The San Francisco call., 1904-07-16
RUN ON BOARD
STEAMER COLON
Local Boat Inspectors Try
to Discover Why the Ship
Was Driven Upon a Reef
BULGER TALKS PLAINLY
Informs the Engineers That
They Are on Trial for
Being Drunk on Duty


The investigation into the wrecking
OF the steamship Colon. which was ad-
5ourned a few weeks ago. was resumed
yesterday morning by United States
Steamship Inspectors Captains 0. F.
Bolles and J. K. Bulger
The Colon ran upon Remedies Reef.
between San Jose de Guatemala and
Acajutla, at 4:56 a. m. on April IL At
the former session of the board il was
shown that Captain William Irvine had
lost his reckoning because, as he al
legged, Chief Engineer Sullivan had not
obeyed his orders as TO the number of
revolutions 70 be made by the engines.
On the other hand, Sullivan had as
EtOutly affirmed that the captain had
ordered fifty-four revolutions on leav-
ing San Jose and that shortly there
after he had changed it 10 ffty-one.
After further proceedings yesterday
the case went over until July IS, when
Steerage Steward T. Jordan and Sec
ond Assistant Engineer Campbell are
expected TO be present.
The investigation hinges upon the
problem whether or not the engineer
and his assistants were drunk or sober
during the forty-eight hours preceding
the wreck. Harry G. Stevens, the
storekeeper. had testified that all
hands with the exception Of the cap
tain. were drunk because Of undue re-
joicing over the wedding Of First Mate
Wilson.
Yesterday Captain Bulger read an
affidavit dated at Churchill, Nevada.
and sworn to by the storekeeper, reit-
Grating his testimony as 10 the drunk
enness Of the engine room crew. The
affidavit proceeds as follows:
First or all. so Tar as reforging Captain
Irline's name 10 an order for beer, or, in fact.
any other thing Is concerned, Carey has told
wlilfCI and malicious lie. and ! challenge
him or any one else-ro produce same. In fact
if he can prove that ] ever did 1 viii
knowledge Thar all the testimony given by
mo was rerjured-
Now gentlemen I did not on the witness
stand volunteer any information. but
sHered all questions put 10 me by yourselves
- nearly correct a. ] remembered. and ] viii
add now that every word / uttered true.
I-urthernore, that after I gave my testimony
thcf Engineer sullivan came 10 me in the
faI near your office ana told me he ex-
pected 70 receive some money from a rels-
rlfe. and II I would 80 back and tell YOU
that I had made q mistake and say that he
u-d not touch any liquor / would be
SORRY for 80 doing I immediately told Third
ofhCer Taylor Of the proposition and decided
not to mention the matter any further.
As said before and sav now nobodv Is
sorrier the thing occurred than J. but they
10 save themselves have endeavored TO have
me arrested for perjury. for. Il forced, I can
prove that what / said is absolutely true
Ny address is Fort Churchill. Nevada. II
you want me further, a letter viii reach me.
and VIII come on the first train. as 1 court
the fullest inquiry and there might be other
cases oi perjury as the outcome
Captain Bulger questioned the men
sharply NJ D. Sullivan, first assistant
engineer, testified that he was not
aware that the men were drinking on
board the Colon He said that he had
been in the storekeeper's room and had
taken one glass of ginger ale. Chief
Engineer ". z. D. Sullivan, he de-
clared, was there also, but drank only
ginger ale. He saw no champagne on
that occasion.
Daniel Farley. third assistant en-
glneer. said that he was also in the
storeroOm and saw a bottle Of whisky
opened. but did not see anybody taste
It. He drank ginger ale himself and
saw Chief Sullivan and Assistant En-
Eineer Sullivan drinking the same The
witness said that Second Assistant En-
gineer Campbell relieved him at mid
night Campbell was perfectly sober
Did you tell any one" asked Cap
tain Bulger, after you got into San
Francisco that you had a good time on
Dodfu AHe SNIP
This the witness denied.
You three engineers are on trial."
said Captain Bulger, with regard to
your drinking. If you want any wit
nesses called on your behalf you may
have them"
The accused men said that they did
not wish any witnesses.
In answer to Captain Irvine, the wit
ness Farley said that from 10:45 D. m.
until 1903 ,. m. on april 9 the ship
had been going on fifty-four revoIu-
uons per minute. Then the order was
given for fifty revolutions, which speed
was maintained until the ship struck
Inspector BuIger offered to have
Stevens brought back from Nevada to
testify again, but the engineers said
that they did not wish him.