Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1904 — BLAMED FOR HORROR. [ARTICLE]

BLAMED FOR HORROR.

Ignorance and Lack of Discipline Caused Slocum Disaster. A long report has been made public concerning the investigation by the New York board of steamboat inspector* of the General Slocum disaster, which occurred in the Bast river last June and cost nearly 1,000 lives. The report 1* signed by James A. Dumont and Thoma* H. Barrett,’ and is addressed to Supervising Inspector Robert 8. Rodie. It concludes by announcing the revocation of the licenses of officers aboard the Slocum as follows: William H. Van ScKalck, master and pilot; Edward Van Wart, pilot, and Benjamin F. Conklin, chief engineer. Briefly summarized the principal point* in the report are: That the life-preserving appliances in the vessel were adequate, but that had the Slocum been supplied with double the number not another life would have been saved because of the ignorance and incompetence of the crew. That there was absolute lack of discipline on the part of the crew because of the negligence of the master and of the pilot. , That fire drills had been neglected and that had the crew been trained as the law requires such a disaster would have been almost inconceivable. That one of the crew, in his ignorance, added to the incipient flames by throwing thereon an empty bag which had contained charcoal. That the chief engineer was grossly negligent when notified of the fire in that he did not see that the hose had been connected and the water turned on. Under the law the board took up only the conduct of tbe vessel’s licensed officers. The other phases of the disaster were investigated by a special commission apjiointed by order of President Roosevelt and consisting of Gen. Wilson of the army and Commander Winslow of the navy. This commission has not made public its report.