The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-03
THE INQUEST.


Mr.. McMahon attended counsel for Mr. gollyer aud
at the of the proceedings handed in the
following notice to the examination Of the officers aud
To THE CORONER AND THE JuRv SITTING ON THE In
GUEST. RESPECTING THE STEAMBOAT HENRY CLAY,
behalf owners and officers of the steam
truth Expecting Soad
snd rdy
their knowledge Of the facts surrounding this disaster
gss board si shs Mi testify
al the for that purpose desired to
'0A''A MoMAEoS, 5s coanseer for Company
Phneas p. Wells, sworn and examined.--I live in
Clinton street passenger the Henry Clay the
2sth ult from Cozzens' dock; | saw an abundance Of
pieces Of anthracite coal from the funnel of large
size these pieces fell in fragments and moved seat
twice there small stern boats the quarter Of
the Henry Clay after passing the stern to the bows and
passing four ladies the promenade turned and
amined the bows Of the boat looking for small boats; the
hurricane extended nearly two feet; saw no small
boat any part of the Clay there only place
email boat conld have been: that the lar
board side of the boat between the pilot house and the
larboard side of the boat the pilot is considerably in
front of the Wheel there could have been boat except
it had been there; positive they threw trunks from
tbe promenade deck am positive that from the time Of
the first alarm reaching my ears, there officer
the promenade deck giving any directions advice;
nothing Of what happened the lower deck at any
time got of the boat the sand the tarboard side
at the fore end of the hurricane deck after got
supposed the clerk of the boat rendering assist
TO those in the water don't knov how long the
boat had been fire before the given; IL was
very rarely that had travelled a boat 50 full
MIR. Mcmahon said cross-examnation was alway.
usual but in the Of this witness he should not
press 1t.
Mr. Scrsgham said il preliminary nvesti-
cation The petty jury would 6nd the guilt innocence
of the parties The verdict Of this jury would be in the
nature of surmso. If the Coroner arrested party
then he could exsmine and call witnesses.
MIR. Mcmahon said he should insist upon his clients
right and begged the Coroner to take q note of this
The Coroner took note Of the requsition.
Mr. Mcmahon protested against the Coroner having
counsel.
The Coroner took note Of this protest.
James +. De Peyster sworn and examined-I live at
915 Broadway / came on board the Clay ut Newburg
noticed great exertions the part of the for
the rival boats shortly after left the dock met Mr.
Gouray who stated that there had been great excite
ment amongst the passengers before came on board
while talking with him. Joined by Mr. Stephen
the hurricane deck and took seat, but obliged to
in consequence Of the falling Of pieces Of coal and
cnders and after went below the saloon deck
the arboard side; sat there reading until heard the
cry OF fire. the passengers much startled and
only compare the appearance of the bee hive
shaken; went forward short distance, and was
assured by man who belonged 10 the boat that
the awning was fire, aud that there was no
danger then tried to alay the excitement and went
forward to the ladies' saloon and camed the ladies
by telling them there danger our safety
depended upon their keeping quiet then round
and was going forward. and met Mr. Allen he asked
what had been TO do he calm but eyidoutl =
alarmed sad there was danger and that 10 was
important to preserve camness whilst talking with him
observed the smoke rapidly increase and Mr. Allen
lust came from forward wns impressed with his manner
and thought there danger went to the stairway
leading 10 the hurricane deck 90 how matters were
on opening the door | found the passage filed with
pmokc which prevented my entrance seeing one OF the
hands the larboard side of the ladies' saloon asked
whore the fire in low he answered in low
tone "tu FIRE Is below ~ shortly afterwards there aro
cry Of re aad she appeared y be sinking rom uudcr