New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-07
BEGIN THE REINSPECTION
EXAMINE SLOCUM PILOT.
Steamboat Inspectors Instructed
Federal Grand jury Session.

spection were yesterdays part OF the aftermath
Of the Slocun disaster. The investigation by
the local inspectors is made imperative by the
regulations of the department. II Will proba-
bly, result I'm the withdrawal of the licenses
from some OF the officers of the Slocum. Cap
tain Van Wart, the pilot. who holds a masters
license well pilots. made very un-
comfortable yesterday when Inspector Barrett
read section of the regulations stipulating that
the master of every steamer thirty net
tons should hold fire drills and instruct the
crew TO the Use CO the fire lighting apparatus
and their stations
The federal grand jury is hearing much the
same testimony as that brought out before Coro-
ner Berry in The Bronx. Assistant District
Attorney Wise is examining witnesses. He said
that with to-day's session he will have pre-
sented all his testimony. but he doesn't think
indictments will be presented by the jury this
week a presentn1ent against the present in
spection system is expected.
Commander Winslow says the special COM
mission viii not hold regular hearings until the
other investigations are out OF the way. There
Will be no punitive power in the commission; its
work will be rather TO get a perspective on the
accident, outline impartially the causes leading
10 # and suggest remedies to prevent such
causes in the future. This viii probably include
a recommendation for thorough reorganization
of the steamship inspection service under
vtsed regulations.
Only four of the eighteen out of town in
spectors detailed for the renspection had
rived yesterday, so the work did not get very
far. These men, two boiler inspectors and two
inspectors Of hulls. went out 10 examine eXcur-
sion barges. AS fast the others come in they
will be set TO work on the excursion steamers
Every effort is being made TO have this inspec-
ton a thorough one. which will reassure
the public and the heads of the department.
Replies from several Of the steamship owners
have been received. setting early dates for the
reinspection. Supervising Inspector Rode ex-
poets no trouble from any of the owners, but If
the inspectors strike a suag the bureau Will
seize the steamer, if possible. and reinspect her
while she is held The first actual reinspection
will be to-day. the boat being the Cephus, of the
Iron Steamboat Company's fleet The others Of
that feet Will be ir-pected soon as they can
be locked. The Starin boats. including the Glen
Island boats and the New-Haven boats, will be
among the first Those belonging to the Morris
Excursion Company also viii be reinspected at
the first opportunity.
Mr. Rode has drawn up a letter Of instruction
which is 10 be handed to each inspector as he
begins his work. 1t tells him that the renspec-
tion is to be governed by the regulations Of the
department for the inspection OF steam vessels.
which must be strictly obeyed. The letter goes
your
snto the condition OF all steamers you may be
signed 70 10 ascertain wh@!nee; GndeT me pro
boat Inspection Service. and the Rules and Regu-
have been observed and complied with both by the
Inspector who last inspected the vessels and by
B. viii be used by the hull and boiler inspectors
must be noted therein. All the entries made per-
taining to equipment and the condition Of the boil
ers must be from actual observation and eXanlina-
work viii not be- applied 10 the boilers Your at
tentlOn L
States Revised Statutes which provides in part for
good and suitable hose OF sufficient strength 10
stand pressure OF not less than one hundred
ali parts OF the vessel and properly provided with
nozzles, and kept in good order and ready for i'm
Under the head of remarks, you viii note in
officer of any steamer 10 answer reasonable in
auries in regard 10 any vessel you examine. Of
work and also the exact condition Of the vessel.
mnen MI your examination OF a vessel Is completed
5o9 VII submit t4 your report book forms 3ll2
Office -o' ''' -'e0 "a ''''
It is earnestly desired that you will use your best
the order above referred to. that the public.
well as the department. may he informed OF the
OF the harbor Of New-York.
The efforts Of the local inspectors, James A.
Dumont and Thomas H. Barrett, at the first
sion of their investigation yesterday seemed de-
voted 10 bringing out evidence that the officers
OF the Inflated Slocum neglected their duty of
supervising the equipment of the vessel and
holding fire drills. To show that the officers neg
lected this important phase of safety precau-
tons will in some measure relieve the inspectors,
they apparently believe.
Inspector Barrett read carefully 10 Captain
Van Wart the section OF the regulations specify
ing that the master and first officer of a steamer
must draw up a station bill for the crew and the
engineers department and conduct weekly fire
cIills, at which all the apparatus must be tested
You understood that section of the regula-
lions, did you ot?" asked the inspector.
Yes was the answer somewhat reluctantly
did you carry it out2"
mo, always busy with other things"
lie looked over The equipment of the vessel in
q general way ne said. and if he saw ANYTHING
wrong fixed it The lifeboats were in fine con-
dition. Captain Van Schaick had charge Of the
life preseryers but he himself looked them over
Van Wart said, and there wasn't one with which
he'd have feared to jump into the Sound. He
was usually on board when inspections were
made, he said. but too busy to help the in
specto:s ,:@-E.
Mrs Smith, the negro stewardess OF the
Siocurn. told a vivid story Of the fights between
men and women for life preservers when the
alarm given.
Il saw the fire just after we passed the crazy
house said she. 4 stood on q stool and pulled
down couple Of life preservers, but two men
took them from me got another and jumped
over the side with two children I struggled
along until 4 tug picked NE up. The life pre-
server had broke under my arms"
John Morforte captain Of the ferrvboat
Bronx, plying between one hundred-and- thirty
fourth-st. and North Beach who it was said
did not exert himself to help the people on the
Slocum, testified that when he crossed the bow
of the Slocum he fire on board of her