Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-24

mails and proper lookoutS.
The board today also ques-
toned how Capt. Meckling sailed
from Oxford to Cambridge, steer
ing the vessel and raising the
sails himself.
The skipper said that one Of
the passengers steered the three
master and that another one
helped him to raise the sails he
used for the short trip.
Capt. Meckling. whose tourist
tour business capsized with the
Marvel, told q newsman that in
the future he will be associated
with a new sports publication.
Hears Ship Criticized
The Marvel's skipper, who. on
Monday, stoutly defended the
seaworthiness Of the 64-year-old
wooden sailing vessel. sat quietly
yesterday, his brow wrinkled at
times, as he heard the aged ship
under attack.
The four-man board also
heard that:
/. Capt. Meckling set sail on
August 3, although warnings fol
small crafts already had beer
put out in the Bay area.
2. Water poured into the vessel
through open portfolios, which
crew members failed to check
early on the fateful day.
.. The vessel got only item
porary" repairs last summer
and, in opinion Of the shipyard
should have been dry
locked again this year.
Three Critical Witnesses
The seaworthiness of the YES
sci came under attack from
three witnesses yesterday.
81 don't believe I would have
cared to have gone out in her
. In fair weather she would
have been fine. I wouldn't have
wanted to have been out on the
Bay in bad weather." Elias Bar
tholow, jr., manager Of the Booz
Bros. Shipyard said.
"She looked like she was in q
condition =. I per-
would never have sailed
on her as a passenger" 1t.
Comdr. B. H. Harris, USCG
Safety Division, said as result
Of a visual unofficial inspection
last September 5.
"InSect-infeSted deplorably
inSanitary :. completely de-
crepit condition filthy"
charged Samuel Finkelstein, a
New York attorney, who with
six others refused a cruise after
seeing the ship and admitted he
was bitter at losing his sos de-
post.
Mr.. Finkelstein said he de-
cided to take the cruise after
seeing a brochure describing it
as a STORY book adventure"
aboard "the last of the Chesa-
peake rams"
The brochure also noted that
the ship was a "three-masted
converted coastal trading vessel.
QUILTED for vacation cruises,
and meets all requirements of
marine safety and standards"
Versatile Sailor
The only deck hand on the
Marvel, 17-year-old Stephen
Morton-sailing since he was 10
was described as a "one-man
gang" by Capt. Moore.
The youth operated the yawl
boat, helped rig the sails. manned
the wheels on turns with the
stood watch, helped man
the bilge pumps, helped secure
gasoline drums that tore loose
in the storm and described him
self as a "jack-of-all."
The youth said he shipped on
the vessel at $40 a week and later
was raised to SIS.
He said he had mo fear
no doubt whatsoever" that he
and the skipper could handle the
Marvel alone under any condi-
tons"
well, you're entitled to your
own opinion" Capt. Moore said
laughing.
The youth, who obviously con.
WINGED the board Of his sailing
ability, said he believed the shir
because Of the shifting
of the water In her hold" HI
added that some Of the water
must have come in through hel
seams.
He added that many passen-
gers panicked in the water and
"b ecause of their panic
drowned" One passenger, M
said, drowned after reaching
shore, when he sought to assist
others to safety. Others, he said
were beaten to death by the surf
orN rnokc