New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19
he HEARD OF FIRE LATE
Tan Schaick Says He Had Passed
Sunken MeadO1Cs.

Captain Van shalck Of the General slocum
at the Lebanon Hospital last night, where he is
held under arrest, said that he did not learn
that the vessel was on fire until after he had
passed sunken Meadows. and it was too late TO
ground her there. His statement follows:
was in the pilot house Of the Slocum at Six
ty-fourth-st., where we passed the Grand Repuo-
lie and saluaIed her. After we had passed her l
walked to my cabin and sat there for some min
utes. The first knew OF the fire was when the
mate gave me the alarm about half way between
The Sunhen Meadows and North Brother Island
lrushed from my cabin, and saw that the names
had made cOnsidera bic headWay. The situation
called for quick action, and considered that
the best course was TO make for North Brother
Island, which about mile away II L had
gone back 20 the Sunken Meadows would have
had TO go in head on. and the boat would nave
been burned 10 the waters edge before L could
nave landed consider that AT the speed we
were going. about fifteen miles an hour, II
would have taken too much time TO nave
stopped the Slocum and turned her in the direc-
ton OF the Sunl1en Meadows. 1t was about
three minutes after had given the order to go
ahead that We reached North Brother Island.
Captain Van Schaick's attention was called to
the statements that the Slocun was on fire
when she passed Blackwell's Island. about
Eghty-sixth-st He admitted that the fire
hight have been burning for two or three min
ues before the 1au>es burst out.
Apparently fearing that the investigation Of
the slocum disaster BY the District Attorney
ana the coroners might fail, from want Of juris-
ticton, either TO lay the foundation for the
Punishment Of responsible persons. or to force
Inspections that might ward off future disas-
tsrs Of the kind. Mayor Mcclellan yesterday
wrote urgent appeal to George B. cortelyou.
yrFC 7 efOv to IA
The passenger-carrying boats in the waters ad-
'aoent TO New-York inspected Immediately.
d. offers 10 place at the service of the secre-
nry experts of three departments OF the city
government in such an inspection.
The Mayors letter follows:
June IS, 1904.
mon. George Is. Cor1elyou Secretary Commerce
and Labor. Washington. D. c.!
=, sr: The awful calamity which has oefaiieh
ue S city in the loss OF the lives OF so many nun
oIeds Of its inha abitants while on board me
s.samer General Slocum in the Sound on the
..yln inst. impels me TO invite your attehtlon 10
ne pnopriety OF an immediate inspection py the
United States government OF all passenger car
York City
The lack OF jurisdiction in the city authorities
.snsAes /; impossible for US TO protect our CIT
'@-hs from such dangers.
Would therefore urge that when making
.our investigation into the causes which opeI,
60 20 produce this recent calamity you eaueho
~ scope as have suggested.
ne season for this kind Of traffic is now open
.lg ana the tranquility Of the public mind, the
1870 of lfe, and even the interests OF the
"sIae Itself, call for immediate action
Anacpating your compliance with this sug-
sssnon, IL modification Of existing regulations
rgrVulo be undertaken the experts Of the Fire
rsslth ne and Building departments OF the city
~. ~. II desired, be placed at your service TO Ia
N'ilIte and expedite the work. Respectfully,
GEORGE y. MCCLELLAN, Mayor.
ron statements made yesterday by Robert
" Foaie. supervising inspector in the federal
'e'''ce. IL is plain THAT no inspection OF other
'@ssenger carrying stesnboats I'm New-York
waters VIII be made without some direct order
"0n secretsTy cortelyou Mr.. Rode said tina:
Continued On fourth page.