Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-01-30
Ne. 2l9

drift board and gave him that then tried to steer
the bale TO make Crane Neck Point, but found
way Of exercise.
Ileft the wreck at IL o'clock by my watch Think
| the other man told me his name McKenney and
that he lived in New York. He died about DAYLIGHT:
ne appeared to give up good deal after had haul
ed hiir ON the bale again. encouraged him much
as possible, and made him rub his hands, which he
did for spell He died and fell back the bale,
aru the hrst sea that came took him away NV
hands at that time so bad that Could not use
them. noted time twice after this nee at half past
one aad the next time at two / calculate the wreck
sunk about s. but my hands were much frozen that
could not take out my watch. The wreck sank
about and made great flame previously. 1 con-.
sider that l was miles off the land; kept nv
course until after the rose, when saw the sloon
coming down to wiRdward, l endehvored TO attract
their attention by putting my hardkerc hef on piece
OF board, which l believe they saw. At first sat
astride of the bale Of cotton but afterwards sat On
1t as would on chair with my feet ON the flashing
Coroner-Did Mckinney say any thing 10 vow
Witness-Yes; he spoke to me of his wife and ia.
miiy, andteld nae how he kissed them he left New
York the day before; and added, that he never was
through Long Island Sound before this He said
nothing else was taken off by the slOop Merchant
and taken to Greenport, where received every at
tenton from Capt Godfrey and the citizens of that
place. That is all know respecting the disaster
Coroner-How long have you known Capt ChiIds
Wltness-Ten or fifteen years. He was packet
master with me for several years, and since then he
has been employed with me in this line
Coroner-What sort Of a man was he
witness why, he has always been deemed very
care tu steady smart man.
Coroner Had he a good deal of decision of cha
racter about him 7
Witness Considerably so.
Jurer-How did he seem at the wheel house
WItness-Well, some what aeitated.
Coroner-Was there much confusion at that time
on deckl
Witness-l don't know what there was aft; there
was none forward. j never was with Capt Child,
when the boat may be said to have been in extreme
danger
BY a Juror-Had never been in the fire room since
the blower had been in operation. Knew the situa-
ton of the fire room; but did not know what the
practice with regard to the fire.
Coroner-What is your opinion Of the origin of the
fire
Witness-Why, / believe it took fire from the
smoke pipe. The smoke pipe was red hot that night,
and often had been so before.
Coroner-How the cotton to this pipe9
Witness-The cotton may have been piled within
two feet OF the steam chimney. At the time /
say the fire the promenade deck was on fire. IL an
peared like a flame from wood. The tiller aft was
always kept ship with the chain, in such way that
it would play across the deck have no idea that
man could have kept at the Ier aft unit the engine
gave out. 1t is possible that might have got the
boat within mile of the land.
Here the Coroner read letter from Adam Hill TO
Mr.. Hoe, Of the jurors in which the writer at
tributed the fire to one OF three causes, viz OPEN
ing the fire doors when the blast was on shutting
the damper and letting the sparks get out betw cen
the cotton and steam chimney lastly from the Chin
ney getting red hot and he God and cotton catching
| therefrem.
The witness also added. shat the strength of the
boat had nothing TO do with the accident The fuel
| used anthracite, which contains carbonated nv
drogen, and VIII inf ime t,cce-once in the furnace
and again when about three feet above the main and
| steam chimney. This happens when the atmos-
phere enters and GENES in contact with the gaseous
particles" X. l. Stevens knew the fact, and his
boats have the chimney bound with fire clay, and the
| joints made air tight.
Juror-How many passengers did you generally
have at this season.
Witness-Frsm fifty to seventy-fvc.
Juror.How many did you consider came board
that dsyl
Witness-From fifty TO seventy five.
Juror-Do YOU think hat boat can go through
Hull Gate with chains, instead Of ropesl
Witness-I do; but they would be more liable to
snap in frosty weather; think there is less danger
with ropes than with chains; | consider the ropes
used in the Lexington TO have been rs safe as any
| chains that could be rugged. l do not think we
could have reached the shore, il had chains that
night TO steer with. never had any apprek Extensions
| of the Lexington's taking fire; nor did I consider
her any more likely to take fire than any other
steamer.
| Curtis Peck examined-l am the owner and master
| Of steamer, and have been in that way for some
years do not go as sailing master myself, but
| have dene so. was in the habit OF steering with a
rod, pretty well the length Of the boat, and rope to
| each end Of that. After il had been some time in
| operation took il down, because IL inconve-
nient. Passengers also complained Of the noise they
made. The next beat had tiller placed the
prone ade deck. IL was the first one believe
| so constructed. / did not this extra tiller
pro vide for accident by fire than by any 9TH
| err casualty. l did IL because my tier was broke,
and ! considered other precautions necessary. do
think ropes less dangerous in 60 ng through Hurl
Gatet than chains. consult my own interest, and
| prefer steering with ropes; my son, some OF my
family 20 in my boats, bat we have had pretty good
| luck in Of them taking fra. ! do think the
little Comet caught fire on the North River, but
IL was a mere trine; never ON board the Lex
ington. do know any thing Of her construction;
did not know Capt. Childs; always used wood
myself in preference TO coal, and never yet saw
boiler properly adapted for that fuel.
Mr. Bradenburg was then sworn, and the jury
adjourned his examination until Thursday, AZ 10
AN. "
Circuit Court