Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-01

OUGHLY BY ALL WHOSE DUTY
IT WAS TO PASS UPON HER Be
FORE SHE LEFT PoRT-DECLAR
ED THAT SHE WAS IN GOOD
TRIM WHEN SHE LEFT HOMO
LULU FOR THE SECOND STAGE
OF HER JOURNEY.
WASHINGTON. November 3e.-The
Quartermaster general has received
detailed report by telegraph from Lieut..
Col. o. F. Long, in charge of the trans
port service at San Francisco on the
transport Manauense which recently
arrived at Manila after undergoing
frightful hardships in a Pacific typhoon
The report which was requested be-
cause of the statements of the unfit
ness of the vessel for transport ser
vice is as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, November 90
In reference to your telegram to-day
transport Manauense sailed October
18th for Manila via Honolulu. Her
capacity was 20 officers and ESQ en-
listed men. She carried II officers and
$50 enlisted men. She was inspected
by Capt. Metcalf, SURVIVOR of Lloyd's
register, who officially reported ves-
sci In good order and condition when
she left this port both in hull and ma
chinery.' She is elassed q number
one, star one, Lloyds. Also was thor
oughly inspected here by treasury de-
partment inspector Of bulls and boil
ers, who reported her In excellent con-
dition. Official reports of these officers
are on file and recorded.
Treasury officials would not allow
any unseaworthy ship, whether govern
ment or otherwise, to leave port, would
not grant clearance, consequently ex-
pert opinion pronounced Manauense
perfectly seaworthy. She was provided
with all life saving apparatus, even
more than treasury department regu-
lations required Her crew, under or
binary circumstances, numbers 80 men.
She actually carried from San Fran
cisco a crew of 40 men, which fully met
requirements OF treasury officials. She
carried So days provisions for 400 en-
listed men, and was provisioned for
crew and army officers by agents OF the
vessel for 160 days. Besides. she had
in her hold 900 tons measurement OF
bacon, -four, canned goods and other
commissary supplies. Manauense was
also Thoroughly inspected by Colonies
Darlington and Maus, inspector gener-
ais, and by Captain Barneson, marine
superintendent, and by other transport
officials. Lieut.. Col. Hayes also FREE
quently inspected transport previous
to departure. All express themselves
thoroughly satisfied with every arrange
ment and provision made here. The
ship met Lloyds' requirements, which
are highest known among shipping peo-
pie. This in itself should have eufic-
lent guaranty OF seaworthiness.
THE vessel made an average speed Of
ten knots from Honolulu TO Manila Had
her machinery been seriously impaired shs
certainly could not have made the distance
in the time she did. believe, and an our
officials connected with the transport SER
vice here concur. when Manauense left hers
she was perfectly seaworthy, fully manned
and amply provisoned-"
Commenting upon the above report. Col
Baihnger In charge of the transport SER
vice here, said It seemed clear that tho
utmost vigilance had been used by every
one connected with the inspection Of trans
ports at San Francisco and as the oognmis-
sary branch had also shown the care used
by them such hards5llps as had occurred
must be attributable to tho elements.
against which no amount OF care could
prevail with absolute assurance. Officers
here had received Honolulu newspapers
showing that the Manauense was ali Hight
when she arrived there, 70 that tho troll
bio must have occurred between Honolulu
and Manila