The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-07-26
PANIC THE CAUSE OF BIG DISASTER,
 CAPTAIN ASSERTS

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 Chicago, July 2s.-capt Henry Pederson of the East1and agreed to be fntervfewed on the circumstances leading to the disaster. He is quoted verbatim as follows:
 Well, sir, we had a moonlight ex- cursion Friday night About 3 or 3:30 o'clock I backed up into dock. I got orders to back up at that time from the manager of the steamship lines, who lives in St. Joe. was told that our passengers for the trip would be on St. Joe steamship tickets. There were three custom house in- spectors at the gangway. Although we used to go out alone we had a tug to tow us past the State street bridge. where there is a sharp turn.''
 How much did.syou list before you. gave the order to stand lby2' 9 ( was asked.
 Not much. But. she listed to star board and she came back, and then she didn't list so very much; then she strengthened up all right. and I was going to send out the word to let go the line. She listed over, and hes itated. T had already given the sec ond mate orders to stand by and let go the stern lines
 Gives the Warning.
 4 sI gave the warning to stand by because she was Iistings and she kept on listing. The harDOT master was on the dock. He shouted. Are you ready, captain?' He wanted to throw the lines out. didn't start. I I thought she was to straighten up. but she shifted and I shouted Open the inside doors and let the people off. : This was to the crew.
 1 The passengers were panic stricken when T. uttered those words and it was all off. Before that time I didn't think there was any danger I at all''
 e. Were the tow lines on the tug at the time2 A. Yes. o. The tow lines were on the tug at the time she listed? A. Yes. sir she had lines on both ends-two lines forward and two lines aft.
 @. We're the lines taut A. No. 0. You had given the signal to go? 1 Az No, sir. @. Was the tug holding the lines taut after the EastIand listed? A. | @. It was then that you said. Open the doors and let the people out2',, Is that right? A. Yes.
 i No. What is the capacity of the Eastland? A. Our limit is 2.57o. in cluding the crew of about sixty.
 Ready to Start. ..Abcut 7:25 o'clock in the morn 1 Iing.s' the captain continued, tI went down from the bridge and rang up the marine telephone, The Eastland l is a twin screw and double engine. I ordered the crew to stand by be- cause we were loaded and ready to go and the crew answered back promptly, Stand by T gave the order to stand by and to be ready with the signals" - Q. Why did you give that order to be ready at the engines? A. To leave | the dock. It was pretty near time to l go. We had tug from down here l to tow us out. The harbor master was on the dock and asked me if 1 was ready She. listed more than I wanted her to-more than liked, and I hated to shout. those words which did because I knew I would cerate a panic even if was wrong i O. What was the situation at the l time. captain? A. What. do you lmean?
 I O. What I mean is. was the sftua- ton dangerous? A. We'll, sir, there I was no panic of any kind. 1 O. At that time the ship listed more2 A. Well. she kept listing then.
 e. Why do you think the situation more dangerous at that time than at 1 any other time? A. Well. it is hard to judge as to when a boat is going
 @. Has she ever listed .before9 A. Yes, pretty bad before. | @. But you were not afraid of her :? | A. No. sir.
 @. Were you surprised at her list l ing? A. Yes and no. /
 o. What caused her to keep on listing? A. I don't know.
 e. Have you any theory as to why she kept on listing? A. Probably too heavy weight listing side.' Farmer War; Ads. One Cent Word,