New-York tribune., 1899-06-12
3" HEELLNG VARIATION"
ITS POSSIBLE RELATION TO THE
GROUNDING OF THE PARIS.

THEORY RECALLING THE LOSS OF THE HURON
THAT MAGNETIC ELEMENTS OF UNCER-
rAINrY ENTERED INTO THE DISASTER
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Discussion OF the scientific theory that the
American Line steamer Paris was drawn out OF
her course by magnetic influence brings reminders
Of several occurrences on the American coast, at
least one OF which accompanied by the wreck
OF a United States Government warship and the
loss Of nearly hundred officers and sailors Of the
United States Navy
Whether or not "the idea that magnetic infu-
ence IN the channel DETECTED the Paris from her
course Is childish nonsense as II has been char
acterized by the chief Of the British Government
Compass Department. there are other distinguisneo
scientists who do not ridicuc the magnetic attrac-
tion theory The heeling of vessels at sea rnd the
other magnetic elements of ships arc things as to
which special observations and allowances are
made In adjusting ships compasses.
In the case Of the Unlted States steamer Huron.
lost on the North Carolina coast In November 1871.
II was shown by testimony before the naval court
Of inquiry that there material variation OF
the course OF the ship on the night OF her wreck
'heeiing variation Il called. which
amounted at least to the difference OF three miles
in the position OF tho Huron the night and at
the time OF her wreck"-a variation Of which her
commanding officer and navigator were unin
formed, because the ''heeng variations OF the com
pass" for the Huron not furnished to her COM
mander and his want OF knowledge OF this vara-
ton "a grave misfortune.
The court OF inquiry found that the navigating
officer. Lieutenant Lambert p. Palmer. was re
sponsble for not taking bearings to Currituck
Light after passing 1t. and while II remained IN
sight which. by showing the direction from @ fixed
point would have established the Huron's prox-
unity 10 land" and that no back bearings appear
to have been taken"
Subsequently, George NJ Robeson, former Secre-
tary OF the Navy examined carefully the testimony
and findings of the court OF inquiry on the loss OF
the steamer Huron. and as a lawyer ne gave
written opinion that the abovequoted statements Oh
the findings "are not only wholly unsupported by
but are actually contrary to. the testimony ana
therefore, that the reflection of the Court and It's
quasi censure on the conduct Of Lieutenant Palmer
the navigating officer of the ship are not IN any
sense justified by the proof, and being founded
wholly upon these mistaken statements should DE
without weight or effect upon any one This con-
clusion and its acceptance would seem to be all that
is necessary to clear the memory OF Lieutenant
Palmer from every suggestion or respohs'p'h's io'
the loss Of the Huron"
Particularly pertinent. however. at this time, IN
relation to the theory advanced by Thomas ClarK
the English scientist that the stranded American
steamer Paris drawn out OF her course oy
magnetic influence OF the rocks along the coast OF
Cornwall Is the following llupoINaht
made by ex-Secretary Robeson indicating his be-
lief that the loss Of the steamer Huron was really
caused by material variation Of the course OF the
ship affected somewhat by the inset or current 10
the shore. variations OF which the commanding
officer and navigator uniformed. and the ell
feet OF which could not be noticed by them without
any land or light In sight from which to take
their bearings"
Mr.. Robesons careful and deliberate written opin-
ion that:
II the real cause of the loss OF the Huron is to
be sought for now. it would not be difficult TO hnd
i by careful examination o. the S tesSny tha Inetic m
Incidents connected with the navigation or iron
shDs ch the and W be
seen by the record in this case that IT Is is stated lated
In erect dr he npO iHG Nes to her
nandng officer by the professor of mathematics
This statement is not only inconsistent with but
exactly contrary to the testimony OF the professor
q Of the record, where he says:
~ made but did not furnish TO the commander
vertical force to determine the effect OF the snip
heeing. and the other magnetic elements OF the
these observations to the Huron was that the heel
ing coefficent so small. and that her southern
would become less and less.
Thus it is seen that the heeling variations Of the
compass OF the Huron were in fact mot furnished
to her commander. and the effect of this omission
was a material variation OF the course Of the ship
her commanding officer and navigator were unin-
formed and the effect of which could not be noticed
by them without any land or light in sight from
which take their bearings.
If these variations had been known and allowed
for and the course OF the ship changed by this al
lowance It would have placed her at the time when
she struck. about three miles from shore and In
situation where the soundings would have brought
TO the knowledge OF her officers the fact that her
course being affected somewhat by the inset
current to the shore
A heeng variation. which amounted at least to
the difference of three miles in the position OF the
Huron, on the night and at the time OF her wreck.
could hardly be too small for notice TO the COM
manding officer and his want of knowledge OF II
a grave misfortune CLIFF. WARDEN
Washington. June g. 1920