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BOYLE PURDON CREACH, sworn, states. I am second officer of the P. & O. Str. Bombay. I was on duty on the evening of the 24th. I was on the poop, I went on duty shortly after six o'clock; I was on the fore part of the poop attending to the steering. I heard the gong sound twice; this was about a quarter past six, I should say. went to the gang way and saw a bright light ahead very nearly, and I should say from five to six miles away-not quite ahead. Afterwards I made out a steamer's lights a point on the port bow; the order was given to port the helin: which I passed along. The helm was steadied. I went on the gangway and saw the lights broader on the bow. The order was again immediately given to port the helm, then "hard a port." I ran aft to assist in putting the helm over with the fourth officer; ordered the quarter master who was with the signal lights to give a hand also. When the helm was hard over we could see the bright light nearly ahead. It was the mast-head light. After- wards the mast-head light appeared on the starboard bow. I could see a steamer under full sail about half way across the bow, crossing to the starboard; the order was given to starboard the helmn; before the helm was quite over wo struck the steamer somewhere between the mizen chains and quarter gallery; when she was about a breast of the bridge, the order was given to port the helm. As the steamer went astern of us, I could see the screw going round. I was not in a position, where I was, to see any lights but the mast-bead light, at first. I saw smoke from the funnel of the other ship as she was crossing our I should think the other vessel must have been two bow. or two and a half miles off when I first saw all her three lights. She was about one-half a point on our port bow at that time; after that there was no time at which I saw only one light. I was not in a position to do so. After we had first ported, and the bright light came right ahead, we must have been very close, say a quarter of a mile or less apart. It would be difficult for me to judge of distance from where I was standing. The wind was northerly at the time. It was a fresh breeze and there was a good sea on for narrow waters; the weather was clear, and it was a starlight night. I could see the hall of the vessel about one-half a mile off with glasses. The mast-head light of a steamer could be seen six or eight miles off with glasses; without glasses about five miles. The tide was against us. Our mast-head light was burning but I could not see the other lights from where I was. When we passed Kanonsaki I was not on deck. When I relieved the deck we had passed the light at Kanonsakí about five minutes I should think. Our course was about N.W. true. I could not then see there light of the light ship; don't know if it was visible from the bridge. I should think three minutes must have elapsed between the time I first saw the sleamer's three lights and the time of the collision: we were going about eight knots I think at the time I heard the telegraph go, and shortly afterwards the engines stopped. I have no idea at what time the engines stopped. I saw the other vessel shortly before the collision and afterwards. When I saw her before the collision I had no idea what ship she was; the other vessel was under sail and steam, with a fair wind. I don't think the other vessel could have been going less than eight knots, but she may have been going at reduced speed for all I know. When I noticed the other steamer's screw, I think she was going ahead; but I could not form a distinct idea because it was such a short time. I should say she was propelled by steam and not dragging her screw. The collision occasioned a pretty good shock; not a very great shock, but you could feel it very well on the poop where I was standing; the Captain was standing on the bridge with the chief officer and pilot I believe. The bridge is in the centre of the vessel. I could feel the shock more on the poop than it would have been felt on the bridge. I did not report the shock to the Captain, nor tell him at any time what I felt; nor did I tell it to the chief officer. From the time of the collision until I lost sight of the steamer's hull, I could not say how long a time elapsed. I did'nt take any note at the time. It might have been ten minutes: might have been less, but my attention was fixed exclusively on the steering. I had two men at the wheel and the Quarter- master, under ray orders; there was a man on the look out: there always is-two on the forecastle and one on the bridge. I know that from hearing the gong struck. The other vessel did not appear to have sustained any great injury.
