Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-10
WHO IS At FAULT
Investigation Of the Nutmeg State and City Of
Chicago Disasters.

| New York, Nov. 9.-The local boaro
of steamboat inspectors in session here
| today, began an investigation of the
loss by fire of the steamboat Nutmeg
State of the Bridgeport Line in Long
| Island Sound, on the morning of Oct
H. and also of the collision between the
| ferryboat Chicago of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Co. and the City of Augusta
of the Savannah Steamship Line on the
morning of Oct. 81.
| The burning of the Nutmeg State
was first taken up. Captain Charles NJ
| Brooks, the first witness called admit
ted that when the fire was discovered
| the crew did not stand strictly to obey
orders He slowed the boat down for
Il minute then rang for full speed and
headed the boat for the shore. She
| touched the beach about 10 minutes af-
forwards. He could not say whether
| the fire pumps had been put in opera
| ton or not.
| Assistant Engineer Cole, who was on
| duty in the engine room. first saw fire
/ among the deck beams Of the engine
room between the boilers and the coal
bunkers. He did not see many orders
| obeyed. He directed the lowering of
the after port boat.
Captain Brooks, upon further ques-
tioning admitted that he did not know
how many passengers We're aboard the
Nutmeg State the night she was
burned.
The investigation was then adjourned
to secure the attendance of the cook
and two watchmen who were on duty
on the saloon deck when the fire broke
out.
The Chicago-City of Augusta case
was then taken up. Capt. Henry c.
Daggett Of the City of Augusta. said
that when off the Battery he saw the
ferryboat Fanwood Of the New Jersey
Central Line coming from the Jersey
shore across the river. AT this time
the City Of Augusta was about 500 OF
1000 feet out from the New York Line
pier. He blew one whistle. to which
the Fanwood paid no attention. He
repeated the signal twice and heard no
answering whistle, but the FanWood
evidently heard his signal as she head
ed up stream and stopped. He then saw
broad on his port bow the Chicago
She had not reached mid-stream ana
was somewhat aboV- the line Of the
Pennsylvania slip At Cortlandt street
The City Of Augusta was about oppo-
site Pier :. The tide was running ebb
He blew a single blast of the Whistlr
but heard no response. ana repeated
his signal three times. The City of Au-
gusta was under one bell. going at the
rate of about 10 miles an hour He be
lieved IL 10 be his duty to continue on
his course but had not the heart to
ring for full speed. He stopped shortly
before coming into contact with the
Chicago but did not back until after
the collision. He feared that he might
force the Chicago against the Starin
Line pier, and cut her in two. When
the City of Augusta struck the Chicago
the force Of the compact slowed the
head Of the steamboat around toward
the shore.
Tie gave orders to his quar-
termaster to go forward and assist any
Of the passengers from the ferry boat
To the deck Of the steamer. one man
came aboard in this way but two
others refused 10 come aboard until
they had secured their baggage H
then backed fun speed and the Chicago
went down directly under her bow
boat and picked up some of the men
in the water and on the Sunken ferry
boat \ tug which came up in Response
to his distress signals rescued others
w. II. Durham. captain of the Chica-
go. testified that he was about TWO and
4 half boat lengths off the Starin Line
pier when he first saw the City of Au-
Susta coming up stream. She was then
about 400 feet distant from the Chicago
and was about 115 or POO feet from III
pier line. He heard no whistle from the
city of Augusta. When he discovered
her it would have been impossible for
him to stop and if the steamer had
struck the ferry boat in that position
she would have cut into the Chicago'S
boilers. He rang the bell for full speed
and expressed the belief to Mccarthy
the Wheelman in the pilot house with
MIN. that the City Of Augusta would
clear the ferry boat. As soon az the
collision occurred. he blew his whist,
for assistance. He left the pilot house
10 assist the passengers. He was the
last one to leave the sunken ferry boat
Charles Mccarthy. The whealman who
was in the pilot house with Cart. Dur
ham. corroboratcd his evidence ana the
examination was then adjourned.
n