The Madisonian., 1840-02-08
THE INQUlSlTlON ON THE LEXINGTON
THE VERDICT AND PRESENTMENT

On Friday OF lasrwcek, the Coroner's Jury returned
the following verdict and peeseu,ment;
We find ,ha, Henry Bates, Silas rhorbnrn Benjamin
Laderc, Philo Ipson and Stephen Waterbury, came to
their deaths by the burning OF the Lexington IN Long
Island Sound, and this jury, such Of them as their
names are hereunto annexed make the following pre-
seutment
From the testimony adduced before the Court of In
qniry by the Coroners inquest, to investigate the
which led to the destruction by fire OF the steam
boat Lexington, the inquest Of opinion that thasre
communicated TO the promenade deck by the IN
tense heat OF the smoke pipe, or from sparks from The
space between the smoke pipe and steam chamber as
the fire first the casing OF the steam
chimney above the promenade deck They are further
Of option that the Lexington frstrate boat, with
excellent steam engine, and boiler suitable for
burning wood, but coal with the blowers attached
Furthermore, opinion that had the buckets been
manned at the commencement Of the fire. il would have
been Immediately extngushed. Also inasmuch as the
engine could be stopped from the rapid progress Of
the fire, with presence OF mind of the officer, and strict
discipline of the crew, the boats could have been
launched, and large portion Of the passengers and
crew If not the whole, might have been saved,
II is the opinion Of this Jury that the present inspec
tors of steamboats, either from ignorance neglect,
have suffered the steamboat Lexington TO navigate the
Sound at the imminent risk Of the lives and property
OF the passengers giving certificate stating full CON-
piance with the laws of the United States. while in
opinion, such was not the That the system,
adopted board the Lexington, of using blowers
board OF boats, dangerous which has been proved TO
this jury by competent Witnesses and that the con-
duct of the officers Of the steamboat Lexington the
night Of the 18th Of January, while said steamboat
fire, deserves the xeverest censure of this communl
~ From the facts proved before this fury, that. The
Captain and Pilot, in the greatest hour Of danger, left
the steamboat to her guidance; and sought their
safety regardless Of the fate Of the passengers in
stead Of the Captain Pilot retreating the tler. aft.
when driven from the wheclhouse, forward, and the
ropes there being burned Off there being at that time
communication to the said tler, there appeared TO be
no other thought but self preservation. And 1t further
appears this jury that the odioas practice Of carrying
cotton in any quantities board Of passenger oats, in
manner in which it shall be liable to take fire. from
sparks heat, from any snokc-ppe other means,
deserves the public
[Sgned by James Goadby. Thomas f, Buraw, s.
H. Hcrriott, Tennis Fokkes, James Green. +. M p
Durando, lr., Edmund r. McVesgh A. S. Chace,
Abraham Creven. Robert Bue. Richard M Hoe,
Henry " Davis
We composing part of the jury in the Of the loss
OF the lexington, fully exoueate and excnlpaie Capt,
Stephen Manchester from any blame after
the breaking of the fire on board.
TSgned Benjamin Vincent, foreman Joseph E.
Mount I