The San Francisco call., 1909-11-27
OILER DENIES
HE KNOWS WHY
VESSEL BURNED
Martin Nett Accused of Saying
He Could Solve Mystery of
the st. CrOix Fire
Inquiry by Federal Inspectors
Develops Praise for COur-
age of Captain Warner

The sensation that passengers on the
burned steamer ST Croix declare viii
be caused when the origin Of the fire
that destroyed that vessel is learned,
seemed on the point of developing in
the official investigation IF the acci-
dent by Federal inspectors Bulger and
BoIIes yesterday, when Martin Nett. an
oiler. was on the witness stand. Nett
was reported 10 have said that ne knew
The cause OF the FIRE This. however. he
denied. The inspectors received let
ter from Los Angeles two days ago in
which il was stated that Nett told sew
eral persons that be knew the fires
origin.
oILER ASSERTS IGNORANCE
John Bulger put the oiler through a
searching examination after he was
sworn but though Nett paled and ap-
peared highly nervous. he repeated that
he did not know anything concerning
the cause Of the fire or where it started,
and when Bulger put the straight oues-
tion 10 him he declared that he had not
stated in Los Angeles that he could
solve the FIRE mystery.
Thomas J. Curtin, one OF the passen-
gers. threw sidelight on the character
Of Captain Frederick Warner. hero Of
The wreck
We were out in the boats" Curtin
said when Warner leaned over the
side Of the steamer and called to us.
just ss he was about to leave the yes
sci. How are the babies2
F'lBe. ca plain I said.
Good, I've some milk here for the
kids" the ca plain shouted.
MILK GIVES THE BABIES
And he did have the milk. too. He
brought III up from the pantry, or some
where. and into his boat. Then he gave
ii out when we reached the beach
4 was over on the shore side of the
shin. where the little boat the captain
afterward left in was hanging Curtin
stated frankly. and went around on
the other side. where the regular big
Nfeboats were.
Miss Edith Chandler and Mrs Mar
garet T. Holmes, sisters were the only
women called to the stand during yes
terday's session Both of them praised
The courage and coolness OF Captain
Warner and declared that everything
possible was done for their safety and
eomfort
ENGINEER OVERCOME IN FIRE
Second Assistant Engineer Alexander
IT, Cramer introduced another element
or excitement into the oft told story or
The wreck by stating for the first time
that he was overcome while fighting
fhe fire. His comrades We're compelled
20 carry him out on deck. where he
lerIved after several minutes.
Captain Warner was the first Wit
ness called. His testimony was a frank
and ightforward story of the acci-
dent Warner could give no reason for
the fire and did not know where it
started. He was not acquainted with
the position of the electric wires about
The ship.
First officer Frank Mills. the next
witness told how he had been driven
out Of the second cabins three times
by smoke. Second officer b. Blekum
stated that he stayed with the fire
until the whistle blew the signals for
the small boats TO be lowered.
MYSTERY OVER PASSENGER
A mysterious passenger entered into
the testimony of Charles c. CIaggett,
one OF those who were on the ST. Croix.
Clsggett told of talking on the beach
with . passenger who said he lifted up
small hatch or something Of that ma
ture sunk in the second cabin floor
and saw smoke come up. This would
locate the fire in the steerage Clag-
Eett did not know the name of his in
fornsnt
Testimony was given by Chief Engi-
-er Charles J.. Lowe, William Angus
clover; Thomas Yates, a waiter:
-l-t Livingston. third assistant en-
Eineer. Frank Mills. third mate, and
~. Rossiter. second steward
If there is any criticism of the
whole matter" William Angus said. 1T
is Of the condition o. affairs that made
The FIRE possible-not the conduct of the
officers and crew after the fire started
Captain Louis Turner represented the
fire underwriters at the investigation.
which viii be continued this morning
1T 10 o'clock