New-York tribune., 1899-07-09
LOSS OF THE FRA DIAVOLO.
COURTS MAY HAVE TO DECIDE THE RE-
SPONSIBILITY FOR THE COLLISION.

1t will I'm all probability devolve upon the Ad-
miralty Court to determine who was to blame Tor
the sinking OF the steam yacht Fra Davolo by the
Merritt & Chapman wreckng tug Hustler on Fri
day evening of Pier No. 6. North River. as those
who were on each Of the vessels assert that the
pilot OF the other at fault.
Steamboat men along the water front say that
1t is not improbable that the accident resulted
from misunderstanding of signals. but there are
who intimate that II may have been caused
by stubborn determination on the part Of one or
the other of the pilots TO have his own way and
pass the otEer boat the side most convenient for
him.
"A large proportion Of the river and harbor COL
lisIons are undoubtedly caused by confusion in
signals" said old boatman yesterday. but the
contrariness of the at the wheel plays pretty
big part I'm some of them"
Howard MacNutt who Is n brother-in-law or
Edward S Stokes the owner of the Fra Diavolo
and who with Mrs MacNutt was entertaining
party Of friends on the yacht when the accident
occurred. said yesterday that the collision was un
doubtedly due TO the failure OF the plot OF the
Hustler to observe signals.
Captain Smith, who was I'm charge OF the Fra
Diavolo gave the signal one whistle. that we were
going TO starboard. owing TO the tide we could
not possibly go to port" said Mr.. MacNutt "This
signal was repeated twice and each time the
Hustler replied with two whistles and did not
change her course point. She had plenty OF
steerage room. while we had none"
Mr.. MacNutt said that arrangements Tor raising
the yacht in allegiance When asked whether
suit would be brought against the Merritt Chap
man company. and whether the Hustler would be
libeled he said. The details Of these matters you
must get from Mr.. Stokes
Mr.. Stokes is In Virginia.
Mr. MacNutt was indignant at a story published
to the effect that the owner OF dog on board had
obstructed the escape from ;he yacht when 1t was
sinking by refusing to go until the animal which
was asserted 10 have been running wildly around
There is not a word Of truth in that story" he
said. Tho Gog belonged 20 my wiie. She mao ~
in her arms before the collision occurred; ana NepI
1t there until, Just as she was Going apVdtu "a @ me
lighter, ] took II from her and handed II 10 on, one
OF the Hustlers crew. Mrs MacNutt ected iiHd nHe
q heroine all through the accident. She asSi,teI i
the other women with their life preserVers. ana
the last person TO leave the yach'' except my
self 1t was about four minutes from me tne we
were struck until the yacht sank out OF sight
Mr. MacNutt would not give the names n OIL oI an al
them were the Rev. DR.. Ibrahim G. kheiraHa, the
head Of a religious sect which meets IN HrhealoEI- @
cal Hall. in West Fifty -scvcnth-st., ana MS TWO
The report Of Captain Thomas j. Smith, Of the
Fra Diavolo was Aed with the local Board OF
Steamboat Inspectors yesterday II Is as follows:
~ wos about to make q landing ~ Picr 40. b nay
ing Just passed the port side or think nc oi NE
Stonircton Line steamers. when saw the Hustler
heading for New York having the Fra DiaVolo on
ber own port side. ! blew one whistle and was an
sWcred with two. As it was impossible to get un-
UU'bistia again and was answered with two whis-
ie' ne sfrilng the Fra Diavolo about amdships on
w. ort s;dc 40 ,naring tho Fra Diavolo so badly
that she sank in about ten minutes. The Hustler
came assistance. taking off all on board sew
At The ofrccs Of the Merritt & Chapman Wreck,
Ing Company yesterday it was said that they as had
ceived no official report from the captain Of the
Hustler and did not expect one until Monday