Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-28
White Star Line Counsel
Sends Out Notices
For Passengers TO Forward
Inventories Of Effects.
Capt. FenIon Says He Could Have
Saved the Republic.


White Star Line sent out notifications
today to all the passengers of the Re-
public to forward to them as soon as
possible inventories of the baggage ana
other effects they had with them on
board the Republic. The circulars said
that the claims would form part OF the
principal claims to be made against
the LloydItalan Line.
Capt Sealby and several of his Of
ficers made dispositions to the White
Star Lines counsel late today. At the
conclusion of the conference in the
lines office, Capt. Sealby said that he
would at once draw up an official re-
port of the disaster. The report, it is
understood, will not become public UNI
til read in court
At st. Vincent's hospital it was said
that Mrs. NJ. f. Murphy of Grand
Forks, n. d., who was injured in the
collision between the Republic and the
Florida, was out of danger.
Captain Sealby and Operator Rinns.
with the rest OF the officers and crew
of the wrecked steamer Republic, VINO
arrived here on the Seneca, were to-
day making the most of the opportu-
nity to obtain much needed rest. with
their reports of the disaster secured.
the agents of the company here began
to busy themselves with plans for
sending abroad as many OF the Repup-
lies passengers as wish to continue
tEnir interrupted trip. 1t was thought
that a majority would adhere to their
original purpose Some Of these Will
go bv the Romantic, which will leave
Boston Saturday. Her schedule, it was
stated, had been so arranged that 1t
will be identical with that originally
mapped out for the Republic. Others
NAV leave here Saturday on the Baltic
for Liverpool there to be transferred
to another ship for the Mediterranean.
4 The opinion of Captain Thomas
Fenlon of the Whaleback steamer CITY
of Everett that he could have towed
the steamer Republic into place
where she could have been beached If
Capt. Sealby had accepted an OTTER OIL
help, was today communicated to the
office of the White Star Line. wee
President P. S. A. Franklin of that line
said that the matter would be taken
up when the collision Of the Republic
with the Florida is investigated by the
line.
The information concerning the City of
Everetts offer of help was sent by Cap
tain Fenlon from Philadelphia to -. j..
1Iallenback, manager of the marine de-
partment of the Standard Oil Co., III
whose service the whaleback is employed
Captain Fenlons statement was to the
effect that he was in communication with
the Republic at A. NJ Saturday, the
day of the collision. and reached the
damaged liner at so O'Clock that night.
Captain Fenlon added that he offered to
take off the passengers and baggage frohi
the Republic but that Capt Sealby de-
clined the offer Captain Fenlon added
that he could have beached the Republic
on the shore of Martha's Vineyard.
Mr.. Hallenbeck said the wireless in
structions were sent to Capt. Fenlon to
stand by the Republic, to which Capt.
Fenlon replied that he had done so for
"A hours.
Replying to questions as to whether the
assertion of representatives of the Italian
Line that the Republic was running At
high speed at the time of the collision
were correct. Mr.. Franklin said:
The Republic was not running at high
speed"
AS to the speed of the Florida, Mr..
Franklin said the rent in the side of the
Republic was the best evidence
The International Mercantile Marine
Co.. owners of the White Star Line, made
public today resolutions passed by It's
board of directors regarding the disas-
ter. The skill and matchless bravery
displayed by the officers and crews of the
.t..- ,f,,,r fr,
imminent danger every imperlled passen-
GER is praised and admiration expressed
for 1.-THE valiant service rendered and un-
daunted spirit shown by officers and
crew in the face of extreme peril.
The ''unwritten law in the marine
world that the captain Of ship is SUI
preme commander of his vessel when he
leaves port will not be modified by the
fact that the wireless system keeps him
in constant communication with officials
of the company. This question has been
raised since the loss of the Republic be-
cause practically all action taken by the
several ships engaged in the accident fol-
lowed wireless communications to their
company officers
Speaking of the new question, Vice
President Franklin of the White Star
Co. said today:
THE ships captain will ever be sole
and absolute in authority in the naviga-
ton of his vessel no matter whether he
is in communication by wireless with the
home office or not. We could direct the
captain to change his port of destination
by wireless or order some change with
regard to preparations to load baggage,
but as to navigation, that is a matter for
the captain.
I'VE might suggest some move in the
case of of accident, but the captain has
full right to adopt or disregard the sug
gestion as he sees fit.
1.-The captain is responsible for his ship
nj r,he he, is in