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could only hear the gong strike once. The order to port the helm was spoken and telegraphed at the same time. There was no order given to steady the helm after I had ported it, nor was there a second order to port the helm. I kept the helm hard a port until the order was given to hard a starboard; and the helm was hard starboard at the time the collision took place. I had been on watch from four o'clock. I can't say whether I had received an order to port the helm, a little before the order which I have referred to or not. The night was dark; I could just distinguish a man from one side of the vessel to the other. To Mr. DE LONG. About three minutes before the col- ligion, I heard the engine gong strike and could tell by the vibration that the engines were stopped. It was before I heard the bell that I got the order to port the hein; it was perhaps a minute or a minute and a-half before; per- haps it was two minutes and a-half after I had heard the bell that I got the order to hard a starboard. I immediate- ly obeyed the order. It took about half a minute to change the helm from hard a port to hard a starboard, so that the vessel could feel it; it was about three minutes after I heard the engine-room bell, that the vessels camo together. I could not say what course we were steering when I got the order to port, or how the wheel was. know it was not hard a port or hard a starboard. I only saw the mast-head light before the collision. I should think it was about four or five minutes before the collision that I saw the mast-head light; it bore a little on the port side. I saw it for three or four seconds, and then I did not see it any more. The helm was steady when I first saw the light; it remained steady until I received the order hard a port. I didn't feel the shock of the collision much; didn't feel anything of it. I couldn't hear much crashing as I was right aft. I heard "steamer ahoy" sung out from the other vessel twice, one after the other. These shouts were after the vessel got astern. I answered the hail I said "halloo," the hail was said twice before I could give any answer; the 2nd and 4th officers also answered. I did not bear the steam whistle of the other vessel. I heard no guns from the other vessel. Didn't see the flash of any gans. I heard an order to shorten sail given on the other vessel but ao other order. I didn't see anything done in obedience to that or- der. I didn't see any person on board the other ship. I did not observe anything particular on the other ship. I saw a boat or a part of a boat, but I could not distinguish what it was. I mean by a part a broken portion of a boat: this was either on the poop or hanging to the davits on the vessel's side. I cannot say I saw anything like a breach in the poop or side of the other vessel. I saw a light that came through a port, or something; it appeared to me to be a square port about 18 inches or it might have been more each way. I saw no other light than that one. I couldn't look through that light and didn't see into the vessel.
To Mr. BARNARD.—I did not report that I had heard the order to shorten sail; we answered the call in a loud tone of voice; and the wind was with my voics.
To the COURT.--My duty at the wheel is to see that the vessel is steered straight. It is my duty to see that the ship is kept on her course when an order is given to steady. 1 look at the compass to see how her head is. I couldn't tell what course we were steering ten minutes before the collisi on. I think it was somewhere from N. to N. N. W. I don't know how her head was when she struck the Oneida.
(Signed)
SAMUEL DENTON.
JOHN WILKINSON, sworn, states-I am 2nd engineer of the Bomboy. I was on watch in the engine room at the time of collision. I stopped the engine; this was a minute or a minute and a half before I felt the collision. The next order after that was go ahead easy-as near as I could judge, perhaps four to five minutes elapsed between these two orders. I keep a log-hook; there is a slate in the en- gine root, for incidents of the watch. A rough log is made ap from the slate; and this again re-copied into the chief engineer's log, I made those entries on the slate about ten minutes after stopping; it may have been a little longer after; it was about 8 o'clock that evening that I made the entries in the rough leg. The collision was light. I did not know it was a collision until we stopped; it took about half a minute to stop the eugins. The chief engineer came into the engine room just as I was stopping the engine. The engine bilge pumps are always at work.
To Mr. DE LONG-1 have brought the rough log with me, this is it. (Produced) Extract.
About (Stop 6.15.
About Easy ahead 6.19.
Full speed 6.21.
We were going I suppose eight knots before the collision. The collision occurred about half a minute after we had stopped I cannot judge well of the speed of the vessel. I should say that one minute after the engines are stopped, the speed of the ship would be reduced by one-half, I was present when the above entry was made in that book, but I didn't do it myself, the fourth engineer made it. Those two words "about," were entered at the same time, and by the same person I believe. I should say that a vessel going at eight
knots would be almost stopped four minutes after her en- gines were stopped.
