The Washington times., 1904-07-20
Taken Down River.

that body, conducted by Coroner hewitt
and accompanied by Steamboat Inspec-
tors Wright and Wright, was taken
down the river I'm the police boat igi-
liant, TO the scene of the fatal accident
The jury consisted Of Frederick Giese-
king. Frank K. Raymond. S. Porter
House. Charles r. Wood, w. A. Dutton
and Thomas b. Walker
Much time was consumed in prelirni-
naries. and the usual crowd of morbid
curiosity-monger awaited impatiently
the real beginning Of operations.
At the inquest the Capital Yacht Club
and George II. Bright who came near
meeting the fate that befeH Mr.. Lee
were represented by John E Taylor.
Mrs. Lee, the widow of the dead man.
was represented by Brandenburg &
Brandenburg. Neither the Randall Line
nor Captain Barker was represented by
counsel
The first witness was Deputy Coroner
GlaZebrOOk. who testified TO the Of
fetal inspection Of the body of Mr. Lee.
He described the injuries which had
been inflicted by the collision. most of
which were minor in character. and
gave II as his opinion that death had
resulted from drowning
Inspector Wright Testifes.
Charles w. Wright. local inspector Of
hulls, said he had been instructed to ap-
pear by the Department of Commerce
and Labor. He was also under sub
poena from the office Of the Coroner.
He read from the Government regula-
lions the rules governing the manage
ment of steam vessels and the lights re-
quired to be displayed.
Captain Wright made objection to en-
tering upon a discussion of the rules.
on the ground that his own department
would make an investigation of the case.
Coroner hewitt. however, insisted that
his questions must be answered. and the
inspector complied
He said he knew Of no rule law re-
ulating the conduct of vessels approach
Ing docks, with reference 20 smaller
vessels, save that II should be rharac-
terlzed by care and coutiou liz. cited
me law requiring that passenger steam
ships shall maintain a lookout at or
near the bow, between sunset ard sun
rise. Sailing vessels, following the r,fes
nave the right Of way over steam YES
sells.
Technical Discussion.
There was much technical discussion
or the lights the law says must be pIac-
ed aboard vessels of various types The
lnspectOrd said a launch of the size
which was run down by the Harry Rar-
dali was not required to carry a H.
censed pilot or engineer He said there
was no legal requirement that team
boats should carry a searchlight. Mas
tiers and pilots. however. must exercise
every care to prevent injury to other
craft
captain Wright answering a hypo-
thetical question. said steamboat
should give the right Of way TO a sail
boat. when the latter was itself acting
in obedience to the law.
He had made an inves tigation Of the
launch that was struck by the Randall
and said he could not find no rudder nor
any indication that any steering appa-
ratus had ever been used. 1t appeared
from his testimony that such chaft may
| be managed without a rudder
He said there was no question that TIC
launch should have carried a light after
dark.
The witness was somewhat confused
by jurors question as 20 the manner
in which the lights on such a launch
should be displayed. He had testified
with some degree Of elaboration on this
5oSjSoN OUt 'iiC NuOSblOA SIuAlpeu hlHi-
He thought. after q time. that the lights
might be kept IN the bottom of the
launch and held up by the occupant as
ne approached other craft.
Mr.. Brandenberg wanted to know il il
were a part Of his duty, as AN inspector
of hulls. to be familiar with the naviga-
ton laws and their enforcement. The
witness said he had been required to
pass an examination or these subjects
Mr.. TAYLOR asked II the towing boat
were made fast to the schooner lowed,
would both be required to show lights
Eyes, undoubtedly" was the answer.
THAT would make no difference"