New-York tribune., 1899-07-13
THE FUTURE OF THE PARIS.
SHE MAY BE RECLAIMED BY THE coMPANY-DI

TERMINING A vESsE ELS COURSE.
Now that the American. Liner Paris has been
hoaied from the Manacles and there Is possibility
that she can be thoroughly repaired and made sea-
worthy again her probable future becomes mat
-sr o. interest. She had been abandoned 10 the
underwriters but under certain circumstances may
be reclaimed by the steamship company. Regard
,ns this James A Wright. second vice-president OF
the international Navigation Company. could give
no definite information yesterday.
If the cost OF getting her of the rocks. together
with that Of repairing her is greater than the value
OF the vessel she will be left with the underwriters
but II the total cost OF putting her in shape again
,s less than her value she will return 10 the com
pany." he said
IN connection with the disaster TO the Paris. mari
time authorities are taking renewed interest in
order issued long ago by the Atlantic Transport
Line 10 its captains the effect that the courses
10 be pursued shall be set by the Junior officer on
watch: that such courses shall be approved or al
tered BY the senior officer watch and finally by
the captain.
This Of course. leaves the responsibility OF the
course upon you Uhe captain)," says the order,
"and the object OF the change is TO prevent there
beng any hesitation in regard to the alteration OF
course which is observed 10 be wrong. Where the
course Is now by the Junior officer there can be
uo hesitation the part Of his seniors In pointing
cut or rectifying an error Where the course is set
ty the captain there may be hesitation in this rect
fation which may END in casualty"
Gustav Il. Schwab, OF the North German Lloyd
Steamship Company. is OF the opinion that the At
hntc Transport Lines order reverses the natural
order OF things and places the practical command
Of the ship In the hands OF the Junior officer. i
90 not believe" said Mr. Schwab. that there should
te division OF the authority which belongs 10 the
captain ! think ne should be solely responsible
On ships ne is so. and alone Axes the sailing
John Lee agent OF the White Star Line. says that
while the rules In force on the SHIPS or the
principal lines are the product OF the long
experience Of navigators, recent disasters nave
men command OF ships are not perfect" ne said
which is probably the case. The captains
and other officers transatlantic liners are over
worked They should have longer rest between
obliged 70 lose their sleep. and should have longer
time II which TO recuperate" Mr.. Lee said that II
had always seemed 10 him that the captain OF a
ship ought 10 take the observations and TX the
courses the other officers acting In an ADVISORY ca
1T Is possible" said Mr.. Lee. that when ship
ss commanded by such experienced navigator as
Captain Watkins. for instance. the other or1cers 8
get f. the habit OF trusting everything 10 him, ana
neglect thelr own duty keep informed OF the posi-
ton and course OF the vessel Then, again II the
junior officer fixed the courses. II he was an expert
enced man, the captain and senior oHicer might Pc
come careless and the new rule Woulo WORK oAuIS
3n that case" -,
OF, ,als OF other steamship lines say that on their
vessels the captain and chief officer held Jointly
responsible the navigation, and In case they os
the chief officer Is required
10 enter his objections in the log.
The officials OF the various steamship nnes are o'
inclined 20 discuss the report upon the Paris dls,
aster and the findings and rulings OF the Onlteo
States INSPECTORS OF Steam vessels but all express
profound sympathy for Captain Watkins