The Portland daily press., 1899-05-17

and Boston and International lines. was
the next witness. He was acquainted
with the engines and boilers of the Port
land, and Inspected them In May, 1893.
He told how he inspected the boilers and
engines for the last time, finding them
ali right. Thomas B. Merrill, the chief
engineer, was an old ship-mate OF the
witness and the latter testified in strong
terms as to his efficiency. The assistant,
Walton, was also competent.
MIR. Charles +. Williams. the Boston
agent of the line, and for 35 years in its
service, testified that he bad been the
Boston agent IA years. He said that
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SAILING
always rested with the captain, and he
as local agent had no control over the
boats as to their sailings. He had known
Captain Blanchard for a long time, and
considered him perfectly reliable, with
Judgment always perfect. In the Boston
office at 1.30 p. M. they receive the
weather forecast, and about $50 special
report of New York weather. This New
York weather, with TIE Boston weather
added, is sent to Portland. On Novem-
her 20, between II and l2 O'Clock the
weather bureau telephoned to the office
a weather report which showed north
east storm central at Detroit. At /. 30
they received the regular weather report.
At 315 they received a telegram from
New York as follows:
"To Williams, Boston,
"Wind N. f., light; showing; 49,"
At 6.07 o'clock they received the New
York weather again. Who called for this
he could not say. AS matter OF prac-
tice it would be Captain Blanchard or
Pilot Nelson. This telegram read:
Showing; wind N. W."
and was given to Captain Blanchard by
the witness.
what did the capatin say when you
gave him this report?' was asked OF the
witness.
"Hs said to me that he was satisfied
the wind was coming from the north.
wes5 This was the same that he had said
to me when he looked over thetregular
weather report.
Witness went home at 6.l5. At that
time there were no special indications OF
storm.
MIR. Liscomb telephoned witness about
4.30, wishing to talk with Captain
Blanchard. Not being able to reach him,
he told witness to tell Captain Blanchard
that Captain Dennison would stay In
Portland until niue O'Clock, and that
Captain Blanchard had better do the
same. Mr.. Liscomb also requested that
Captain Blanchard call up Captain
Dennison before sailing.
About o. 80 the witness called up the
Portland Office, aud in his presence Cap
tain Blanchard talked with Captain Den
nison. Mr.. Liscomb had requested.
Captain Blanchard said to Captain Dan
nisonc ''Ihere is no change in the
weather; it is just the same and l am
going ut seven o'clock" Captain Denni-
son said he thought he should wait until
nine. Captain Blanchard said he should
go at seven.
Mr.. Libby here asked witness If Cap
tain Blanchard had remarked that 1t
would be more favorable going east than
coming west
Witness replied that Captain B]anoh
ard, who was a man of few words, dld
not say so but such was always under
stood All oDg the captains.
MIR. George B. Dudley OF Ashmont,
Mass, freight cashier in the Boston
ofii ce, testified that at quarter to seven
Captain usnnisons from Portland called
up Captain Blanchard. Captain Dennison
wanted to know what Captain blanchard
intended to do. Captain blanchard
walked to the window, looked out. and
returning to the telephone directed wit
ness to tell Captain Dennison that the
weather was unchanged and he should
sail at seven o'clock. Captain blanchard
asked how the weathe- was in Portland,
and Captain Dennison replied that 1t was
the same. While the telephone was ring
ing Oh