It
To the COURT.--There is a clock in the engine room. is at my back as I stand to alter the engines. I felt a light shock at the time of the collision. And I felt a rebound of our vessel. It was after the ship was under weigh going full speed ahead, that I entered the above extract on the slate. The time thereon noted is to the best of may judgment; but I did not look at the clock on receiving the order to stop or easy ahead, or full speed. I should say that I made the entries on the slate about five minutes after the order full speed was given. And this must have been at about half- past 6 o'clock; generally an order to "staunt by " is given before an order to alter the engines is received. In this instance, there was no order to stand by.
(Signed)
JOHN WILKINSON,
ROBERT SMITH, Sworn, states.-I am bed-room steward of the Bombay. I and the carpenter was pacing the deck forward on the port side just before the collision. I saw the I don't know when the collision sails of the other vessel. took place. I don't remember feeling it at all. The car- penter said there was a collision, and I ran aft that I might not get hurt. I went into the saloon almost immediately after leaving the break of the poop. I saw a light on the other ship, or a square place for the light. Before entering the saloon, didn't notice any other light. Could see the smoke from her funnel. I have no idea how far she was off when I saw her. I saw the foam of the water astem as it her screw was going on. I saw no signals from the other vessel, I heard some one sing out "Halloo" on board our ship. I couldn't see what had happened on board the other vessel. I could not distinguish anything to speak of on board the other vessel. I was standing alongside the car- I don't panter; the carpenter and I both ran aft together. know if the carpenter was called away, or if he was stand- ing on the deck when I went below. I don't remember speaking to the carpenter; there was only one first clas gentleman passenger.
To Mr. DE LONG-There was one second class passenger. I believe his name is Watson. I am not certain if I saw a table in the other ship. I don't know if I did. I couldn't say what I saw exactly on board the other vessel. I didn't sec a lamp but I saw a light. I have no idea what size the place from which the light issued appeared to be. I have seon our own ships with gangway ports. I didn't know but what this might have been a gangway port. I can't tell if I thought it was a gangway port or not; all I can say is that it was a light. I should think that what I saw such as a table or something must have been between docks. I can't tell whether I saw what I thought to be a table with, a cloth on it or not. I didn't notice if I saw a chair. I didn't see a chair, nor nothing. I fancy I saw two or three men where I saw the light; or rather part of men. Men standing up. I didn't notice what they were doing. I saw something like wood in the water, but I don't know what it was; whether it was a boat or not I can't say. At the time I saw the light I was standing at the break of the poop. have no idea how far this is abaft the bridge. I don't know whether I or the carpenter left the place first. I heard no shout from the other ship. I didn't hear her steam whistle go. I heard no gan, saw no flash us from any gun. I only heard halloa" sung out once before I went into the saloon. I did not report what I had seen to any of the officers of the ship.
Proceedings resumed at 1 P.M. AUBREY HAMRETON, states:
Signed
1. SMITH.
3rd officer, re-called, sworn,
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To Mr. De LONG-I came ashore with the mail. i went into a hotel while ashore, with the chief steward. I don't know Mr. Curtis or Mr. Hiltz. I did not give an account I was asked about it but said of this collision in the hotel. I didn't know.
I did'nt bear the steward say anything about it. I did not make a statement that we had ran into any vessel one gentleman did ask me if we had stopped to see what damage had been done to the other vessel. I believe my answer was that we had stopped and nothing else. I don't remember being asked why we hadn't enquired into the damage sustained by the other vessel. I did say, there was the mistake," or words to that effect. I did not say that the "Bombay's" bows went into the Oneida," and that I could see some of the officers removing a man hurt by the collision, as I supposed, but that we did not stop but made the best of our way to I did not use any language to that Yokohama roads. effect all I said was, that it was a mistake.
To THE COURT.I did not say to the Captain or any of the other officers at any time, that it was a mistake not to have stopped; it was to a question that was asked me that I replied there was the mistake." It was a casual an- swer that I gave, and the fact of its having been a mistake not to have waited did not strike me until the question had been asked me. I think the question asked me was "why did you not stop by the ship." I could'nt say if the answer was made in reply to a question which was put in a manner to make me think that my interrogator was
finding fault with me. I did not in that hotel give BD RO
count of the circumstances of the collision. I don't know who the person who asked nie the question was. I was about three to five minutes at the hotel.
to us.
(Signed)
AUBREY HAMERTON.
