The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-06-14

enough for the coxswain who was
steering the craft 10 see ahead.


steering the craft 10 see ahead.
The crash is supposed to have been
SO sudden that not even the coxswain
had time to jump through the open
ing. -
No information is yet obtainable in
Norfolk as to the identity of the tug
and coal barge which is said to have
struck the launch and caused the &C
cident.
1t is not yet positively known
whether the tug wera outward Or in
ward bound or that the tug knew what
/ she struck.
The only baTges that reached New
port News Monday night, after having
passed through Hampton Roads, were
the Annie and Gwennie, which arriv-
ed in tow of the tug Eureka. The
officers and crew Of the Eureka say
positively that their boat was not
the one that struck the Minnesota's
launch and that they knew absolute
ly nothing about the affair.
From the Jamestown exposition
grounds it was announced that officers
coming ashore from the fleet reported
that an excursion steamer, with pas
sengeTS out to witness the illumination
of the Warships in Hampton Roads
Monday night, had on returning from
Norfolk struck an unknown object in
the roads, the object having no light
Of any kind upon it. It is believed that
it was the Minnesota's launch that
was cut down and sunk.
Supervising inspector of steam YES
sells CAST said today that all the ex-
cursiOn steamers which went out from
this port Monday night to view the
illumination of the fleet in Hampton
Roads had come in from the roads
before the Minnesota's launch left
Discovery landing at the jamestown
exposition pier and he therefore does
not believe that any one of them
could have run down the Minnesota's
launch.
Inspector CAST expresses the belief
that the launch was not in a coIlis-
ion but was overturned by a heavy
set and the occupants thus drowned
The battleship Minnesota will not
sail tomorrow with the rest of the fleet
which is scheduled to leave then,
but will remain in Hampton Roads
for some little time yet.
At the exposition grounds it was
said that Rear Admiral Harrington
and his aide, Lieutenant Woodward,
both announced that they had no Of
fetal information concerning the cause
IF the Minnesota's launch disaster.
Throughout the day and up to a
late hour tonight under the direction
Of the officers of the fleet the bottom
of Hampton Roads was dredged by the
sailors, in the hope OF bringing up ad-
ditlOnal evidence of the launch disas-
ter of Monday night. Beyond the can
vas canopy and coat and cap, al
ready reported there was no results.
While it is understood that an inves-
tigatiOn has been ordered no arrange
ments have been perfected for it and
no statement has been made as to it's
trend. In fact, it is admitted that un-
ess some clue is secured Indicating
who was responsible for the accident
that the investigation will be use
less.
In the maritime circles it is not be-
Iieved that any steamer or vessel that
.Ouled the launch is not aware OF it.
The night was rough, a drizzling rain
and imperfect light or the launch are
believed to be responsible.
Admiral Evans admitted today that
there could be no further question
hat the disaster occurred. The find
ing of the portion OF the canopy Of |
the launch went down and all on
confirmed to him the supposition that |
he launcvh went down and all on
)Card were lost.
While Virginia day was participated |
n, in order not to break the program |
arranged in advance, the navy officers !
lave declined all new invitations |;
o participate in festivities and cele- |
'rations and the ball game between |
he army and navy, scheduled for this |
afternoon was called Off