The San Francisco call., 1907-06-28
BIRMINGHAM DENOUNCEs
CAPTAIN FRANCKE FOR
! WRECK Of THE DAKOTA
Unparalleled Negligence"
Caused So, 100000 Loss,
Inspector Declares
MODIFIES PENALTY
License of Commander Is
! Suspended for Term OF
Eighteen Months

"The value Of the Dakota and her
lost cargo was more than three ana a
half millions of dollars. undoubtedly
the greatest financial loss by the
wreck of n vessel that ever occurred
anywhere.
alIeied negligence and unskfllfulness
on the part Of the appellant in navfgaf-
ing the Dakota on that occasion evil
dences degree of mentality border
ing on Insanity
San Francisco,s water front regards
this denunciation as the harshest ever
dealt out to a skipper whose ship had
gone ashore
The language is used by United
States Supervising Inspector John
Birmingham in the opinion he has
rendered on the appeal of Captain
Emil Francke of the Great Northern
liner Dakota made from the decision
delivered by Local Inspectors Bolles
and Bulger on the grounding of that
steamship on the shore of the Inland
sea. Japan. last March.
Inspectors Bolles and Bulger recon-
mended the suspension of Francke for
two and half years for his alleged
negligence. Birmingham modifies this
sentense for Is months and in the mean
time allows Francke to act as chief
mate. of ocean steamers should he be
able to secure a license.
Berminghams leniency in this re-
spect, however, is counterpoised by
the language of his decision
Besides the portions quoted, the
decision reads:
The weather was clear and there was plenty
OF sea room. The Dakota according to the testi-
mony of the appellant was shaping close courses
against two knot current to avoid a stronger
one and fishing boats off shore. No cross bear
1ngs appear TO have been taken in order to deter
mine the ships actual distance from the lana,
which the appellant testites to have been one
and half miles on its starboard beam. The
ship was steering about south, "a degrees west,
when 1t struck the reef, and about an hour later
1t was abandoned to its utter destruction, fort1-
his appeal that 1.-THE humiliation have endured.
as well as the deep regret that in consequence
has been felt by me- surely Is In itself sufhelent
torture for error in judgment imputed to me.
Since years ago had been in command of some
of the finest vessels afoat, and had never met
with any mishap until this wreck occurred
The owners of the lost Dakota and her cargo
are entitled to at least some commiseration.
Captain Francke's case is an extraordinary one
and, as far as / know, without precedent There
Is absence of any mitigating circumstances
whatever In his case, and he is deserving of
some measure of punishment. 1t would appear
unjust TO let him escape when the master of a
coasting steamer who hugs the land TO avoid
currents or strong winds and comes to grief by
grounding losing his vessel, is therefor sub
jected to a suspension or revocation OF his IL
eense
Therefore 1 hereby decree that no local board
of inspectors of steam vessels will be justified
in renewing the license as master of Emil
Francke inside of Is months from May Is, 1907.
Meanwhile, in lieu thereof in order that he
may not be deprived of earning his living by
local board would be justified in issuing to him
a license chief mate Of ocean steamers.