The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-17
MIS- CELLAN EO US.
From the New Orleans Tropc, July T.
THE "MARQUETTEn INVESTIGATION.

The investigation TO the cause OF the late dread
full explosion on board the steamboat Marquette,
and the conduct of the officers Of that boat In rea.
ton thereto, which was commenced before Judge
McCaeb in the United States district court on
Thursday last, was resumed on Saturday, and, after
occupying the court from 10 in the morning to 3 IN
the evening, was brought to conclusion, and re-
suited in Judge McCalebs sending the case before
from Captain Turpin, of the Marquette, in the sum
of 5000, and from Samuel Hays, the engineer IN
$4,000, for their appearance to answer any charge
that may be brought against them.
A great number of witnesses were examined du-
ring this investigation; but few facts Of any great
importance elected, although sufficient to afford
grounds for the action of the grand jury. We can
not find room for the whole Of the testimony, nor
would our readers thank US for laying 1t before
them, there being much that is irrelevant but, the
case possesses considerable interest, in consequence
of lis growing out Of one of the most destructive ac-
cldents that for long time has occurred in the
western waters---one happening at very doors
we will endeavor, in redemption Of our promise in
Fridays paper, to give asynopsis of the testimony,
the most important points, ny which our
readers may be enabled, in degree, to Judge of
the merits of the case. Advancing no opinions. Of
our own, nor seeking in any way 70 create pre-
judice against the officers of the Marquette, we
shall confne ourselves strictly to the statements of
the witnesses themselves.
The first witness, MIR. Nicholson, cashier of the
Carrollton Railroad and Banking Company, gave
evidence-that rs he was passing along the Levee,
about O'Clock on the morning of the explosion,
TUESDAY last he saw smoke issuing from the
of the Marquette, and judged from that
circumstance that she was getting up steam. Mr..
Stringer reporter for the Jefiersonan Republican,
the next witness, stated that he had held CONVEX
sation with Hazard, of the assistant engineers,
(since deadD that Hazard gave witness to UNDER
stand he was his post at the larboard engine at the
Tina nf thaa had
working all day. Witness also stated that, in re-
ply to question he put to Captain Turpin as to
the cause of the explosion, the captain replied
the only reason he could give was, that he sup
posed there was no water in the boilers--or words
to that effect at the time adding, that he had,
during the day, given the engineers orders to have
everything in readiness for starting. Witness also
gave it as his opinion, founded on the captains rep
reservations, that there were about 70 people on
board at the time of the explosion, of whom about
80 ascertaned to be saved; leaving 49, or there
abouts, as the number of killed and wounded. The
next witness, Capt. John Larock, who says he has
been engaged as master and pilot for many years on
steamboats, on Alabama river gave evidence to show
that Hayes, the first engineer, had applied or
twice to the board of engineers in Mobile for certif
cate of competency first engineer, but had on exam
nation, been refused. On being further questioned,
Lareck said he had heard that Hayes did obtain
certificate in May last. Witness knew Hazard, one
Of the assistant engineers, (now deadly he was
and not an engineer never knew him as
engineer, but thinks he acted such during one trip
on the Marquette in Alabama river, when the first
engineer sick
In reply to question, the witness said that when
he was on the Marquette last season, pilot he had
heard when in the piot-house, the gaugecock whis-
tie, (Hayes being engineer of the boat at the time
and he well knew, when he heard that, that the wa
ter in the boilers was low and danger near; did not
know who was on duty at the time. He further
stated that he had heard this whising on only two
boats--the sack Downing, !" and she collapsed; and
the marquette" which blew up. The clerk of the
Marquette, John F. Lee, was the next witness. Hell
testified that, on the day of the explosion he was
passing backwards and forwards on the boat and
about the Levee receiving freight and attending to the
passengers; that he repeatedly passed the boilers
and engines but saw nothing wrong although he
paid particular attention, us was his custom, to the
He said the fires were lighted in the
but could not say at what hour with GER
tainty; II was the custom in Mobile he said where
The boat had been running, TO keep slack fire on
board boat all day when she was going out, as a
signal TO passengers; he thought the boat was regis
tered in Mobile and that her last certificate as to the
state Of the boilers was obtained in May. The GER
ifcate stated that the boat had been running two
years and six or eight months. Witness could not
say whether the engine and boilers had been used in
another boat or not; he understood the Marquette
was going to Louisville to run in the upper rivers
Turing the season; she would perhaps require some
repairs to her woodwork, hut not in the boilers
DR. machnery has known Hayes rs chief engineer
IF the boat since he (witness) came on her in the
middle OF May last;-does not know what wages he
-eceived had access to the books, but never ex-
AHMED them; believed the books were lost by the
explosion. Witness further stated that he had al
ways understood Hayes competent engineers
Hazard has only been engineer since the boat left
Moblle;-he was carpenter on the boat there-has
since been carpenter and engineer. Hazard told
witness that he did this to save as much money as
possible Witness further said that the boy Hanni-
pal, one of the assistant engineers, was as he un-
ierstood, slave belonging TO the captain--did not
know whether he had certificate not Witness
further testified that about half an hour before the
explosion, he conversed with Hazard about the en-
sines; at that time everything appeared right all the
engineers were about, and appeared to be on duty
Witness said Hayes and Hazard were both sober
and attentive men-never saw them intoxicated; the
boilers were cleaned by boy the morning of the
explosion. Captain Turpin, some time before start
ing, and while he was waiting for passengers order
der was repeated by Hayes. The boat had Evans's
safety-valve on each boiler; witness had great conf
ience in the safety of the boat, this account;-l
here was no powder on board, to witnesses know
edge;-has always looked upon Captain Turpin as
safe and prudent steamboat communicable boat
appeared to have less steam on than usual, few
minutes before the explosion;-boat started little
before oclock-was advertised for A.
The next witness was Barney Arnold, an engi-
neer, the main part of whose testimony went to
show that he never considered Hayes as first en-
,ineer in Alabama, but always as a second engi-
ieer;--that the board of engineers at Mobile will
not permit negroes TO act engineers and that, as
second engineer, witness got less than $50 per
month.
Capt. Tufts next appeared on the stand. After
giving testimony TO the number Of engineers car
lied by different class boats, and the of wages
ne stated that I'd engineers were often selected from
he backsmiths and strikers the boats;--that any
,ne with little experience can start or stop boat
md that steady negroes were sometimes employed
or such purpose. Witness further stated that he
supposed I'd engineer could learn his business in
nix months. Capt. Tufts gave Capt Turpin an ex-
,ellent Misunderstanding known him fifteen years
With Capt Tufts, the examination of witnesses
Tor the prosecution closed on Saturday.
For the Defence Robert Smith, the mate Of the
Marquette, was called; he stated that the captain,
On joining the boat directed the engineer to remove
one of the weights attached to the safety-valve the
effect of which was to lessen the pressure the
boilers boat appeared to have less steam than usual
when backing out. knows Nothing of the oft