The San Francisco call., 1901-11-17


4 N wharf yesterday at noon, she did
not sail on her voyage to Manila,
and at midnight was still anchored in the
stream The transport had on board a
large list of passengers and many re-
cruits and casuals going to fill vacancies
Troubles among the engineers and ob1ec-
tions to the manner in which the essen
tial help of the engineering department
had been curtailed were given as the sea-
sons why the transport did not sail.
Former Chief Engineer G. H. Colbron
and his first assistant, Martin Nagle,
claim that the officers of the transport
forced them to resign, though they were
guilty of no offenses. They claim that
the laws governing vessels in the employ
of the United States Government prohibit
forced designations, and therefore they
express their intention of calling upon
the Secretary of the Treasury for an in
vestigation.
Whatever may be the grievances of the
chief engineer and his assistant, the, fact
remains that Captain Barneson and mis-
assistants yesterday encountered great
difficulty in getting the Meade away from ON
| tween Captain Wilson, commander of the
transport, and the men who run the en-
gines. Captain Wilson claims the en-
| g1neers have been insubordinate, have re-
| fused to obey orders, and have otherwise
conducted themselves contrary to good
discipline on the seas. The engineers say
| transport service is being conducted TO
be shut up with a summary dismissal.
When the Meade was ready TO sail yes
| terday there was hurried consultation
| among the officers, and it was found that
! the complement of the eng1ne-room was
far from complete. Anticipating this
was impressed as chief engineer and All
| gust Berg, second assistant on the Sher-
man, was transferred to the Meade as
| first assistant. George Kolb, who was
| chief engineer of the Sherman, was orig
! inally scheduled for the place, and not
being willing to undertake the job, re-
| signed.
An attempt was then made to transfer
! John Cochran, first engineer of the Grant,
! to the place, but as he declined McMullen
was temporarily forced to take charge.
! although it was a promotion, and 1t was
generally understood that as the help IN
the boiler and engine rooms was made
quate the engineers were not anxious TO
go to sea-
Economy in Engine Room.
It is said that recent assertions made
! regarding the expense of the transport
service has resulted in a spasm of econ
ures being used where they might be well
/ applied the bowels of the ships have been
attacked. Out of crew OF nine oilers
six were discharged. Three of the new
trician was also relieved from duty.
Shortly before noon yesterday l.. f.
| Hanson, j. w. douglas ana Il. j. ARD,
/ second, third and fourth assistant eng;-
neers, left the ship. 1t is said that at the
same time a number of the water ten
ders and electricians wanted to leave, but
were promptly put into irons under order
| of Captain Wilson.
The men who left the ship claim that
the economy in the engine room is the
sole cause of their withdrawal. as they
do not wish to imperil their lives or that
of their charges with an insufficient
amount of help The matter is very seri-
Gus, considerederom their standpoint. and
rather than go to sea in the manner in
which it was proposed to send out the
Meade they would forfeit their positions
in the transport service.
Many Passengers Aboard.
When the Meade sails the vessel is
scheduled to call at Honolulu as some of