Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-06-15
NEWPORT NEWS, VA, SATURDAY, JUNE Is, 1907.
MISSING LAUNCH FOUND
AT THE BOT ON OF ROADS

Captain Mahan seemed to he great
~ distressed over the tragedy, which
has cast a gloom over the entire
fleet and put an end to any plans
for festivities aboard the rships.
Awning Frame Crushed.
After a second examination of the
wreck. the diver reported that the
canopy frame was crushed. hut that
the canvas canopy was still Intact
and tightly fastened on all sides. and
The hui cI the little craft iii net
seem to be damaged at all.
This bears out the theory that the
launch was run down by float or
barge in tow of Il tug. as the hull
must have been damaged had the
,rat been struck by tug or any
other such vessel.
a gale of wind was blowing and
rain was falling in torrents when the
launch started from Discovery Land
ing for the fleet. The canvas cover
was down on all sides. with only Il
loop hole through which the man at
the wheel peerad. Under these con
ditions, it would have been easy for
i float 10 have come upon the lauren
nnawarcs. especially If the float was
not carrying proper lights.
1t seems probable that the launch
ran into and was caught under tow
line. swept back against the broad.
slanting bow of float. and literally
mashed under the water.
N. Y. p. & N. Float Passed.
1t is stated upon reliable authority
that New York, Philadelphia and
Norfolk yug pnd carfloau passed
through Hampton Roads. bound from
Cape Charles for Norfolk. about the
time the tragedy occurred. The nIG
and float arrived ut Norfolk at 2
o'clock Tuesday morning.
The Navy Department has request
ed the n. Y. p. & n Company To ac-
count for the movements of its ves.
sells Monday night and Tuesday
morning. This account is awaited
with considerable interest.
Investigation to Be Ordered.
An investigation will he ordered by
the Navy Department at once. 1t is
understood that Il Loard of inquiry
will he directed TO Investigate, and
If this board reports thnt there Is
reason to believe that anyone has
been guilty of criminal negligence or
other offense the attorney general
will be notified and proceedings will
be instituted in the Federal Courts.
No move can be made. however
until the launch has been raised and
n thorough examination made
Caskets Sent from Norfolk.
Rear Admiral Emory tonight or
dercd eleven caskcts from Norfolh,
TO be brought to the Roads early III
the morning by one of the naval
tugs.
1t is understood that the bodies
of the drowned men will be taken
aboard the battleship Minnesota and
kept there until the relatives can be
communicated with.
Followed Correct Theor.
The officers in charge of the search
for the launch followed n theory
that proved to he well founded It
was supposed that when the boat
left Discovery landing, it made for
the battleship Connecticut to put
Midshipman iIolcomb aboard that
vessel, to which he belonged
1t was further believed that TIE
tragedy occurred somewhere between
the point where launches returning
from the Exposition turn into the
main channel. and the spot where
the hat;leship Connecticut had lteen
anchored. Both of these suppositions
seem to have been correct, as the
sunken boat was found on the line
laid out for dragging.