The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-12
Comm ander Of Nan
tucket Hears Johnson's
Version of Disaster.
BERRY is CHARGED
WITH NEGLIGENCE
Inquiry Is Being Conducted by
Inspectors of Steam Vessels at
Philadelphia-Accused Mas
ter Pleads Not Guilty-Only
One Witness Is Exam
ined During Day.

Philadelphia, Pa, February l1.-Cap-
tain Osmyn Berry, commander Of the
steamship Nantucket. charged with
negligence in the recent collision with
the steamship Monroe, off the Virginia
Coast, in which forty -onc lives were
lost. to-day listened to Captain Ed
ward +. Johnson, Of the sunten Mon
roe. give his version of that disaster
before the local United States inspcc-
tors OF steam vessels, who will deter
mine who was responsible for the ac-
cidcnt. Captain Johnson was on the
stand all day.
As In the Titantic disaster, 1t is ex-
pected that the inquiry will result In
certain changes being made with re-
lation to the navigation of vessels. at
least In the coastwise trade. While
primarily Captain Berry is on trial
the board of inspectors has instructions
from the Department OF Commerce to
make thorough inquiry into every
phase of the collision. with the view
OF the enactment of Federal laws 70
assist in preventing recurrence of
similar disasters.
Captain Berry when confronted to-
day BY the charges brought by the
government steamboat inspectors at
Norfolk. pleaded not guilty. lie is
charged with failing to reduce the
speed of his ship to avoid the colli-
sion; falling TO ascertain whether the
wireless operator was on duty, and
with being careless in not ascertain
ing. through the wireless operator.
whether any other vessels were close
by in the fog
Compass Not Adjusted.
One of the most important points
brought out In the examinations Of Cap
tain Johnson, who was the first wit
ness. was that he nariGated the Mon
roe with steering compass that de-
waited as much as degrees from the
standard magnet compass. He said the
instrument was sufficiently true to run
the ship, and that ii was the custom OF
masters IN the ccastwise trade TO use
such compasscs.
His steering compass, Captain John
son testified. had never been adjusted
In the one year he was master of the
Monroe.
The Monroes captain told the story
Of the collision, and was eXhaustively
examined by the steamboat Inspectors.
tie said the night of the collision was
alternately clear and foggy.
The collision occurred during n fog.
The first knowledge he had that the
Nantucket was near him was when he
heard whistle three points on the
starboard bow He was running at
half speed 1T tho time. and stopped his
engine 10 locate the other shin. and
sci know that he was steering to port.
lie judged the whistle was about 375
feet away.
Vessels In Collision.
Captain Johnsons second knowledge
of the proximity of a vessel was when
he saw faint light. four points to
starboard, and about $40 feet away, he
said. He believed the other vessel
Was going in the opposite direction
to him on a parallel line, but mo-
ment later the ship came out OF the
fog almost at right angles, and struck
the Monroe on the starbonrd side aft
of the pilot house.
After he discovered the proximity OF
the Nantucket. Captain Johnson said he
signalled full steam ahead. and turned
his vessel to port. In the hope OF re-
ceiving only 4 glancing blow. as he
realized n collision could not be avoid
ed. Captain Johnson said there was a
lapse of only two minutes between the
time he heard the Nantucket's first
whistle and tho collision.
Captain Johnson detailed the duties
of each member of the crew, from the
first officer down to the stewards At
the time OF the collision he had had no
sleep for nineteen hours. He said he
could have gone to sleep before the
Monroe left Norfolk for New York,
but did not think 1t necessary
''ai1iDSt VI liH'SS. iiC lpFliHeu' Ht
remained in the pilothouse all the way
from Norfolk to New York.
Questioned as to what action he took
to find out through the wireless opera
tor the proximity OF other vessels, Cap
tain Johnson said he had instructed the
operator to ascertain the location rf
tho steamer Hamilton, which he knew
was coming down the coast. This ves-
sol was located near the Delaware
Capes.
Presence Not Made Known.
Tho Nantucket must have pccn be-
tween the Hamilton and the Monroe,
Captain Johnson said, but tho operator
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