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To Mr. DE LONG.-When I said the steamer didn't ap- pear to be much injured, I meant the other steamer. It is a standing order that every officer on duty on board car ships should have a binocular glass with him. that time I was not in charge of the watch but the steering. I didn't see the other steamer till after the gong sounded, and then it appeared to me that she was about five or six miles off. 1 referred to the port gang-way when I said I lopked out and saw the steamer. I saw no light whatever till I went to the gang-way. I first saw the mast head light of the steamer-that was from the gang-way-that was after the gong had sounded. When the gong had sounded, I went to the gang-way to see what was the matter, and it was then I saw the steaner's must head light ahead. I can't say how long a time elapsed between the time I heard the gong sound, and when I saw the side light, it may have
been two or three minutes, but I cannot say positively. When I saw the side lights, I was standing in the port gang-way, her side lights then bare half a point on the port bow. She was then about two and a-half miles from us. At the time the gong sounded the helm was steady, the course was North half West. It must have remained per- haps two minutes steady after the gong sounded --I sup- pose until they could make out the steaner's lights from the bridge. Hor helm was then ported and afterwards steadied; the ship had altered her course about two points before the helm was steadied; it remained steadied a few seconds while bad time to walk three paces. When it was put to port again, the helm was steadied sufficiently long for the ship to feel its effects. I went a second time to the gang-way and saw the steamer's lights. It was the port gang-way I went to. The lights then appeared broader on the bow. The heira was then put hard a port, and remained in that condition till we saw her cross our bows. When I saw her crossing our bows, I first saw her mast head light, then her sails and rigging. I saw the must head light continuously. I knew from this that she must be crossing our bows. When I saw her sails and rigging, she must have been two ships' lengths off. When our helm was put to starboard, the vessels were about a ship's length apart. I am certain I saw smoke is- I don't know whether her mainsail suing from her stack.
was set or not. Her foresail, mizen and gaff topsail were set. I did not notice any person, or any peculiarity on board After she had dropped her as she passed. I heard a bail. astern, some one sang out "steamer ahoy," I answered them, but heard no reply. I heard no other words, such as "stay by us." If anything of that sort had been said, I could have heard it distinctly if said in the same tone of voice. My reply was "Hallo." I did not report this circumstance to the Captain. I did not report the hail, but the fourth offi- cer did. The report was made immediately. I ordered the report to be made. I saw the fourth officer go to the bridge I think I heard the steam whistle where the Captain was. of the Oneida going after the collision, it was after the hail that I heard the whistle. I did not report the hearing of the whistle nor did I order such a report to be made, as Iwas not certain whether it was the steam whistle or not. There is often sound from the engines like a steam whistle, and I was not sure whether it was that that I heard or not. From my post on the poop, to where the Captain stood must be about a hundred and fifty feet. I was right aft. at the stern of the vessel, when I heard the hail-within a few paces of the wheel. The wheel is about seven feet from the stern... I think the Bombay's length is about two hundred and sixty fect, or somewhere near that; the bridge is nearly amidships, it is before the funnel. I should think that the two vessels remained together but a few seconds only. They separated abraost instantaneously. I can't for an opinion of how long the other vessel was in sight after the collision, from the state of excitement I was in. I could distinctly see her I saw lights about the deck. I hull as she passed by us. did see a light or the reflection of a light from her hull. It was from the after-part of her hull close to her quarter. I couldn't say, whence that light emanated. I couldn't say. whether it appeared to me a usual light from a port or a light as from an unusual breach. I could see that her upper works were broken, It appeared to me that the upper works were broken, but whether the light came from a port or else- where, I cannot say. I could not and did not see into the cabit or the interior of the vessel as she passed by us. The I could see the light did not disclose any thing to me.
I could not breakage, but could not distinguish anything. distinguish any one on board." I can't say if I saw anyone, but I thought I saw one figure. I thought I saw that figure on the deck. Not through were I saw the light. I did not report this to the Captain, nor did I have it reported. The upper works which I saw broken were, I should think, be- fore the wheel. I did not consider that the steamer was much injured by being only damaged in her upper works, therefore I did not report it to the Captain. I mean by up- per works, the upper part of the deck, much above the wa- ter line, an injury to which would not put a ship in any im mediate danger of going down. I knew the Bombay was a large iron plated ship and going at about 8 knots an I knew she had struck a vessel deeper in the water than ourselves; she appeared to be a little smaller than the Bombay, I do not know the registered tonnage of the Bon bay. I did not think the hull of the other vessel was seriously injured.
hour.
