New-York tribune., 1908-04-29
no ONE BL1UED.
Tcrdict on Collision BctzCfen the st.
Paul and the Gladiator.

Yarmouth. April 2s-A coroner's jury, compris-
ing among others Sir Henry Earle foreman;
Captain Alexander. who PLAYED important part
in the work of rescue and three ex-raval captains
after hearing the evidence of the captains Of the
American Line steamship ST. Paul and the cruiser
Gladiator, respectively. which were in colilsloa IN
the Solent on Saturday and other witnesses. to-
day brought in a verdict declaring that nobody
crfmfnaIIy blame for the loss of life. This
inquiry however. does not entirely settle the ques-
tiOn to whether any one was actually to blame
for the collision, which question will be minutely
investigated the martial TO be held on the
loss of the Gladiator.
AS the explained after the conclusion OF
the evidence. which disclosed discrepancy Of
views a to whether the Gladiator gave one or two
siren blasts, the men died result OF what un-
doubtedIy accident. The other question. he
/ said, would be serious
Captain Iumsden was the first important witness,
and testified as how the collision occurred. tie
said he the bridge Of the Gladiator when
/ he the St Paul approaching, atout Eai d
mile away The St. Paul TO pert. and Cap-
tain Lumsden starboarded the helm of the Gladl-
ator to pass the liner. The captain said he did
not hear any blast the siren OF the St. Paul,
but he observed that she swinging TO port
reported him. he said. that the liner had
given Two blasts indicating that she was putting
. her helm to starboard. He ordered that the Gadi-
ator's starboard helm be eased. intending TO pass
the liner the starbOard side. Asked oS tAe
coroner why had decided pass the St PAU
on the starboard side. Captain L4umsden said ne
would prefer not to answer. as he had made con-
hdential report the Admiralty on TINS point
Continuing captain said the liner struck the
Gladiator just abaft Of the forward end OF 'he
after stokehold. At the time of the impact ne OF
dered his engines stop and then go astern- ms
order vas carried out When across the st Fauis
bows Captain Lunsden hailed some on on board.
saving If you Will go astern and clear me VII
90 ahead" This the St Paul did, and the Gladla-
tor was swept rapidly by the wind and the tlde 10
Sconce Point. where she grounded
Captain Passow. commander Of the 81 FauI'
testified that he was with the pilot on the bridge
of his steamer and that he had an officer IN the
lookout in the bows After passing Yarmouth
he Went at haIfspeed in accordance with the Ad-
miraIty regulations This would be ten KNOTS
Suddenly a heavy snow sQuall came up. ana
vessel was reported ahead. He believed she vas
from a quarter to half mile OF ON the port
quarter. He stopped the engines and then heaFd
one blast. indicating the direction of a course to
starboard He answered the blast and put his
engines full speed astern. and the helm hard
aport. Then noticing that the cruiser was clos
ing upon him. apparently on the starbOard tack
he put his engines full speed astern as We'll
Directly the collision occurred he stopped both
engines Tie responsibility. he said would rest
with the pilot until they passed Hurst Castle
After the impact. and As quickly as possible he
ordered the engines SLOW ahead in the hope of
filling the gap and keeping the vessel af0at. but
being hailed by officer the cruiser to go
asteru ne complied. and ordered his boats out
Five boats lowered within seventeen min
utes of the collision, and he stood by until all
the survivors had been rescued. Captain Passow
gave il as his opinion that the collision would
have occurred had the rules OF the road been
observed They we're steering the course they
steered every month. The boats of the company.
he said. were examined by Board Of Trade officials
before they left Southampton.
At the close of the evidence the coroner said
that he thought the jury would agree that there
criminal responsibility attaching to any
one as all orders had been carried out and there
was no officer either vessel who
for duty