New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-15
HEARING ON COLLISION.
United States Inspectors Question
Cre1o of the Harry Kno1CltOn.

New London. Conn. Feb. 14-United States
Steamboat Inspectors William Whitney and John
Stewart examined the four members of the
schooner Harry Knowltons crew who were on
watch Monday night at the time the schooner ran
into the steamer Larchmont. The four members
of the crew examined were Captain Frank T.
Haley. of Everett, Mass: Mate Frank Govant
of st. John, n. B.. and Seamen Carl Victor John
son, of Christiania Norway and Julius Boryer-
sen, of Sweden. Their testimony did not differ
in any essential detail. and they all united in
telling of a strange steamer which approached
within mile after the collision and then headed
the other way and passed up the Sound.
The hearing was called for this morning, but
the men were unable to get to Westerly, r. l.,
from the Quonochontaug lifesaving station until
mid -afternoon, ands nearly two hours were re-
CURED to get them to this city by trolley. The
hearing lasted from late this afternoon to we'll
into the evening. The witnesses were questioned
by Inspector Whitney in the main, although In
spector Stewart asked several questions
The inspectors went into much detail in or
der to establish all Of the facts in the case. and
an enormous amount Of testimony was sub
mitted.
Captain Haley was the first witness examined.
and his evidence in regard to the schooner's
course was practically the same as that given
by him yesterday in his sworn statement 10
Inspector Whitney. He said it beautiful
night and vessels lights We're visible a distance
of a mile two. Captain Haley in his
cabin when he heard Mate Govant ask the
lookout how the lights were. This struck him
as peculiar and he went on deck and inquired
what the answer was He was informed that
the lookout had replied that the lights were all
right and then his attention called to the
approaching steamer. In support OF the state
ment about the lights Captain Haley said that
he knew that the green one at least was burn
ing at the time OF the collision because it burned
until some time Wednesday.
When he saw the light Of the steamer it was
red. and not more than 100 yards away. It was
a point or a point and a half on the starboard
bow. The green light invisible but the
white lights OF the steamer could be made out
He took a second look and saw that It was a
steamer. He then ordered the man at the wheel
10 keep her her course as she was and re-
ceived a reply that she was on her course. Cap
tain Haley believed that tho course OF the
schooner was not changed from that time till
the time OF the collision
Finally Captain Haley said he the nose OF
the steamer cross the bow OF his vessel. At the
same time he heard a whistle signal from the
steamer and then the crash came. AS soon
the vessels drifted apart he waved a lantern for
help but the steamer kept on her course. An
other vessel, evidently n steamer. was observed.
with both her red and green lights showing. in
dicating that she headed for the schooner
10 give help but when the stranger had ap-
preached within a mile her green light only
showed and she headed up the Sound again
No more calls for aid were sent out from the
schooner.
The Knowlton was headed FOR the beach. and
the men stuck 10 her until she was half full Of
water, and then took to the boat and headed for
the beach Three-quarters Of an hour later the
schooner went aground.
To Inspector Stewart Captain Haley denied
that there any danger OF his schooner hav-
ing waved" from her course with any such con-
ditons as he has described.
Mate Govant was then sworn. and told OF his
experiences in manner to corroborate the
testimony OF the captain. The schooner was
practically unmanageable after the collision he
said
Carl Victor Jonson. who was at the helm when
the collision took place, told his story He il
not acquainted in Long Island Block Island
sounds, he said. He took the wheel at l o'clock,
relieving the lookout. The course was then
east by south. and it made east and then
changed to east by north.
At the captains ORDERS after the steamer
lights were seen. he kept the schooner on her
course until the vessels came together and then
he abandoned the wheel because the mate or
dered all hands to get the boat ready. He con-
tinued with corroborative testimony relating
the actions Of the crew till the schooner was
abandoned.
julius Boryensen told Of being lookout on the
night of the collision and sighting the steamers
lights. His testimony did not differ materially
from that OF his companions. He told OF sight
ing the strange steamer after the collision. both
OF whose lights visible but which finally
turned so that only her green lights showed as
she bore up the Sound.
Al the close Of his testimony the hearing was
adjourned.