The San Francisco call., 1909-12-02
St. CROIx' CAPTAIN
FULL SAYS SEAMAN
Witness at Federal Inquiry Tes-
tifies That Warner Acted
Like a Crazy Man
Quartermaster and Passengers
Declare Officers Were Not
Drunk on Burning Ship

II saw the captain rushing about
swearing and cursing both passengers
and crew, acting like crazy man that
was full.
II saw the captain drinking, with
bottle in one hand and revolver in
the other. and cursing everybody be-
tween drinks.
"The captain told the third officer he
would kill him if he landed first
The captain was surely full, al
though able to stand up"
Such were some of the statements
made by Patrick J. Corrigan, seaman,
yesterday before the United States in
spectors of hulls and boilers, O.. F.
Bolles and John X. Bulger, at the in
vestigation to place the responsibility
for the recent st. Croix disaster
MARSHAL SENT FOR WITNESS
1t was necessary to send deputy
United States marshal to the Sailors
home TO bring Corrigan before the
board He admitted that while he was
on the vessel he had trouble with Cap
tain Warner, but maintained that his
testimony was not due to animosity.
Corrigan denied that he had stated
in Los Angeles that he knew how the
fire started. He had no theory or ex-
| planation to offer on that point. but
was inclined to think that not sufficient
energy had been expended by the Off
GERS and crew in an attempt to extin-
guish the names. Corrigan's testimony
was followed by that of John Peters,
| cir ~ or nf the C-r0iX who
was also accredited with having made
statements in Los Angeles regarding
the origin of the fire.
DENIES CAPTAIN WAS DRUNK
Peters was unable, to account for the
origin of the fire and denied that he
had said that probably the vessel was
| set on fire. II also took the assistance
of the United States marshal's office to
| bring Peters before the board of in
quiry. His reason for not appearing
was rather vague. Finally there was
drawn from him by Inspector BuIger
an incoherent and disjointed statement
that he did not like to testify against
his captain. This excuse, however, was
followed by the declaration that he
knew nothing against Captain Warner,
! had never seen him take drink, that
he was sober and had done everything
possible TO save the passengers and his
! vessel.
James F. Wilson of Chicago. a pas
senger, saw no drinking. In his judg-
ment Captain Warner did everything
to save the St Croix. Wilson had no
idea how the fire originated and had no
criticism for the officers and crew.
SUSPICIOUS OF PASSENGERS
Wilson. after landing. had heard
passengers say the fire looked
strange" to them: and some made bold
to say that on account of the calm
sea and nearness to shore, an oppor-
tunity had been taken to burn the yes
sci. This evidence was disallowed on
| account of t being hearsay and con-
clusions drawn by others. Wilson
could not remember the names of the
passengers who made these statements.
A. F. White of Rochester, N. Y,
testified that he had no criticism to
make on the officers and men. He
said that when the smoke was dis
covered the crew seemed a little un-
concerned; one of the seamen was
singing and another said in an Off
hand way, You would think some
thing was wrong" Nobody. accord
ing to White, was intoxicated.
HOSE PLAYED ON FIRE
Seguard Nicholson, water tender
on the St Croix, was in the engine
Although some witnesses testified
there was no water in the fire hoses,
Nicholson said he saw the pumps
started and a full stream came from
the hose he handled. He could offer
no explanation for the fire. He de-
MED having said in Los Angeles that
the st. CFoix was set afire. He had
seen nothing suspicious.
SEAMEN's STATEMENTS READ
w. X. Day. a jeweler of III Market
street, who says that he lost $4,000
in sample jewelry by the fire, read to
the board statements said to have
been made and signed In Los Angeles
by Corrigan and Peters. The state
ments said that Captain Warner was
drinking in the small boats after leav-
ing the burning vessel and was drunk
on shore Peters denied that part of
! his statement, while Corrigan main
| tanned it was true. Corrigan allowed
his statement to be read into the rec
| ord of the investigation. M
Day said that he had obtained the
| statements in the hope of being reim-
bursed for his loss by bringing action
against the steamship company and
the matter was now in the hands of
| his attorney An adjournment was
| taken until l o'clock this afternoon.