The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-29
Owners and Officers Held Re-
sponsib|e for the Tragedy.
PRONOUNCE MATE A COWARD.
Coronsrs Jury Admits Reporting Inspector
Lundbsrg TO U. S. Officials, and Holds
Hin for Criminal Negligence.

New York, June 2s.-The inquiry con-
Quoted by Coroner Berry and jury into
the General slocum disaster was con-
cluded yesterday, and after nearly four
hours deliberation a verdict was rendered
IN which the directors OF the Knicker-
booker Steamboat company, the captain
OF the Slocum the commodore OF the
fleet and others were held criminally re-
sponsible.
The mate OF the Slocum according 10 the
jury. acted In a cowardly manner. and
the misconduct OF Steamboat Inspector
Lundberg, II was stated. should be
brought to the attention or the Federal
authorities.
The charge in each, case was man
slaughter In the second degree.
Bail was fixed by the coroner in
amount varying from $1,000 TO 5000.
The directors of the company are:
Frank A. Barnaby president: Chase Hill.
vice president: James X. Atkinson. secre-'
tary: c. Delacey Evans. Robert NJ. Story,
Floyd 8. corbin and Frank G. Dexter.
FINDING OF JURY.
The coroner committed the assistant en-
gineer, Edward Brandow and the deck
hands, Coakey and Trembley, as wit
nesse. sending them to the House OF De-
tention.
AFTER pointing out the duty OF the diff
ferent officers and persons named and
their failure TO do their duty. the jury
finds
THAT the president. Frank A. Barna-
by; the secretary. James X. Atkinson.
and the board % directors OF the Knick-
erbocker Steam boat company. namely
K.- .~f~
James X. Atkinson, c. Delaney Evans.
Robert X. Story. Floyd s. Corbin and
Frank G.. Dexter were guilty OF criminal
negligence in the failure 70 see TO the
proper equipment of the General Slocum
In the matter OF hre-hghtng and life
saving appliances on board said boat
THAT the captain. William H. Van
Schaick. be held criminally responsible
for the accident.
That Captain John A Pease the ac-
knowiedged commodore OF t,ae fleet, re
held criminally responsible for his failure
TO properly equip the General slocum
with fire-hghting and life-saving appll-
ances.
SYSTEM INEFFICIENT.
That Edward Flanagan. the mate. act
cd In a cowardly manner. and we secom-
mend that he be held criminally responsi-
BILE for failure to perform his duty on the
General Slocum on the day OF the dis
aster.
That in the opinion OF this jury the
misconduct Of Henry Lundberg. the gov
eminent inspector. in failing 20 report
10 his superiors the facts concerning the
vessels FIRE extinguishing and life saving
equipment should he brought 70 the notice
OF the United States prosecuting officials.
and we further hold that said Henry
Lundberg be held for criminal negligence
by reason OF his Incompetence, careless
ness and Indifferent inspection 81 the Gen
eral Slocum's hull and life-ssving appara-
tus on the 5th day Of May. 1904.
The jury are also of the opinion that
the system of inspection that prevails in
the harbor OF New York In very inefficient
and does not properly determine whether
the life-saving apparatus and fire appli-
ances on the vessels in this harbor are in
proper and suitable condition 70 prevent
the loss OF life, and we recommend TO the
secretary of commerce and labor that ne
Issue such Instructions TO the supervising
and local force OF inspectors as will cause
them to efficiently and honestly examine
the steamboats, plying in and about this
harbor.'