The evening times., 1899-10-17
SEARCHING FOR VICTIMS
An Investigation Of the Steamer
Nutmeg State Disaster.
The Captain of the Burned Vessel
Submits an Official RepOrt-The
Mystery-The Bodies of Woman
and Child Cast Up by the Waves.

NEW YORK, Oct. 17-Capt G. M.
Brooks, of the steamer Nutmeg State, of
the Bridgeport line, which was burned on
Saturday morning. filed his report OF the
disaster with the local board of steamboat
inspectors, in the Federal Building, late
yesterday afternoon.
His statement is to the effect that the
Nutmeg State caught fire about the smoke
stack at o'clock on Saturday morning.
that the fire spread rapidly amidships, and
that the steamer was at once headed for
the shore, where she was beaehed and to-
tally destroyed. Everything possible was
done. he says, to suppress the fire, and the
officers and crew worked energetically to
save the passengers. Captain Brooks says
that he can give no cause for the breaking
out of the fire.
Justice of the Peace Isaac Allen, who is
acting coroner of Nassau county, said yes
terday that the inquest was to be held to-
morrow, but that if the bodies supposed to
be now in the wreck were not then recov-
cred the date would probably be changed.
The bodies of the woman and the child
washed up on the beach were identified
yesterday as those of Mrs. Mary Lager.
Rose, three years old.
Mrs. Lager came TO this country from
Cosion, Switzerland. where her husband is
a matchmaker Mrs. Resalind Young, of No.
1872 West Thirty-sixth Street, was positive
in the identification which she made. The
H.,
terry tomorrow, and the steamship company.
il is understood, will bear the expense, as
Mrs. Young said she could not afford to do
so. Mrs. Lager had no relatives in this
country.
At the office of the Bridgeport Steamboat
Company yesterday 1t was said that if there
there were still any bodies in the wreck il
would probably be several days before they
could be recovered. Divers who had been
at work on the hull since Sunday said that
before they could make a thorough search
for bodies much of the wreckage would
have to be cleared.
J. H. Jenkins. president Of the company.
said TIE search for the bodies concerns
US most. We may pump out the hold until
1t is possible TO float the hull If holes are
discovered in the hull il will be necessary
TO plug these before we can set the pumps
TO work. We shall push the work with all
possible speed. The vessel lies in an ex-
posed condition, and If a heavy gale should
strike her she would undoubtedly go 10
pieces. We are anxious 10 beach her in a
more protected place as soon as possible.
The Nutmeg State and cargo are beyond
redemption. All the freight was on the
maindeck. AS the deck burned the cargo fell
into the hold. The collapse of the deck AMI
the consequent chaotic condition of the hold
| are what will make the work of reclaimins
! the dead, if any remain in the wreck. very
! difficult.
Everything that was combustible above
! the water line seems TO have burned. The
vessel was worth $4,000 and insured for
s60GCO. A meeting of the directors of tbs
company has been called for Tuesday noon
| and then II will be decided whether the
Nutmsg State will be replaced by purchase
or building