The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-11-10
BURNING or
NUTMEG STATE
eis
Steamboat inspectors Invest-
eating the Disaster.
CAPTAIN BROOKS TESTIMONY.
His Crew Did Not Stand BY 10 Obey Orders
After Fire Was Discovered
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS NOT KNOWN
The Captain Could Mol Tel Whether or Not Fire
Pumps We're Put In Operation Sinking
Of The fsruhoa Chicago.
Ills Crew Did Not Stand BY 10 Obey Orders
After Fire Was Discovered.
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS NOT KNOWN

New York, Nov -10.-The local board
of steamboat inspectors i'm session here
yesterday began an investigation of the
loss by fire of the steamship Nutmeg
State of the Bridgeport line in Long
Island sound on the morning of Oct. IA
and also OF the collision between the
ferryboat Chicago of the Pennsylvania
Railroad company and the City OF Au-
gusul of the Savannah Steamship line
on the morning of October /.
The burning of the Nutmeg State
was first taken up. Capt. Charles NJ.
Brooks. the first witness called, admit
ted that when the fire was discovered
the crew did not stand by strictly TO
obey orders. He slowed the boat down
for a minute. then rang for full speed
and headed the boat for the shore. she
touched the beach about ten minutes
afterwards lie could not say whether
Hhe fire pumps had been put in opera
ton or not.
Assistant Engineer Cole. who was on
duty in the engine room, first saw hre
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.
Capt Brooks upon further question
ing, admitted that he did not know how
many passengers were aboard the Nut
meg State the night She was burned.
The investigation was then adjourned
to secure the attendance OF the cook
and two watchmen who We're on duty
on the saloon deck when the fire broke
out.
rhe4- Chicago City of Augusta case
was then taken up. Capt. Henry 1.
TNa nf ba nf
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 or
1000 feet out from the New York pier
line. He blew one whistle. to which the
Fanwood paid no attention. He re-
peated the signal twice and heard no
answering whistle. but the Fanwood
evidently heard his signal. as she head
cd upstream and stopped. He then
saw broad on his port bow the Chicago.
She had not reached midstream and
was somewhat above the line Of the
PENNSYLVANIA slip a't Cortlandt street.
The City of Augusta was about oppo-
site pier 8. The tide was running ebb.
He blew a single blast OF the whistle,
but heard no response and repeated his
signal three times. The City Of Chi
cago was under one bell, going al the
rate NJ about ten miles an hour He
believed it to be his duty 10 continue
on his course but he'd not the heart
10 ring for fun speed. He stopped
shortly before coming into contact with
the Chicago. but did not back until aft
er 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
Chicag go the force Of the compact slued
the heed Cf the steamboat around to-
e1,. j.. Ia,s- to We
ouartermaster TO GO forward and as
sist any Of the passengers from the
ferrvboat TO the deck Of the steamer.
One ma came aboard I'm this way. but
two others refused to come aboard un-
III they mad secured their bagga ge. He
then backed full speed and the Chicago
went q 'wn directly under the bow. The
CITY Of Augusta got out n small boat
end picked up some ~ the men i'm the
water and on the sunken ferryboat. A
tug which came up i'm RESPONSE to his
q stress signals rescued others
w. II. Durham. captain of the Chi
c,ro. testified that he was about two
and a half boat lenQths off the Starin
line pier when he first saw the City
Of Augusta COMING up stream. She
was then about 400 feet distant from
the Chicago and was about 175 or POO
foot from the pier line. He heard no
whistle from the CNty ~ Auorsta.
When he discovered her-it-Hxaiild have
hnon impcss'hle for him ~ ston. a-d ~
the steamer had struck the ferrvbNot
'n that o~stticn she would have cut IN
10 the Chico COS boilers, He rang the
heV eN~ full sDoed ard evnressed the
hoNee 70 McCarthv. the wheelnar IN
tNe Oilot hc''-- with him that tho CWy
OF kuCusta would clonv the ferrvbN9t
As e~cn ae the cNllisiou occurred he
Nlew hts whistle for assistance We
'oNt 10 plot house 20 assief raeser-
ro~e He vfas rhe last one to leave the
su~trr fe~~vN~iot
Chorlce MrC'ar'hv the wheolman who
was In the nlir. house with Cant NV
taro. c1r~cbcratcd rs evidence end the
examination was then adjourned.