New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-30
COW-LES NOT TO BLAME.
NauaI Court Criticises Him, but
Recommends No fiction.

Washington. March 2s.-The report OF the court
OF inquiry, OF which Rear Admiral Wise was pres-
dent. the investigation Of the collision between
the bsttleshps Missouri commanded by captain
Cowlos. and me Illinois. commando by Captain
Bradford. was made pu5lic to-day. TIE court re-
c0umends further proceedir IS. and its acton Is
approved by Rear Admiral Barker. commander IN
chief OF the North Atlantic station. Accompany
ing tho report are opinions by the Judge advocots
general and by Admiral Dewey, each Of whom
concrrs IN the recommendation that no further pro-
cecdings be had. The case IS accordingly closed
IN its opinion. the court says:
As TO the question Of responsibility. the court Il
o. the opinion thar he collision vas rot que 70
offlcer any officer or man % the Illinois On
hoard the Missouri Captain Cowles gave the nee
esssry orders Tor immediate reversing the engines
Tor fun speed astern, repeated the signal IS an
signal which should warn the Illinois II tho Ms
sourts BREAKDOWN and movements, nut tsieC -
mo cate the course 70 SlarooaTa py "He o-asl o.
THE whistle, Rnd backing by three blasts. II
end also failed 70 sound the siren cs for col
lision when collision became inevitable. Tho order
not obeyei 81 the oti6eF Of the deck Lieutenant
nois while the absence 81 prescribed whistle sig-
noTsrce ~ the Misso,lrfs actual movements.
This failure 10 convey 10 the Illinois direct the
bard he missouri was. the opinion q he court
after the accident 20 the steering engine. the sec
rUfRry the collision.
TIE third cause of the collision was the backing
OF the engines on board the ILLINOIS, ~ court y
~ the opinion that this ecuon on the part %
Cs0taiu Bradford by means an error OF
Judgment a fault act OF negligence on his
mart. on the contrary, guided as he was solely ~
such observation as he himself could make on th-
movements % tho Missouri and mised by signa Is
actually 6i~ppyed by the Missouri. his conclueio1
was fvst and HE action wise. IN other words ha'!
The Missouri been actually doing what her speed
cones and the absence 81 other signals showed
namely steering 6 course ~ high rate OF speed
p close distance across the Illinois bow. the Oh
vioUs for the Illinois 90 pursue was TO let
Captain Cov-les acted promptly and decisively IN
the eEpedieut which he adopted 20 control his
ships Roadway. whatever eXped'ert he adopted
muncated 20 the Illinois by the prescribed signals
fhe latter could have manTuvrod 20 avoid the col
Hsion.
Secretary Moody IN connection with the case.
asked Admiral Dewey for opinion TO the de-
STABILITY of allowing newly commissioned ships an
interval practice before entering squadron drills
and 20 what action should be taken IN view Of
the failure OF the steering gear board a number
o. vessels
As TO the FIRST question the Admiral said IN In
tsrval Of practice was Indispensable to a newly
commissioned ship before placing her IN squadron
hereafter.
with regard 20 the repeated failures OF steering
gear the Admiral said the strictest accountability
should be eXacted and that any omission profit
bF the experience OF former mishaps 10 correct
The possibility Of the recurrence OF should ba
visited Nttn severe disciplinary measures There
3. Le added. no greater source OF danger f. feet
! evolutions or IN war operations than defective
steering gear. and the question should ue exhaust
I lively considered.
A statement by ChIcr Constructor Capps shows
/ that the approximate cost % the repairs on The
! Missouri will be 81 eco