The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-02-11
From the Boston Times.

THE CoRoNER's INQUEST in the case of The
Lexington has concluded lis investigation. The
Coroner on addressing The jury, said it would he
preposterous in him to instruct them what pre-.
sentiment 10 make as they were all capable as
he was to make up their minds and to render
verdict according to their evidence. He would
not therefore attempt TO lead their minds in any
way. AS to himself however his mind was
made up, and was substantially the Same as it
was prior 10 the investigation. The case still
continued to be involved in mystery, nor conld
he yet tell bow the fire originated, OF the cause
TO which it was to be aScribed lie advised
them to use great deiiberaton and caution, as
the consequence ofthis inquiry would 20 farther
than those of any inquest ever held in this coun
try.
The Jury returned the following detailed YER
diet in relation to the late steamer Lexington,
&c.
VERDICT. From the testimony adduced be :.
fore the Court OF Inquiry Ivy the Coroner's In
quest TO investigat the causes which led to The
destruction by fire Of the steamboat Lexington,
the inquest are OF opinion thai the fire was com
municaled TO the promenade deck by The intense
heat Of the smoke pipe, from 81 ,arks from :he
space between the smoke pipe and the steam
chamber, MS the fire was first seen near the
cuseing Of the steam chimney on The promenade
deck.
They are further of opinion tina, the Licking
ton was first rate steamboat, with an excellent
steam engine and n boiler suitable for burning
wood but no coal, with the blowers attached.
Furthermore il is our opinion, that had buckets
been maneds ut tho commencement of the fire
it would have been Immediately extingushcd.
Also iuastnuch as the engine could not be stop
ped from the rapid progress OF the fire, with
pyeseuce Of mind OF the officers aud strict dis
cipline of the crew, the boats could have been
launched and large portion ofthe passengers
and crew, if not the whole, might have been
saved.
1t is the opin ion of this Jury that the present
inspectors of steamboats,, either from ignorance
or neglect, have suffered The steamboat Lexing.
ton to navigate the Sound, at the imninet risk
of lives and property OF the passengers, giving u
certificate stating full compliance of the laws
of the United States, while in our opinion such
was not the case.
That the system, as adopted on board the
Lexington, of using blowers on board the boats
is angerous-whichg has been proved to this
Jury by competent witnesses. And that the
conduct of the officers Of the steamboat Licking
ton, on the night Of the 18th of January. while
said steamboat was on fire, deserves the severes
censure of the community. From the fac is pro-
we'd before this Jury that the captain and pilot,
in the greaeat hour of danger, left the steam.
boat to her own guidance, and sought their own
safety, regardless of the fate of the passengers;
instead OF the captain pilot reireating to the
tiller afl, when driven from the whee house for
ward, and the ropes there being burnt of,-lhere
being ut that time n communication to the same
tiller; there appeared.to he no other thought than
self preservation. And it further appears to this
Jury, that the odious practice of carrying cotton
in any quantities on board of passenger boats,
in n mnuner in which it shnll be liable to take
ire from sparks or heat from any smoke pipe or
other means, deserves the public censure.