South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-11-18
Testimony of Capt. Frederick
HinSCh, the Only Survivor.
Will be Heard by u.
S. inspectors.
LOSS is BLAMED ON
THE SWIFT CURRENT
German Boat is Only Slightly
Damaged and Will Start
on Return Trip in
a Few Days.

International News Service:
NEW LONDON, Conn. Nov. IS
While the federal investigation into
the fatal Deutschland accident con-
tinued today. those concerned per-
sistently refused to discuss it pub
IicIy. Il is expected that all the
testimony will have been heard by
Monday or Tuesday.
Before the steamboat inspectors
Gs the blame for the destruction OF
the tug T. A. Scott, it,, and the loss
of FIVE lives they Will hear the testi-
mony Of Capt. Frederick Himself, an
official OF the Eastern Forwarding
Co. who was the only survivor on
The tug. Capt Hinsch was confined
TO his home today threatened with
pneumonia
Cant. Paul Koenig Of the Deutsch-
land. has already told his story to
the federal investigators.
II was reported that insurance
companies and the owners Of the
sunken tug might start legal pro
e.eodings and libel the Deutschland,
but representatives of the Eastern
Forwarding Co. agents of the owners
OF the submarine gave assurance
today that all claims would be met
promptly. Attorneys representing
the T. A. Scott CO. and marine in
surance companies have already ar
rived here
Witnesses Are Heard.
The United States inspectors Of
steam vessels. headed by Capt. w.
r. Whitney, heard through witnesses
OF the conditions under which the
submarine. slipping out of the har-
Dor in the darkness 50 that she might
submerge in neutral waters before
daybreak, ran down the tug which
was acting as her protector. off
Race Rock. just outside this port.
The testimony came from Capt. Paul
Koenig. Of the Deutschland; from +.
w Krapohl. his chief officer. and
from Hans Kleese, his chief engi-
ueer. II was given in secret, but II
became known through statements
outside the chamber that the COLI
sion was an accident
survivors who would discuss the
matter were agreed that il was due
20 A combination OF swift currents.
which carried the tug OF its course
and across the bow OF the submarine
and the darkness. which was TO be
the Deutschland's medium OF safety
hut which instead prevented ready
observation Of the danger ahead.
capt. KOenig would say only to
auestioners. 1T is a terrible thing 10
lose those good men. 1 feel il deep
Is. You must excuse me.
capt Harry Baker OF the Cassie
and some OF his crew also viii be
called 10 tell OF their observations.
The Deutschland return viii be
delayed only a few DAYS. estimated
variously from two days TO a week.
b. the damages which she sustained
and not at all by the fact that in
curry IS being made.
Examination OF her bow Friday
showed that three plates had been
stove in TO a degree described by
some as a hole" and others as "a
dent Her stem was twisted TO
cardboard but the general structure
~ the submarine was said 20 be
firmly IN place, Notwithstanding
the forcs of the impact which sent
the TUG to the bottom within a few
minutes.
The men OF the T. a Scott. jr..
had no chance for their lives They
went imprisoned in the pilot house.
engine room or galley and undoubt-
edly we're drowned at their posts.
IL is doubtful II their bodies viii ever
be recovered. although the Scott
Wrecking Co. which owned the tug.
was considering Friday night an ef-
fort 10 raise the craft 20 obtain the
bodies.