To Mr. BARNARD. The other vessel did not carry a poop as far as I could see. I have never been in this port before. I meant that the Bombay was going 8 knots before her en- gines were eased down. I dont know when they were eased down-they were stopped when the helm was ported the se cond time. I could n't say where the sound as of a steam whistle came from. I have been in a collision before in Calcutta river; one of the vessels was the Nemesis the other was the Cape of Good Hope, both mail steamers. I was in the Nemesis; our vessel sink the other vessel. On that occa- sion the shock was not very great.
TO THE COURT.-After hearing the hail and answering it, I listened about a minute for a reply; I did not hall to ask if they were damaged; it did not occur to me to report the hearing of the whistle. I can't say whether the Captain could hear the whistle or not; it was very indistinct.
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can't say where it came from. I did not notice whether the other vessel's quarter boats and davits were amashed. I didn't see any poop on her I was at the wheel holding it at the time of the collision. The concussion had no effect on the wheel I was holding on to. If I had not been holding on to the wheel, the concussion was certainly not strong enough to have thrown me off my legs. The light I referred to appeared to come from about half way between the inizen and quarter gallery. I esunot say how the light appeared to me; from its appearance, I thought it might have came through a port, bat not through a small scuttle. I looked as closely at the other vessel as I could look under the circumstances. I couldn't say how long a time elapsed from the time I saw the light and the time she dissappeared. I did not watch ber out of sight. I saw or heard no signals from the Oneida; if a gun had been fired shortly after, I think I could not but have heard it. I didn't hear any one on board say that a gun had been beard. I don't know if any order was given to keep an eye on the Oneida or not. The Bombay could not in my opinion have been going more than three to four knots when the collision occurred. 1 bave known a vessel with a Port as low down and as far aft as the position of the light which I saw.
(Signed)
BOYLE, P. CREAGH.
2nd offleer,
TALBOT STOKER, Sworn, stated. I am fourth officer of the Steamer Bombay, I was on duty a little after 6 r.M. on the night of the collision. I was attending to the stear ing in the after part of the quarter deck; there was an order given to port the helm. After the helm was steadied I went to the side of the ship--the port side. I saw a stegn- er's lights about one-half a point on the port how; directly the order was given to port the helm, I went and did it myself, the second officer assisting me: the helm was bard a port, when suddenly I saw a vessel shoot across our bows; she was under sail; the order was then given, to starboard the helm, which was done; the helm was barely a star- board before the collision took place. The shock was slight and the ship shot right away. Immediately afterwards us the ship dropped astern, she hailed us; the second officer and I both replied, bal got no answer. Not receiving any answer I went to the bridge and reported to the Captain what had occurred. The commander asked the pilot if there was any safe place where the other ship could go asbore the pilot said yes, she was close to the spit. The Captain made a remark that he did'ut know what damage had been done to hizaself and that he said he should proceed --that is all I heard. I returned to the poop for a short time after that, and then went on to the bridge for good. I didn't notice any smoke from the other vessel's funnel. I saw the three lights, but had no further reason to believe that she was a steamer, I did not notice her screw as she went astern. The ship was astern when she hailed. I did'nt hear any cdl before she passed our stern. When I heard the hail I should say the steamer must have been about 200 yards away; the ship had top-gallant sails on ber. I did not see the sails being clewed up. 1 could certainly have seen had they been clewing them up at that distance. I did not hear or see any signal or sign from the other ship, after I had replied to her hail. The hail was in a loud tone of voice, "Steamer ahoy." I answered the hail "What do you want," at the top of my voice. The second officer also answered, but his answer not being returned, I then hailed, and hearing no reply, I reported it to the Captain. I did not see any blue light or rocket, or flash of any gun; nor did I hear the report of any gun from the Oneida. At the time I left the stern the other ship was drifting so rapidly that I could not form an opinion of her distance from us. 1 reported immediately to the Captain. When I left the stern I could see the other vessel's hull distinctly. 1 noticed that the vessel secmel damaged about her upper works. By upper works I mean the works above the water line, by the quarter gallery above the main deck. I could see a light on the after part of the ship: it might have been from a port: itmight have been from anywhere. I have been nine years at sea. I did not think there was any serious damage done to the other ship; had 1 thought so, I should have reported it to the commander. I reported to the Captain that the steamer had hailed but that I could not obtain any answer from her. At that time that was all I reported. I can't remember having made another
report. The Captain turned and consulted the pilot, I remained on the bridge a short time, thert went away, and afterwards came back again. I went down almost report, so that I could'nt see what the Captain did. When immediately to fetch the chief officer, after making my I came back to the bridge the second time the Captain was looking astern through a pair of glasses. The pilot was on the bridge. I didn't know what he was doing. Our lights were burning; we were under steam only. When we first saw the vessel, we were steering N. by W. to one-half W. (compass), the light-house was visible astern-vory nearly astern.
