New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
PRAISE BOATS ENGINEER.
Glen Island Report Submitted No
One Blamed.

In the report of the local steamboat inspectors on
the burning OF the Glen Island. no is blamed
for the loss of the nine lives which resulted
the fire. In added transcript. Theodore T. Mer-
sereau praises the action of chief engineer and
gives him the credit of rescuing those persons
whose lives saved. although he was dsobey-
ing rules The supervising inspector. Mr.. Harris.
also considers that praise is due the engineer.
The bulk of the report deals with statements
garding the disaster. The officers and are
oinclally exonerated and the fire is attributed to
ueieetVe electric light wiring No suggestions con-
corning future inspections are made.
The Glen Island, according to the report Of the
local board of steamboat inspectors. left NewYork
ABOUT $3.50 p. m for New-Haven, carrying ten pas
sehgers and crew of twenty-one persons When
she was in Long Island Sound. east of Execution
MOCK the electric lights the steamer, after
seeming to fare up, suddenly extinguished.
soon smoke appeared. and 1t apparent that
the boat was fire. The chief engineer testified
'hat he was on watch and flash of light
along the ceiling of the main deck. At the same
une the electric lights were put out. He stopped
lhe engine and making ready the fire pump.
dered the crew 10 the fire hose It seems that
the hre spread rapidly but that the discipline on
poaro was good 1t is thought that seven persons
Were suffocated by smoke and thus unable to
escape. The inspectors report:
The cause of the fire we have been unable TO def
nlteiy oeIerInine, although the engineer. Robert NJ
through defect in the electric lighting plant or
wiring near the engine room the starboard side
In conclusion would say that when con-
sdertng all the evidence taken in the case the
licensed officers did all that could be expected of
of all on board, and made every possible effort to
arouse and rescue those whose lives said to
have seen lost, and we exonerate them from all
blame in the matter.
In additional statement Mr. Mersereau says:
1t seems right to mention one man who deserves
special notice. l refer the chief engineer Rob
grasp of the situation and foresight together with
the prompt action at a critical moment made it
possible that all the later efforts others
not in vain
Captain Ira Harris, the supervising inspector
praises the engineer in letter to the Steamboat
Inspection Service, in which he declares:
The right to criticise is undoubted and believe
the right to commend should be the same In this
case would esteem II privilege officially
mend the action OF Chief Engineer Layman. The
prompt action Of the chief engineer necessary
TO save the lives Of the people on board Had he
waited long enough to have started the fire pump
or to receive orders from the pilot house, there
would have been no survivors. He violated all
rules, and his presence of mind in recognizing the
emergency as higher than the rule I think worthy
of the highest commendation.
This is said TO be the first time that the Super
vising Inspectors office has gone record IS
prasing a for the violation of any rules as
promulgated by the Steamboat Inspection Service
Captain Harris is in Washington, and it is ex-
pected that he will bring before the board of
supervising inspectors the question of the cleo
trical inspection of vessels. but official record
appears in his report.