ARTHUR T. WATSON, sworn, states: 1 was on board the Bombay" on the evening of the 24th instant: a col- lision took place on that day. I don't know at what time. I did not witness that collision, I was not on deck but on the main deck at the time of the collision. I didn't know there had been a collision. I felt a slight shock which made me think we bad struck on a sand bank. After feeling the shock I ran on to the poop. I saw from the poop a vessel passing us very rapidly; she was quite close When I saw her she had all her sails set, and her errew was revolving very rapidly. I could see that a place -I suppose you call it the quarter, near the rudder, was cut away; the only thing I caught sight of was what I thought to be a table. I immediately can abaft the wheel to sce what would become of her, and suddenly thought I saw her mast head light as if she was turning back again to come into harbour. I then ran forward and said, "Oh she's coming up behind."-That is all I have to say. I can't say where what I thought to be a table was-it was not on the upper deck, it appeared to be in the interior of the vessel. In order to have seen it I must have looked through a hole in the vessel of some kind or other. I did not pay particular attention to that hole, it was ku sudden, one couldn't do so. It did not occur to me that the hole was an unusually large one. I did not notice the shape of the hole; it was a table that I saw, I saw the legs as i thought; I did not notice the top of the table. I did not see any person or figure of a man near the table. I could not distinguish that any part of the ship was broken; the hole which I saw was a breach in the vessel's side. I cannot give any idea of how large it was. I watched the vessel out of sight. I heard no gun. I saw no flash of a gun. I saw no rocket go up, nor a blue light burned; had soy signal been made, I think I could have seen it from the position where I was. When I thought I saw the mast-head light I didn't notice any coloured lights. I have not been employed at sea. It was through the place which was cut away that the light came. I did not notice whe- ther she had a poop. I didn't see her wheel. I saw no- thing fall from that ship into the water. I saw a few broken splinters in the water. I did not notice if she had any boats or pot; never having been to sea before I thought it strange we didn't stop. I can't say whether I asked any oue on board why we hadn't stopped. I didn't ask the Captain why we hadn't stopped, nor the chief nor second officer. I can't say that I asked an officer why we had not stopped. We were speaking about the occurrence afterwards on board, and I may have said what I saw. can't say whether it was on board that we were speaking of what had happened. I can't recollect who were present. When we were talking the only opinion I passed was.- that I thought it strange we didn't stop. What I saw did not lead me to believe that she was dangerously damaged. I should certainly have thought it my duty at once to go to the Captain or some responsible officer and tell bin if I had thought that the vessel was so seriously damaged that she must sink. I don't know to whom I addressed myself when I said, "Oh, there she is a coming after us," but I don't think any of the officers were there."
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To Mr. BARNARD-I saw the American Consul a few days ago at the IT. S. Cousulate. I was sent for by the U. S. Consul. No one was present when I saw the Consul; be had sent me a verbal message. I believe the message was sent mae on Tuesday afternoon. I was not in at the time it came, but was told that my presence was requested at the U. S. Consulate that afternoon, or the first thing the next morn- ing. I did not see the U. S. Consul till Wednesday morn ing. The message was requesting my presence. The Con- sul asked me what I saw. I told him simply what I sail just now. He asked me why we hadn't stopped. I said I didn't know. I was not there three ininutes. I was not called on any Court of Inquiry at the U. S. Consulate. The light which I saw coming astern of us may have been from a light-house for what I know, I only know that I thought at the time that it was the must-head light of the other vessel. To Mr. DE LONG.--I came ashore in the boat with the pilot and Mr. Angus. I can't say if I said then that it was wrong not to have stayed by the vessel. I went to the Interna- tional Hotel that eveuing. I know Mr. Curtis the proprietor by sight. I said on that evening just what I have said now. In fact, I turned round to some one and said, "we'll go mud have a look at that vessel, (meaning the Oneida), to- morrow morning; she is sure to be in harbour." I did not make a statement to the effect that I had seen a man through the hole. I did say we had kuocked a hole that we could see into. I did not say anything of the sort, that we had knocked her whole stern out of her. 1 did not hear the Oneida's whistle blow. I heard the Bamboy's blow for some few minutes; this was previous to the collision. I didn't hear it after the collision. I did not see any one at all on board the other vessel. The only thing I heard from the other vessel was "steamer shoy," to which answer wasi
made by two persons. I think on board our vessel, but no reply was received. I only heard steamer ahoy" called
once.
