28

Assistant Engineers the Buffalo
Were Negligent.

The Navy Department today made public
The report Of the court Of inquiry of which
Commander John MCGOWAN was president,
appointed to Investigate and determine the
responsibility for the breakdown of the ma
chinrry of the cruiser Buffalo when only i
lrw days out from New York on her way
- join Admiral Dewey's feet in the Philip
pines.
The findings Of the court were as follows:
l. The machinery of the buffalo was iii
proper condition for extended service at
-rd when that vessel left the navy yard.
New York. The dock trials not having been
~ full speed. full test of the engines and
machinery. before leaving the navy yard,
Nv York. was not. however, made.
= he evidence shows that the accidents
which happened TO OF the defects which
Xere discovered in the machinery of the
Buffalo between her departure from the
navy yard. New York, and her arrival Al
Newport. We're not due to defective work
at said navy yard, although we find snat
the joint report and examinations required
by paragre phs 3 ! and > Of article 1JT5,
United States Navy Regulations. were not
made at the navy yard, New York, by the
senior engineer OF the yard and tn" senior
sDgiurer Of the Buffalo.
; In view Of the condition of the ma
hinery and its adjunCts as known at the
inc. the state of the weather and the ma
ure Of the service on which the Buffalo was
Tticer Of the Buffalo was justified in pro-
r-3iug with that vessel TO the United
states and to Newport, p. l.
4. That rom the evidence adduced We
.ons!der jhat Chief Engineer Frederick c.
s.icE. m u states navy, having been al
-archei to the /. : : Buffalo from SeptC m
ner -. 1>.r>. To November /. 1888, the date
# ieJyir-; The navy yard, New York. failed
20 m Ike himself sufficiently and properly
rcquairtsI with the machinery of that ship
=. That tn. evidence shows that the relief
valve of the sir pump was at times shovel
tcwn 10 clio 80 il. while at sea. and the cn-
sIres working. with the knowledge aud by
Erection IF Chief Engineer Frederick c.
Bieg. United States navy. thus rendering
liable the accidents which occurred to the
machinery of the Buffalo.
u. That there is evidence of neglect upon
he part of ar assistant engineer or en-
Eneers Of the ship, as shown in the heating
" the condenser of the Buffalo on the l2.h
Instant
General lack of efficiency and competency
N the part OF the assistant engineers OF
he ship. r 1dsring them, in the opinion of
he court. improper persons to DE placed in
barge Of the machinery Of vessels of tn.
nited States ravy.
: That from the evidence the court be
ewes the accidents to the machinery anI
sGtuncts Of the Buffalo were due to ne glec,
md incompetency on the part of the Ell.
;jneers of the ship
The court expressed it's opinion as follows
L In view Of the fact that the most Sc
~'ous and discriminating evidence concern
.ng Chi Engineer Frederick c. Bieg
'nited states navy. Is a matter OF nis own
ttsttmOny which would not be available be
ore general Court-martial. and ii l.
therefore, doubtful whether positive results
Guild he obtained. we recommend that NJ
.urther legal proceedings be taken against
,'hlef Engineer Frederick c. Bieg United
states navy. beyond those in the nature OF
4 reprimAad ard the furnishing him with a
copy OF the opinion OF the court upon the
matter.
In view OF the fact that Assistant En-.
slneers Frederick j. Simmons William H
Macksy and Thomas Rodger, United States
navy. have only temporary appointments
We recommend that they be detached fror
he ship and discharged from the United
States naval service"
Acting Secretary Allen has approved tbs
findings and opinion of the court. except ir
80 far as it involves the discharge of AS
sistant Engineers Simmons Mackay apr
todger. These officers were. instead, trans
erred from the Buffalo to other duty.