The San Francisco call., 1908-10-04
ACCUSES CAPTAINS
OF MANSLAUGHTFR
Shippers Who Deserted the Star
of Bengal to Be Charged
With COwardice
Local Inspectors Conclude Hear
ing and Prosecutions in
Alaska May Follow

AS result of the inquiry into the
causes for the terrible loss OF life at
the time the bark Star of Bengal was
wrecked on the rocky shore Of Coro-
nation island the masters of the
steamers which were towing the sail
ing vessel will in all probability face
charges of manslaughter While he
would make no positive statement yes
terday for publication Captain Wag-
ner. who was ? in charge OF the
wrecked vessel intimated that he
would file affidavits charging Captain
George ,Farrar and Captain Hamilton
with rank cowardice, which under mer-
itirne law is classed as manslaughter.
The taking of testimony in regard
to what happened previous to and at
the time of the wreck was concluded
before Inspectors Bolles and Bulger
yesterday morning. In all material
points the witnesses corroberated the
testimony of the captain and Seamen
who testified FridayA The matter
has been taken under advisement by
the inspectors.
CORROBoRATE THE CAPTAIN
Francis Muir, David Wilson, Gus
johnson, Olaf Hansen, George John
son, Andrew Olson and Laas Kaup,
members Of the crew of the Star of
Bengal, were on the stand yesterday
and told practically the same story
as did Captain Wagner. All of the
men testified that they had been fol-
lowing the sea for a number of years
and that in their judgment the mas
ter Of the bark did everything pos
sible to save his vessel and the lives
of his crew. They also agreed in the
statement that the towing steamers
light in which TO pass a line to the
doomed vessel and take of all hands
on board.
Captain Wagner and Mate Johnson
were recalled and asked unimportant
questions, after which the inspectors
announced that they would take the
matter under advisement.
During the taking of testimony a
letter from J. r. Hickman, superin-
tendent Of the Alaska Packers asso-
citation at Ketchikan. was read. This
communication stated that although q
rumor had been current to the effect
that the captains of the towing steam
ers did not act in harmony. it was not
true. 1t went on to say that Captain
Farrar Of the Hattie Gage was in
charge of the tow. and everything was
done subject to his orders. Mate
Wilkie of the Kayak stated to Hick-
man that it was Impossible to do any
more to save the people than was
done.
WILL CHARGE COWARDICE
When asked for a statement at the
conclusion of the hearing Captain
Wagner said he had nothing to say
for publication. but intimated that
he would file affidavits charging Far
rar and Hamilton with cowarGtce
Wagner has been discharged from
the employ of the association because
OF the loss Of ahe vessel
Captain J. F. Moser,s general su-
perintendent of the association. who
was an attentive listener throughout
the hearing, stated that the company
valued the vessel at $4,000 and the
cargo at 1927, 600.
Captain John Birmingham, super
vising inspector of steamboats, of the
first district, said yesterday that if
charges. were filed against the masters
of the steamers he would probably as
sign them for hearing to the jurisdic-
tion in which they were found. which
probably will be Juneau. Alaska
If neglect or eowardice is proved
against the masters of the steamers
they will be liable to a fine of $4,000
or to serve 10 years in the penitentiary
at hard labor