Year: 1872

PROVIDENCE, R. l., Sept 9, 1872


Although O week has elapsed since the ill-fated
Mets went down, the calamity continues to be dis
cussed with earnestness. especially since the gov
ernment investigation has commenced. There
seems to be settled determination on the part OF
the community to have the matter thoroughly
sifted ana to place the responsibility where 1t be-
longs by way OF precedent or example. 1t Is be-
lieved, moreover, that the result Of this inquiry
will have wholesome enect in regard to future
navigation on the Sound.


Inspector Boole, Of New York, arrived here this
morning and presided over the investigation,
which was opened at nine O'Clock, in the Grand
Jury Room OF the United States Court House. But
little interest was manifested In the proceedings,
as 1t was not generally known that the inquiry
would go on, owing to the absence Of many i'm
pOrtant witnesses. The bow watchman, some OF
whose evidence has already been given, was re-
called, but nothing Of additional interest was
elected from him.


During the morning session the most important
witness examined was Harty, the second mate.
Perhaps the most peculiar feature OF the case
elected from him was his narrative concerning his
obedience to the orders Of Mr. Gallup whom he
knew only as a passenger 1t will be seen that
this onlcer, with six Sailors aboard lifeboat



aloud his desire to return to the rescue OF the
struggling passengers, many Of whom were still
clinging to the wreck. Harty states that Mr.. Gal
lup was baiing the boat, and that when the sug-
gestion to come back was made reply was given
the effect that 1t was Of little use to return, and
that they had enough to do to take scare of them
selves. The mate also states that he knew Mr..
Gallup was wealthy man Of Providence, and
trimmed the boat head to sea and reached Stoning-
ton in safety He did not assign any particular
reason why he obeyed the orders of Mr.. Gallup.


The inspectors adjourned at one O'Clock, and re-
sumed the inquiry half an hour later, and the ex-
animation was chiefly confined to the engineers
and pilots orders from whom, however, nothing
very important was ELECTED, except from the wit
ness Palmer, who was plotting the Mets at the
time of the disaster. Tomorrow Captain Burton
and Captain Hull agents OF the line, Will be ex-
amined.


TESTIMONY OF THE SECOND MATE.


Thomas Harty, second mate, testified that the
crash of the collision was heard by him, ana he ran
forward to the room Of the first oiler, where 1t APP
peared to be, nearly under the pilot house neard
the deck bell from the pilot house and answered 1t;
they ordered me TO go down into the forward hold
and see II the boat was making any water; I went
through the scuttle into the mold forward of the
forward bulkhead everything was dry; there was
no water in that compartment; could not get out
OF that compartment into the next t one ne.%da With



Of any description; went down to her kelson
and looked for the leak, but dd not
up and reported to pilot house that everything was
tight in the forecastle and that no water was max
Keeed wSni on her ar port sae this bkhead was
about two feet forward Of where the vessel struck;
told them how It was, and the first pilot came
down and looked himself ut the break; about five
minutes after the collision he gave me lantern
and lowered me over the side to look for damage;
all could sec was scratch along the guard; saw
no break and no panks started; / was about ten
minutes examining; the lantern threw a light down
to the water they took me saying they
and was perfectly satisfied; Captain Torrey then
went back to his duty in the pilot house; after
the mead ran forward again and looked into the
fOrecastle and there was about three feet OF water
"rel IL Mr. . Baker tthe first mate) to stand by the
boats and get the boats away" Mr.. Baker went
and followed him went down to my cabin; there
was an axe there; got on deck and did my duty
as well as l could believe 1t was boat No. that
went to, on the port side; carried an axe to cut
the halliards, and Captain Torrey helped me to
hoist the bow of the boat; we got the boat half
way swung, when people got IN and hlled II; there
were about and or @ or
children; the boat was hanging by the davits;
through blunder OF o deck hand the tackle was
and threw them all out; l was thrown into the
water; pulled myself UP. rlghted the boat and
Was " Colonel Gallup to look o the
steamer, but Colonel Gallup thought that it would
be OF no use; the second compartment was not
accessible from the hatch without removing the
freight, which would have taken two or three
hours; should think there fourteen or fifteen
steeraQc passengers; the matches were open and
the gangways from which they could have escaped;
the life-preservers were Overhead


TESTIMONY OF THE OILERS.


James Whitaw, 0er testified that after the
crash he was sent down into the shaft alley to see
II there any water there was none at first, but
in ten minutes 1t rushed in from forward, put out
his light, and he narrowly escaped drowning.


Daniel Logan, 0iler, was asleep in the room en-
tered by the schO0ner's bOwsprit; first mate came
and ordered canvas nailed over the hole; first pilot
asked first mate If schooner struck under the
not Captain Hull told First Mate Baker to look
over and see II there was danger; the mate did
look he said he could not see, the sea was running
SO; Captain Hull asked how far from the bulkhead
the second mate was sent forward by Captain Hull;
he returned and reported all right.


TESTIMONY OF THE PILOT.


W. w. Palmer, pilot, testified that he was on
on the starboard bow showing green light;
another on the port bow showing both lights; put
wheel to port to clear the first schooner; suddenly
he came into the wind with his sail shaking; rang
about forty feet abaft the beam on the port side;
Captain Hull came into the pilOt-hOuse; started
ahead again. the Captain took charge and turned
the boat down and went back fifteen minutes look
and stopped; we blew three whistles twice, and,
failing to find the schooner, kept on our
course; report came that the steamer
was sinking; Captain Hull ordered me to head for
Watch Hill beach, blowing whistle continually for
help until no steam was left; stayed In the pilot
house until the boat stopped steaming and then
went on deck and assisted IN getting the forward
both schooners before we saw them the second
two minutes after the first one; when second