New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-22
WIRELESS WARNINGS
ARE Being PR0BED
Naval Court Of Inquiry 10 Meet
Again Today
sr Ths A..eel.tsa Pres.


San Diego, Cal, Sept, ss,-fhe ma
val court Of inquiry investigating The
wreeking OF seven destroyers on Hon
"a, Cal, September 8, planned 10 hold
a brief session here today al which
additional witnesses from the U. s 8
belphy. flagship of the wrecked
squadron, we're 10 testify,
Dispatches received here identi,
flying J. r. stappler. asserted author
of a telegram introduced at yester'
days session eritieizing radio COM
pass signals received from Point Ar
Euello. as hrst officer OF the steamer
AriEonian. led naval authorities 10 ex-
press the belief that stapplsr would
be asked to testify before the close OF
the inquiry,
Meanwhile commanding officers.
executive officers and naugators OF
the seven wrecked vessels will not be
permitted TO resume active duty I'M
I'll the naval court ends its sessions.
according TO orders received from the
secretary OF the navy,
Memorial Tomorrow.
Surviving members OF the crews are
preparing TO take up the task OF fit-
ting out and commissioning seven
ships which willstake the place OF
those lost. and other officers and en-
listed men OF the navy are making
ready for memorial services tomor-
row In honor OF the 20 who persisted
In the wreck.
A telegram saying the receipt on
August 20 OF radio compass bearings
from Point Arguello, which would
have put US ashore on San Miguel Is
land, If we had followed them" was
read.
The text OF the telegram was as fol-
lows.
Have In our possession two sets OF
radio bearings, which. had we not
disregarded them, would have put US
ashore on San Miguel Island August
2S. One set received while anchored
among the rocks on north side of is
land Will gladly furnish same with |
log extract, If 1t will be of service to
you"
Gives New York City Address.
The sender gave his address as 152
Riverside Drive. New York.
The telegram was signed ~. r.
Stappler," but counsel for Captain
Edward H, Watson, chief of the de-
stroyer squadron, who produced 1t
during his cross examination of Lieu
tenant Commander John NJ Ashley,
OF communications of
he 18th Naval District. said he did
lot know the signer nor what ship he
No complaints had ever been made
o him, as superintendent of COM
that the bearings sent
tut by Point Arguello station were in
accurate, Ashley uaid.
Produces Radio Station Log.
Lieutenant Commander Ashley pro-
luced the log of the Point Arguello
ado compass station. which had sent
tut numerous signals in the hours
preceding the disaster. warning the ]
destroyer squadron that it was still
90 far north of the Point to attempt
n eastward turn into Santa Barbara
hannel
Asked whether any change in equip (
lent had been made at Point Ar ,
uelo which might have affected the
peration Of the station the witness
lid that zone of the masts was drop
ed at noon" He admitted no in
oections or technical adjustments
ad been made to make sure that the :
ccuracy of the station had not been q
ffected by this incident.
He also admitted that no warnings !
ad been sent out to ships at sea that 4
lie accuracy of Point Arguelo COM i
ass bearings might be affected by :
lis circumstance.