To Mr. DE LONG-1 could see the steamer very plainly, as she went astern. I saw no one on board of her. I could see that she seemed rather damaged about the quarter gal- lery, and that she was rather broken aft. I could not ser into her cabin or ward-room. 1 could not distinguish ex- actly the amount of damage, only that a lot of wood was broken. I did not notice whether her quarter-boats or du vits were broken. I could not see her wheel or anything on her quarter deck. I did not see a light at the point of the damage. I saw one or two lights aft, but 1 did not see any bole in the ship caused by damage. I did not bear her steam whistle sound after she passed us. I heard no report, of any gun, and saw no flash. I did not note the time, but I should say we went on again about ten minutes after the collision. I was on duty at the time we passed Kanonsaki light; when we were a beam of it, we were about a mile from it. When I first saw the steamer, I saw her mast head light. Almost immediately after, I saw the side lights si- multaneously. When we passed Kanonsaki light, we were steering by the pilot. I could not say what our course was. I should say that not more than three or four minutes elapa-
from the time I saw the light, and the time of collision, when the steamer's lights were deserted. The order was at once given to port the helm, which was done; it remained ported until the vessel was seen, as she hauled across our bows. The order was then given to starboard, and the helm was starboarded, it was nearly hard a starboard at the time of collision. The Captain and the pilot were on the bridge, when I went to report the hail. The first officer was on his duty forward. I think, if I remember rightly, I met the first officer as he was coming up from below. I said to him the Captain wishes to speak to you-he did not answer, but went at once to the bridge. I went to the poop again and just looked astern, but did not see the vessel. I can't re- racmber that anything was said between the second officer and myself then. I then returned to the bridge and saw the Captain and the pilot. I did not hear what was said be. tween the Captain and the pilot on the bridge. Their con- versation was private, and I did not listen to it 1 saw a vessel's gaff laying along our bowsprit, and a vessel's span- ker boom sticking up by the anchor. I saw no sail at that time--this was on our way up the Bay. I did not hear a re- port of these things made by the chief officer to the Cap- tain. I was not on the bridge at the time the chief officer made his report.
To Mr. BARNARD.--It is not customary for a junior offi- cer to stand on the bridge close to the Captain. I went to the Captain directly after I had heard the hail; the second offi- cer was in charge of the helm. The helm was shifted from port to starboard without being steadied, but she had been ported and steadied for about two minutes, before that time. There were two seamen, the quarter-master, the second officer and myself at the helm at the time of the collision.
TO THE COURT.-No one was on the poop but the above The ship passed just people at the time of the collision. clear of us after the collision. I heard no cries from the other ship. My duty on the quarter deck was to assist the second officer. I don't know why the Captain ordered me harbour is on the bridge. to remain on the bridge. My station going in and out of other vessel. I heard our gong sounded several times on I did not bear the pilot hail the
sounded, as I could not hear distinctly aft. After the gong the forecastle. I could not say how many times it was
was sounded, the helm was ordered to port, and after it was ported, it was steadied.
(Signed)
TALBOT E. STOKER,
Fourth Officer,
Adjourned till 9 A.M. on Monday.
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