The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-01
THE TRANSPORT MANUANsE
Was S~eaworthy, Well PrOvisfOned
and Had an Ample Crew.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 3O.-The quarter
master general has received a detailed re-
port by telegram from Lieutenant Colonel
o. +. Long, in charge Of the transport SER
vice at San Francisco, on the transport
Manuanse, which recently arrived at Ma
nsla, after undergoing many frightful hard
ships in a Pacific typhoon. The report,
which was requested because of the state
ments of the unfitness of the vessel for
transport service, follows:
I'm reference TO your telegram to-day, the
transport Manuanse sailed Oct. % for Ma
Mia via Honolulu. Her capacity was
twenty-eight officers and $50 enlisted men.
She carried seventeen officers and $50 en-
listed men. She was inspected by Captain
Metcalf, surveyor OF Lloyd's register, who
officially reported the vessel in good order
and condition when she left this port, both
In hull and machinery. She Is classed as
No. 1. =, Lloyd's. Also was thoroughly in
spected here by the inspector of hulls and
boilers. who reported her in excellent con-
ditiop- Official reports of these officers are
on file and record.
Treasury officials would not allow an
unseaworthy ship, whether government or
otherwise, to leave port. / would not grant
clearance. consequently expert opinion pro-
She was provided with all life-saving APP
paratus, even more than Treasury Depart
ment regulations required. Her crew. I'M
der ordinary circumstances, numbers
= ohC ttbAi W
San Francisco a crew of forty-nine men,
which fully met the requirements of the
treasury officials. She carried fifty-hve
days provisions for 400 enlisted men and
was provisioned for crew and army officers
by agents of the vessel for 10 days. Be-
sides. she had in her hold 800 tons measure
meat OF bacon, -four, canned goods and
other commissary supplies.
The ManuanSe was also thoroughly In
spected by Colonies Darlington and Maus.
Inspector generals. and by Captain Barne-
son. marine superintendent, and by other
transport officials. Lieutenant Colonel
Hayes also frequently Inspected the trans
port previous to her departure. All ex-
with every arrangement and provision
made here. The ship met Lloyd's require
ments. which are the highest known among
shipping people. This, In itself, should be
a sufficient guarantee of seaworthiness
The vessel made an average speed of ten
knots from Honolulu to Manila Had her
machinery been seriously impaired. she
certainly could not have made the distance
covered in the time she did. / be-
1ieve. and all our officials connected with
when the Manuanse left here she was per-
fectly seaworthy, fully manned and pro-
vfsioned."
Commenting on the above report. Colonel
B~allinger. In charge OF the transport SER
vice here, said IL seemed clear that the ut
most vigilance had been used by every
one connected with the inspection of trans
ports at San Francisco, and as the COM
missary branch had also shown the care
used by them, such hardshipS as had oc-
CURED must be attributable to the ele-
ments. against which no amount OF care
could prevail with absolute assurance. Of
hcers here had received Honolulu news
papers showing that the Manuanse was all
trouble must have occurred between Homo
lulu and Manila.