Mexico Missouri message., 1914-02-05
CARELESSNESS CAUSED 40 TO
Die AT SEA, CAPTAIN CHARGES
o. S. Authorities Investigate Cause Of Collision Between the
Steamers Monroe and Nantucket Off Norfolk, W. Va.

NOTlOlh, Nds-bttldIlu thc iOSo VI
hib vessel was due to the carelesness
OF the commander of the steamer
Nantucket. Capt. Johnson OF the
steamer Monroe filed a suit against
the Nantucket, claiming a million dol
lars damages. Action was filed In the
United States district court and pa
pers served on officials OF the Mer-
chants and Miners transportation
company, owners of the Nantucket, at
Norfolk and Baltimore.
In his complaint Capt. Johnson al
leges that the Monroe was proceeding
ct half speed or less before the acct
dent, and had laid to after hearing fog
whistles. He says the Nantucket came
upon him at such speed that a col
nsion was unavoidable, although he
had ordered his ship ahead at full
speed to avoid the blow.
The complaint says the financial
damage cannot be stated with accur.
acy at this time. but fixes the amount
at 100000 upon information and
belief"
carelessness Is Charged.
The complaint specifically charges
that the accident was due solely to
the carelessness, negligence and faulty
navigation of those on board of and
in charge OF the steamer Nantucket"
Wireless Operator +. l.. Etherldge
OF the Monroe said that one boat
launched from the Monroe saved 2S
lives and went back for second load
after transferring her passengers to
the Nantucket. Capt. johnson was in
this boat.
1--WE picked up Mr. and Mrs. Har-
rington." said Etheridge. but the lat
ter died before we reached the Nan
tucket. We also picked up the body
OF a man. believe It was that OF
Lieut.. Curtis. We had two women in
our boat.
I'VE tried to launch two boats, but
one OF them was swamped. We could
not launch the starboard boats, as the
ship careened to that side.
81 sent out 8. o. s. call Just be-
fore the ship went down. remained
| in the radio room until our current
was cut on Then l followed Capt
Johnson into the lifeboat. Neither OF
us was in the water at any time.
Capt. Johnson remained in the life.
boat until everybody we could find
had been placed on board the Nan
tucket."
Captain Tells His Version.
Capt. johnson tells the following
story OF the collision in his com
plant:
AT about 1929 o'clock, approx
mately. ships time, fog signal Of one
blast of whistle from a steamer was
heard. 1t seemed to be about 3 points
on the starboard bow. The engines
of the Monroe were Immediately
stopped, and remained stopped fol
about a minute, when a bright, light
was observed about points on the
starboard bow.
las soon as this light was observed
two whistles were blown by the Mon
roe and her vessel was put hard {
starboard. The engines We're put full
speed ahead. It was impossible, how
ever, TO avoid collision, and tn,
Nantucket, coming on struck the Mon
roe on her starboard side. just for
ward of her pilothouse, the collision
taking place in less than a minut,
after the Nantucket's light was frs
observed. A large hole was torn Il
the side of the Monroe below tn,
water line"
Federal investigation On.
The revised list OF victims and res
cued shows that of 40 persons who's
lives we're lost 10 we're passenger
and 81 members Of the crew. OF tn
90 persons saved, SO we're passenger
and GO members of the crew.
Federal investigation on instruction
from the department OF commerce q
Washington were begun at once.
The United States steamboat inspaC
tors will not make public their fnt
ings for some time.
Assistant Secretary Sweet OF the d.
partment OF commerce ordered
, sweeping inquiry into the causes an
circumstances that led to the collision
I The inquiry will be directed alon
| lHItt uiSilHCl llueS, as lOIlONS.
Whether the masters OF both vel
sells used every possible precaution {
prevent the tragedy, including a To-
speed Roadway and continual use c
fog horns.
Whether the terrible death rat
among the passengers OF the Monro
, was due in any way to lack of disc
pline among the wrecked ships crew
Whether the two vessels were
their proper positions prior to tn
collision"
The question Of a possible panic o
the part Of the crew is one TO whic
/, the federal authorities will diret
! their attention. Survivors, howeve
declare that little II any confusion fo
Getting Shallow.
Little Willie was taking his first trt