Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-31
buck" is PASSED
IN SHIP DISASTER
Continued From Page ~

Work of raising the Eastland pro-
crossed slowly today. The big vessel
has been encircled with heavy cables.
Large pontoons are being forced under
the stem and stern.
Tho sealing Of the matches and port
holes is under way. When this is COM
pletcd. the hull will be pumped out
and an effort made to right the dere-
lict. 1t will take a week or more to
place the vessel upright.
Meanwhile flotilla of launches
dragged the river and ten divers con-
tinued their search for bodies OF vic.
tins.
The body of woman was taken
from & cabin OF the Loaf early in the
day.
When the inquiry conducted by Sec
Rotary Redfield into the causes of the
EaStland disaster was resumed today
Robert Reid, United States inspector
of steamboats,, with headquarters at
Crane Haven, Mich, was recalled
Mr.. Reid was one Of the six men or
dered held by the coroners jury to
the state grand jury, and is the father
in-law of ]. M. Erickson, chief en-
gineer of the Eastland, who also was
held to the grand jury.
The witness was examined by A. L.
! Thurman, solicitor for the department
Of commerce.
II first saw the Eastland in the
Chicago river in June, 1906 said In
spector Reid. II was then an assist
ant hull inspector. The boat was then
allowed to carry 5000 passengers.
think that certificate was in effect only
| during the season Of 1905.
II made my first inspection of the
Eastland at Grand Haven, Mich, in
June, 1914, just after her return from
Cleveland where she had been for sew
eral years. At that time knew no
! members of the owning company ex-
cept George T. Arnold, president OF the
company. The boat was taken to Ben
ton Harbor, Mich, and Inspector c. G..
Eck'iff and inspected her there June
10, 1914. At that time | found the
general condition of the steamer and
her life saving apparatus good. |
gave her capacity Of 2,O45.
Tells Of Fixing Capacity.
"In determining her capacity con-
sidered the life saving apparatus and
did not take into consideration the
deck space. 1t was the general prac-
tice to take into consideration the
deck space, but l was aware that she
had deck space for 1000 persons, SO
did not take that into consideration"
Inspector Reid said that the general
rule in determining the deck space as
basis for estimating the passenger
capacity of boat was ito divide the
number of square feet Of deck space
by either six, seven. eight or nine"
when Eckliff and fixed the capac-
ity of the boat" said Reid, George T.
Arnold, president of the St. Joseph
Chicago Steamship Co.; William H.
Hull, vice president, and Walter c..
Steele. secretary, were aboard.
son-in-law In Big Job.
The witness said that his son-in-
law, ]. M. Erickson, had applied for
the position of chief engineer OF the
Eastland at the request of his wife and
that Mr.. Hull had written letter to
the Grand Haven inspection board ask
ing about Erickson's qualifications.
Erickson was later appointed chief en-
gineer.
Mr.. Reid said that at one time he
had angered Mr. Hull by refusing to
grant certificate of inspection to the
steamer Eugene c. Hart.
II have had my character attacked
more than once" said the witness,
because l refused to certify boats"
RedfieId is Quiet.
The inquiry being made by Secretary
of Commerce Redfield was resumed
! with the examination of several wit
nesses during the morning session.
No. questions were asked Of the wit
ness through the morning session by
Mr.. Redfeld, most of the questioning
being done by Solicitor Thurman. The
first clash of the inquiry occurred
when Michael Sullivan, assistant Uni.
| ted States attorney, took up the ques.
| tioning of the witness.
| "You don't ask fair questions Mr..
Thurman told Mr.. Sullivan. Whist