The times., 1899-10-19
TWO OFFICERS CENSURED.
Responsibility OF the Newnrk's Coal
Shortage Fixed

responsibility of the NeHnrk's Coal
Shortage Fixed.
The Acting Secretary of the Navy has
approved and made public the findings of
the court of enquiry which met at San
Francisco and investigated the shortage
of coal on board the cruiser Newark during
her voyage from the West Indies TO the
Pacific Coast Of South America. The court
recommended that Capt Caspar F. Good
rich, the commanding officer of the vessel,
and Lieut. Albert Moritz, the chief en-
gineer be censured for dereliction Of duty,
but that no further proceedings be taken.
In approving these findings the Navy De-
partment has finally disposed Of the case.
The findings cover eight typewritten
pages and are generally interesting only
in a few particulars. 1t will be remem-
bered that the Newark experienced heavy
weather OF the Chilean Coast and on ac-
count of her coal shortage was not able
to battle with the storm as successfully
as she might uuuer other circumstances.
The most important part OF the court 5
opinion deals with the deficiency in the
bunkers of the Newark on her run from
Possession Bay TO Isthmus Bay, on the
Pacific side of South America. It was
shown by the testimony that the Newark
left Monteyideo with 555 tons Of COAL
although credited with having 726 tons in
her bunkers.
On the passage to Sandy Point the only
coaling station on the Straits OF Magellan
a large increase in the shortage was dis
covered by Lieutenant Moritz. He had
frequent conversations with Captain Good
rich in which according TO the findings
Of the court of enquiry, Lieutenant MOritz
not only stated that there was a large
shortage without mentioning an exact
amount. but suggested that the Newark
stop at Sandy Point to take on 100 or 200
tons more of coal. Il appeared further
from the evidence that the condition OF
the coal supply on board was such that
the Newark was commencing to draw on
the reserve supply Of about 200 tons; that
this circumstance was reported 20 Captain
Goodrich by Lieutenant MorItz. and that
Captain Goodrich informed him that he
would consider the advisability Of stopping
at Sandy Point for more coal. Captain
Goodrich after finding that the coal re-
port said that there were 4S5 tons on board,
decided TO keep on and not stop at Sandy
Point. He did not, however, take official
action to determine the actual amount of
coal on board the Newark before deciding
10 pass 0dnQg IDiHlr llle last pAdIC- VI CDtii
supply between MontevideO and Ancud OF
Lota After reciting these facts the court
says that it is of the opinion that, as the
result of Captain Goodrichs action, the
safety of the ship was not hazarded nor
the lives of her crew jeopardized.
The conclusions and recommendations
of the court are set forth as follows:
Therefore in view of all the evidence
adduced bearing upon the question. the
court finds that the United States steam
ship Newark did pass Sandy Point with
an insufficient supply Of coal, and that
Capt. Caspar F. Goodrich L. S. N. the
commanding officer, and Lieut.. Albert
Moritz. L. S. n. in charge of the engin-
eer's department of the Newark are re-
sDonsible therefor, in that Lieutenant
Moritz failed to report at any time prior
TO the Newark's reaching Sandy Point
the definite amount of shortage Of coal
in tons that actually existed on board that
vessel. and in that Capt. Caspar f. Good
rich failed to take definite measures to
ascertain the actual amount Of coal on
board when or before the Newark passed
Sandy Point And the court is OF the
opinion that Capt. Caspar T. Goodrich
and Lieut.. Albert MOritz, merit and
should receive censure for dereliction OF
duty as herein set forth, and the court
so recommends. And the court is fur
ther of the opinion, and so recommends,
that no further proceedings should be had
i'm the matter