Eisler, then was called and told of his qualifications as naval architect. He stated that ho had supervised the designing and construction of at least 20 vessels, including five launches, and four 14,000 ton boats for the U. S. Shipping Board. Ho had undertaken to supervise the building of the Morning Star without any recompense. He hail been approached first by representatives of the Board, because of his previous work on another boat. the Evangel. The model had been made and the designs submitted tx the deceased. He said that he thad objected to Dr. Pierce to the idea of a high top rail, and that he could not design such a boat which would be safe for passengers to ride on top, and that he understood that this upper deck was only to be used as a sleeping porch, when the evangelist was on his long trips in the country. The defence produced a carbon copy letter said to have been sent by the company to tha missionary explaining the high rail and it uses. Witness stated that at further conferences it had been made clear to the purchaser that the vessel should not be used with passengers above. Capt. Eisler said the boat in question, before delivery, had ridden out a typhoon of last July, while at anchor off Pootung Point, and that she was without ballast or fittings except an engine.
Mr. Fessenden—Based on your experience, what can you state as to the stability of the vessel!—l am of the opinion that properly loaded and under normal conditions the boat is amply stable.
Questioned as to the certificate granted, he replied that in his official position, not as builder, but as surveyor, he had deleted the words "and cargo' from his certificate.
Mr. Fessenden—After the return; from Soochow, did you instruct anyone to put in ballast?—I_ certainly did not. Witness said wag present at the test of Mr. Shand so that he could test its veracity and to give evidence of the showing, that he arranged tht loading of the men for tests, end had weighed the men who were the load in the said test. He continued that he had ordered the ballast be taken out before Mr. Shand began his work, and further that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.