The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-13

An Investigation into the collision be-
tween the steamers Powhatan and Pris-
ella of Point Judith. I'm which both were
badly damaged and ones man killed on the
Priscilla was begun in the ONCE OF the
local inspectors OF steamboats, in the
Banigan building this morning. before
Commissioners Edward Wilcox and
Charles A. Potter.
Witnesses were examined I'm the fore
noon session from the Powhatan and they
told a plain story OF the affair.
! Capt. Arthur T. Hudgins OF the Pow
hatan was the first witness. He swore
that he was not in charge OF the vessel
as she came In by Block Island. but was
In charge at the time OF the collision
When the light on the Priscilla was re-
ported to him he ordered two blasts OF
the whistle, and when the reply of one
whistle was heard. after an interval. he
ordered three blasts. and the ship backed
at full speed at the same time, but the
boats came togetheS before the Powhatan
could be backed away
After the collision ne ordered the ship
TO 20 ahead at full speed. and then to
back again. and finally after ascertaining
that the Powhatan was not In danger of
sinking to proceed to the assistance OF
the other boat.
SURE OF HIS POSITION.
Captain Hndgins said he was certain OF
his position when the collision occurred,
Point Judith bearing south southwest
about four miles away. The night was
thick, but there was little sea on He
could have heard the fog signals on Bea-
yer Tail He wasn't sure when he passed
Point Judith whether he coula see Bea-
yer Tail light or Brenton's Reef lightship.
He had an impression that he saw the
light on Narragansett shore and on Bea-
Yer Tail, but after the collision he had
his hands full looking after the ship.
He did not see Whale Rock light at all
He was about one mile and half from
the shore and was heading about west
when he cleared the Priscilla. He ran
about three or four minutes after leaving
the Priscilla and then ran backwards.
After the collision he cast the lead and
found the water II fathoms strong.
At the time OF the impact the Pow
hatan was headed about north, but when
the ships cleared he was heading west.
He was but short distaace from the
Priscilla when he stopped backing. The
forward motion OF the Priscilla caused
the Powhatan to swerve west.
COULD SEE THE LIGHT.
John r. Hudgins. 81 years old. licensed
as a chief mate who was the officer n
charge of navigating the Powhatan from
Block Island TO Point Judith swore that
he could plainly see Point Judith light
when he passed Block Island, the ship
was then heading northeast half-north.
The Powhatan passed Point Judith, bear
ing due west at l0:55. about 2z miles OF.
He didn't see Beavertail light at that
time. He was in the pilot house when he
saw the Priscillas green light she was
about one mile away, and he could see
Point Judith light. He reported the Pres
ella to the captain who blew two whistles
and ordered the helm hard a starboard,
but IL was only gradually put over; II was
some time before the Prescila replied and
then she only blew one whistle. After
hearing the one whistle the Powhatans
wheel was put hard astarboard and the
engines backed at full speed. three whis-
ties being blown Mr.. Hudgins saw the
Prescillas green light only. lie -as In the
pilot house when the impact took place.
He saw. just before the Impact, red
light the Prescilla then being between two
and three lengths away. The engines
were stopped about 10 seconds after the
two whistles were blown as the Priscil-
la failed TO answer. Witness was ordered
10 go on deck and ask the other boat IL
anyone was hurt. ano was told all were
cafe and he had better look after his own
boat
The Powhatan was running for the light
ship at the time OF the impact, the cap
tain being then In charge; this was five
10 eight minutes before he saw the green
light. Both witness and captain kept a
look out. After the collision the captain
ordered the Powhatan ahead at full
speed and witness went below and exam
ined the damage and reported that the
ship was all right. The ship was stopped
and witness went among the passengers
assuring them everything was all right.
He could see Point Judith light plainly
after the collision. The Powhatan then
went back to the Priscilla.
A sEAMAN's STATEMENT.
John w. Price. 2l years old. a seaman
on Powhatan. who was bow watchman at
the time of the impact. went on watch
1ust before reaching Point judith, the
point then bearing off the port bow. He
didn't see Point Judith light when IL was
abeam The first light he saw was n green
light. and later white lights, but couldn't
tell what lights they were.
He reported the green light 10 the pilot
house. the light being about three-quar
ters Of a mile away. He heard the Pow
hatan blow two whistles, but IL was n
short time before he heard one whistle
from the Priscilla. lie was at his post
when the boats came together. he saw
the red light about three ship lengths
the Priscilla. He was then ordered TO as
sIst in lowering the boats.
Edwin johnson. "a years old. quarter
master OF the Powhatan, noticed the
light on the southeast point or Block
island very plainly. The first light made
after leaving Block island Is the Point
Judith light, and ne saw this light when
II was abeam, steering northeast by
north. half north.
He corroboeted the previous witnesses
as to seeing the green light and hearing
the whistles, and hearing the order 10
stop the engines. After hearing the one
whistle from the Priscilla he put mis-
wheel hard a starboard on the captains
order. lie saw the green light shut In
ana the red light came In view.
Al the time OF the Impact the Powhat-
tan was swinging fast 10 port under a
starboard helm After backing away
from the Priscilla the Powhatan was
heading about northwest. and run four
or Ave minutes on this course under slow
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