Investigation of Accident to the Steamer "Eastland"; Chicago Ill., July 24 to August 5, 1915 Copy of Testimony and Report of Board of Inquiry Made to the Secretary of Commerce with Letters from the Secretary of Commerce to the President and to the Speake (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 Excerpt: ...a vessel if her ballast tanks are partly filled. Be just as full as you care to.--A. The Eastland was the only vessel that I was ever on that had to carry water ballast; and the tanks partly filled, if the vessel takes to listing the water goes with the vessel and makes the condition worse than if there was no water in her at' all, in my estimation. Q. Why?--A. Because the water gees to the listed side of the vessel; as the vessel lists down-the water runs that way. Mr. Thurman. And increases the weight on that side? A. On that side; yes. Secretary Redfield. Do I understand you to say that the No. 3 tank held over 200 tons of water. A. That is just an estimate. Q. What was the estimate?--A. 225 to 250 tons; that was the largest tank on the steamer. Q. Now, am I right in understanding you to mean, then, that that tank half full would have 120 to 125 tons of water in it?--A. Exactly. Q. Now, what would be your judgment of the effect, if any, of the shifting of that water; will the vessel list?--A. To give the vessel a list; that vessel might be shifted off her equilibrium by the shifting of the wheel or rudder, and water would, of course, go to the low side. Q. With what effect?--A. To put her down that much deeper on that side--whichever side the water ran to. Q. What are the elements involved in such a shift of water, as you understand it?--A. Nothing more than to give the vessel a list, if I understand right. Q. Can you say why?--A. Why? Q. Yes.--A. Why, for the same reason if you had sand ballast on that vessel and you rolled a barrel to one side it would give her a list that way; if you put your ballast on one side it would list over that way, and if you put it on the othe rside it would list over the other way. Q. Do you understand there is any other el...