I can't give any definits idea of the size of the hole in the other ship. I couldn't answer at all as to how large the hole was. It did not appear to me that I saw a portion of a cabin through that hole. I only saw a part of à table. and I should think that it was a square table. I did not notice whether there was a cover on it or not. In fart, the whole thing occurred so quickly that I could hardly tell you anything defluite. I did not see anything on this table. I didn't are any lamp through this hole. I saw no trunks, chairs or anything of that kind. The sails appeared to me to be filled as she passed.
(Signed)
A. T. WATSON. ROBERT B. CLEMENTS, Lieut. of H. M. S. Ocean, sworn, states. I went on board the Bumbay on the evening of the 24th. I boarded the steamer as officer of the guard; and.esked to see the Captain. He came out of his cabin, I said to him what a long way out you have anchored. He asked me whom he might have the honour of addressing. I told him who I was, and that I wanted the senior officer's mails. He said he thought he was quite justhied in anchoring so far off, as it was difficult to tell at what distance the lights were. He had never been on the coast of Japan before, and that he was also in the bands of a pilot who had ad- vised him to anchor there; besides that he had cut the quarter off the Yankee frigate in coming up the bay. I then said it must have been the Oneida. I hope she is not seriously damaged, and is she in want of assistance? He said mo, he thought not. He had laid to for some time, and he saw no signal denoting that she wanted assistance. He added that it was seeing no signals of distress that he had made up his mind to go on and land his passengers and mails. He said he thought she wouldn't go on, but that she would come back here to repair damages; and that he had got some of her booms and sails on board, and that he inust have knocked some of her boats away or something of that sort. I asked him if he was darnagel himself? He said that he was, and that the ship was making water, but nothing very serious. After that I proposed that I should go into the saloon and wait for the walls. We talked on dif- ferent things. 1 had a conversation with the doctor of the Bombay, Either the doctor or the Captain, I can't say which, said that he could see the lights in her cabins. That was all that took place regarding the collision.
To Mr. BARNARD-There was a midshipman called Stephens in the boat with me. I think he went on deck afterwards, but he was not present during the conversation. A Lieutenant named Leventhorpe was on board the Bom bay before me, but not ou daty.
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To Mr. DE LONG.--It was between 8 ani 9 PM that I boarded the steamer. I did not board her the next morning, I can't say whether the doctor and Captain were both pre- sent when the reroark was rande, that the cabin could be seen into. I don't know whether it was the Captain or the doctor who said it. One of them certainly did, as they were the only two to whom I spoke. I will swear that Captain Eyre said to me, "I have cut off the quarter of a Yankee frigate." He said serve her right, she crossed my bows with a starboard helm." I said that was a carious thing to do. I hope you are reporting. I know that Mr. Leventhorpe had been on board before me. He told me afterward that he had informed Captain Byre that it must have been the Oneida with which the Bombay had collided. Mr. Leventhorpe had left the Bombay before I had arrived. The Captain did ask me to have a glass of brandy and water; it was when I got back to my own ship that I saw Mr. Leven- thorpe; and learned from him, that he had told Capt. Eyre what vessel be had run into. Capt. Byre did not lend me to believe that the acida bad sustained serious injury. reported to my Captain that it was a trivial thing.
(Signed)
ROBT. B. CLEMENTS. THOMAS H. LEVENTHORPE sworn, statos.I am a Lieute- nant on board H. M.'s S. Ocean. Thoarded the Bombay on tas night of her arrival almost directly she had anchored. I was not on duty; the midshipman of the boat was with me: his page is Henderson. The first officer I conversed with was the doctor. In the course of conversation he asked me what steamer had gone out that evening? I told him the only one I know of was the Ainericau mau-of-war Oneida. He told me they had been in collision with a steamer, and that probably that was the one. Afterwards I saw Captain Eyre, and he described the collision to me. He told me he saw lights about half a point on his port bow; that he bad ported his helm and was all clear; then that the other vos- sel had evidently put her helm to starboard and rua right across his bows. He also told me that he had tumed on the whistle and stopped his engines before the collision. I think I made the remark that she would surely put back; he said "yes, you will see her before long." Somebody said on board that they could see right into her saloon, but I am not sure who it was made the remark. I boliere Captain Eyre was present when this remark was made. Several people were there on dock at the time. Mr. Angus was there at the time I know; but it was a dark night and I could, not distinguish faces. I cannot swear that the Osp- tain heard what passed. No conversation took place about
EX