Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-07
THE VALENCIA WRECK
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.

In view of the Importance and serious
nature of this disaster and the great loss
of life attendant upon 1t and or the ques-
tions raised as to the conduct or various
licensed officers of vessels OF the steam
boat inspection service, and the cohoitioii
of the Washington coast and AIDS TO ha'i
CATION thereon, the Secretary or commerce
and Labor. pursuant to the direction of the
President has appointed a special comnis-
sion of inquiry upon this entire SUBJECT
composed of Lawrence o. Murray, assist
ant secretary of commerce and labor Hef-
bert Knox Smith, deputy commissioner ol
CORPORATIONS, and Capt. William L. BurweA,
L. s. N, commandant Puget Sound navy
yard, Capt Burwell having been detalieo
by the Secretary of the Navy to service
in the Department of Commerce and La
Dor for such purpose.
Mr.. Murray, who will be the chairman OF
said commission, and Mr. Smith, who will
be the secretary thereof, were both mem
beers of the United States commission or
investigation into the disaster or the steam
er General Siocum, and are thoroughly cog
infant with the general subject matter ana
work of the steamboat Inspection service.
The said commission has been instructed
to proceed a once to Seattle, WASH, 10
take up there this inquiry as set forth III
the following order to the respective mem
"Sir. Pursuant to the direction of the
President dated February Z, 1906, you are
hereby instructed to proceed at once 10
Seattle, Wash, and there ana IN mat VI
cinity in company with Capt. William L.
Burweil U. S. N, commandant of Puget
Sound navy yard, and~ Herbert Knox smith,
deputy commissioner of corporations make
thorough and complete investigation or All
the circumstances attending the wreck OF
the steamer Valencia. and to. inquire into
the cause or causes thereof, and into any
misconduct, negligence or dereliction OF
duty on the part of any one related thereto
and having any bearing on the loss. OF Ire
occasioned by said disaster.
You will also, as your discretion dc
tates, take up and investigate such other
matters bearing upon the safety OF trafffc
upon the navigabie waters OF the United
States adjoining the coast of Washington
and the Strait of Juan de F'uca and the
entrance thereof, together with the par
ticular points of danger to such tramc
presented by such waters. and the question
of the sufiicieney and effectiveness OF the
present lighthouses. fog signals and Ire
saving stations and of other aids to navi-
CATION along said waters.
Upon all the matters so considered by
you, you will make full report. accompany
ing such report by recommendations Tor
such departmental or legislative action as
you may deem to be required by your find
ings for the better protection of life and
property concerned in such traffic.
Respectfully yours
"V. II. METCALF. Secretary.
Mr. Murray and Mr.. Smith will leave
Washington tomorrow. expecting to arrive
In Seattle February II, and to begin the
work of the investigation there on the 18th.
The local inspectors at Seattle have been
instructed by telegraph to prepare accom-
modations for tile hearings and to have
ready all the testimony. evidence and ex-
hibits produced at the inquiry OF the local
inspectors.
As Indicated by the above order. this in
vestfgation will cover not only the ques-
ton OF the conduct of licensed officers of
vessels ON the Valencia, Queen. Topeka
and others connected with the disaster. and
the relations OF the steamboat inspection
service thereto. but also the general man.
arement OF the Valencia, her equipment
and operation and the relation OF her own
er. the Pacifc Coast Steamship Company,
to the disaster, and also the conditions OF
this coast and Of the entrance tc the Strait
81 Juan de Fuca and the vicinity OF the
Mace OF the wreck. with q view TO the
suf1ciency OF the present aids to naviga-
ton In that vicinity. and any needed Ina
nroyements that may be found to be es-
sentfal for the safety OF trafilc.
| This commission Will examine all avail
able witnesses. and the completeness Of tts
work win depend upon securing compre-
hensaye testimony covering tails entire dig
asfer and all thu facts related thereto.