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VOL. XXXV. CLEVELAND, MAY 23. 1907. No. 21 BERLIN INQUIRY. The court of inquiry to inquire into the loss of the Great Eastern Railway Co.'s steamer Berlin gave judgment re- cently in the form of answers to six ques- tions submitted by the London Board of Trade. The first three had-to do with the com- passes, charts and sailing directions, sea- worthy condition, life-saving appliances, etc., all of which it was found had been in. excellent condition. The fourth, and their answers follow, together with fifth and sixth questions the judgment of the court: 4. What was the cause of the strand- ing of the vessel on or near the north pier of the new waterway, Hook of Hol- land, on the morning of February 21, and her subsequent loss? | Answer.--The cause of the stranding of the vessel on or near the north pier or breakwater of the new waterway, Hook of Holland, on February 21 last, and her subsequent loss, was an error of judg- ment on the part of her master. This error of judgment consisted in his at- tempt to enter the new waterway in the condition of the weather then prevailing, and in his underestimating the effect of the send of the sea and the force of the tide on his vessel when he did make the attempt. On her passage across the North Sea from Parkeston Quay, Har- wich, the vessel had experienced the full force of a severe northwesterly gale which caused a dangerous breaking sea in the vicinity of the gas buoy situated about three-quarters of a mile from the extremity of the northern breakwater of the new waterway, Hook of Holland. Shortly after the vessel passed this gas buoy, at a speed of 15 or 16 knots an hour, rolling heavily, a heavy sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to broach to about five points to the north- ward of her course. The helm was put decks into the sea. _on the breakwater, and hard aport, stopped and reversed full speed astern, and the port engine kept full speed ahead. Under the action of the rudder and en- gines the vessel was brought round with cher head towards the southwest, but in executing this maneuver she _ drifted through the action of the tide, wind, and sea, too close to the northern extreme of 'the breakwater to clear it, and struck it with her port bilge twice, the first time not heavily, the second time she impaled herself on the submerged part of the breakwater and became a total wreck. 5. Was proper discipline maintained on board after the vessel struck? What were the circumstances in which so many lives were lost? Answer.--Proper discipline was main-. tained on board after the vessel struck. The circumstances in which so many lives were lost were as follows:--After the vessel struck the breakwater, as de- scribed in the answer to question 4, she 'remained on it, with a heavy list to star- -- board, fully exposed to the force of the northwesterly gale and. frequent snow storms, with heavy seas constantly break- ing on board sweeping her decks fore and aft. In a few minutes the seas tore away the bridge, smashed up the boat shelter, the boat deck, and the boats, car- rying them overboard, together with the men who were endeavoring to clear them away for use. The passengers had all been summoned on deck and supplied with life-belts. By the directions of the officers life-lines were stretched along the deck for their security, but from time to time many were swept off the exposed In less 'than two hours after the stranding the forward part of the ship broke away and disappeared, and all; who were on it were lost. The after part of the vessel remained impaled the survivors eventually found partial cover under the lee of the engine-room skylight. About 25 of these huddled up together there, but their numbers were soon thinned, as they died from exposure or were washed . the starboard engines were overboard, 'the survivors' remaining in that state until 4 p.-m. of the succeeding day, Friday, February 22, when the Dutch lifeboat crew rescued 11 of them who were able to slide down a rope on to the breakwater. The remaining three women who were able to help themselves by this means were rescued later by Capt. Sperl- ing about 1 a. m. on the following morn- ing. It must be noted that in consequence of the heavy sea prevailing it was impos- sible to approach the breakwater, and from the time the vessel stranded every pos- sible effort was-made by the Dutch life- boat men to effect communication with the wreck and save life, and the rescue of the survivors was effected. at the = est possible moment. 6. Was the vessel managed and navi- gated at all material times with proper and seamanlike care? Answer.--The vessel was not managed and navigated at all material times with proper and seamanlike care. The court considers it advisable to indicate in gen- eral terms the imminent risk of disaster which those masters incur who, when en- trusted with many lives and with valuable property, take the responsibility of run- ning unnecessary risk from a sense of over-confidence or from a desire to please those whom they: serve. The judgment of the court, therefore, is:--The court having carefully inquired into the circumstances atteriding the above mentioned shipping casualty finds the stranding and loss of the Berlin were due to an error of judgment on the part of her master in attempting to enter the new waterway, Hook of Holland, at about 4:40 a. m. on February 21 last, during a heavy northwesterly gale, and in failing to make a sufficient allowance for the strength of the tide, wind and sea, when endeavoring to make the entrance, © whereby the vessel stranded on the break- water and became a total wreck with large loss of life. - No comment was made on the decision of the court, and the proceedings | con- cluded. 4