The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-25
THE HENRY CLAY STEAMBOAT CALAMITY.
United States Circuit Court.
Before Hoa. Judge lngersoll.


Oor. 24.-Ths United States Thomas Colye John r.
Iallman John Gonaain EtW. Hubbard James L. Jessup,
JamSs EhasadaJ, and Charles Mssra.
Mr. Merritt has not appeared during the trial, and his
recognizances forfeited.
Pursuant to adjournment the court met at IL O'Clock.
The jurors being called answered to their names The
petty jurors smpannellsd we're discharged until Mon
day nae rning next, at 10 O'Clock.
The first witness called BY Mr. Cunning John II.
Gourey He depossd-I reside in New York; have al.
ways lived here WAS born here; am stock broker
board the Henry Clay the day she Destroyed
took passage ut Albany continued on board until she
vas run ashore have been great many times up anu
down the river
Q-Afer YOU came on board of her at Albany did you
boat.
Al observed that the boat left Albany before the
observed great deal of hurry and anxiety to get OF
Mr.. Wheaton objected to the last resi- onse.
Mr. Hall submitted that these defendants we're re-
sponsibe for the acts OF The hands board 1t was com
The Court admitted to be competent for the witness
Witness continued--I observed the activity, the
ment Of the plank and general anxiety to gel Off my
attention directed TO it at that time.
o. Did you observe or know that any other boat
was about leave Albany that morning. Al did not
directed 10 toop that lying in the river; the Clay
moved out of the way to give il room noticed that
that annoy ance Indicated? ABy shaking of the head
and scowing Of the brow; Mr. Coyer staading at
s ea e hs 1 n to e that hsv
annoyed but saw general expression or
annoyance observed nothing with regard to, TO the
er to the dock at Hudson; l observed passeu-
gers coming board and among them Mr. Allen,
observed nothing particular at the time; observed the
Armenia taking the west channel when At the
dock Hudson when the passengers got on board the
Henry Clay proceeded down the river towards Catsk
the Armenia ahead the Armenia reached the dock first
Henry Clay reached the dock she had to stop
her motion; had TO remain what thought unusu
al time from five eight minutes; remained two
hundred yards astern Of the Armenia while the Armenia
was taking in passengers the boat stayed as II to annoy
the then the Henry Clay proceeded to the dock
Immediately, to take in her pase ngers remark was
made loud enough for me to hear. [objected to.]
Witness to The Judge-The person who made the remark
engaged at the gangwa and he was one Of hands
PENDANTS there at the time. [Queston not admitted.
Witness communicative proceeded down the river; at
Catski the Clay landed, and took oil passengers, the
landing was made quickly. and with activity.
Mr.. Wheaton-There is great deal Of this we will ad
Mr. Dunning-H you admit that the Henry Clay was
racing that day you will obviate g. eat deal
WitnessI did not notice that the Clay blew of any
OF the landings the Armenia went down the
river before was reading book; my attention was
called TO the menia approached her within few
hundred yards; then laid my book down and wa .ched
the proceedings the boats proceeded at almost the
rate before got to Kingston We we're going side by
se us ns them U ~o hundred
apart, floating parallel together; gradually the
sas closer snd felt ho and
of the passage; first felt personally interested
cited; approached the boat OF the officers
dered man--(obected TO and ADMITTEDLY -wtness contu
ued the order given to put the tenders ont this
was before the collision close together that
would be very there (a Kneston) the order
obeyed the boats came together with a considerable
collision, and heard something break crash don't
know what it was; had seen Mr. Collyer previous to
Tallnan Mr. Co yer go about the vessel presumed
he the captain; saw him In different parts of the
vessel saw him exercising general superner dsnce OF
the vessel the vessels confined close locked together
Collyer moving about the vessel from time TO tme
at all times during the day. him at the bow at another
time q, the wheelhouse; l him on the promenade
deck from time to time
tions board the boat!
Al saw him speaking the hands from time totime;
l did not hear what he said to them.
Q-When the tenders were ordered out where was her
Al him few minutes after the collision on the
promenade deck
Awhile in collision passenger stepped up to him,
and putting his hand his arm said 'this should be
stopped s and made the remark to Mr. Collyer. this
ger whateyer another empoye Of the boat also
s ss a k sss ga quor at the barr Mr. Co,sp ~
the moment before had been on the promenade deck.
to know Mr. Colyer or any of these ts
was present. Ale was present the moment be-
the rest the
arboard SIDE while the boats in coaion it the
who was at times at the bar who gave the ORDERS
and him at other times take kets ut the Rangway
the went to the other side of the boat and
manned there while the boats in collision; they
teen minutes--ten minutes; the Clay two or
three hundred yards behind the Armenia when l laid
nsnia the star board side.
Q-How did they approach9 A-The Clay went to-
ward the Armenia should say there was plenty of room
on the easter'y side of the Clay, know nothing Of the
channel
o.-How did the boats come to be separated
Al heard the steam of the Armenia let of and she
fell behind do not know that the Clay lot off her steam
at any or the landings below this.
Q-Was attention at time when you laid
book down, directed to the speed of tho vessels?
A-Not till after the coision observed on the bow
of the boat whore stood, bounding or sprugng motion
N al Inhs cd
going very FAST thought 20.
o-Dd you observe anything else-was your attention
called to the conduct of the employees Of the boat1
A.--No sir, except to their general activity; my
tenton not called to their conduct after the COLI
sion except the same activity.
Q.Wss your attention called to the conduct Of the
officers and employees after that time and previous to
the fret
AGeneral activity and zeal On the part of the officers
and employees (Objected to-
Ozone down to the time the fire was discovered
and tell us what took placer
A.when the frat cry of fire took place was sitting
the stern of the promenade deck with feet through
the ratings AMI looking the houses the shore
heard cry Of fire from the main deck and spraug up
to my feet person cried out the fire is out there is
my seat in the same position was in before.
OIL won't ask you to go through all the details, but
from the lime of the cry of fire until the boat had
shore did you any of the officers the deendsnY
A-No sir; from the time Of the cry OF fire remained
on tie yromenade deck, astern there great mum
Der that deck ladies and gentlemen ldon know how
many; heard orders given by any of the off,
GERS from the position occupied.
Q--Ns1fher advice or commandy
A.-No sir; knew Stephen Allen; he was a Friend; |
saw him on board that day; was acquainted with
Abraham Crist; saw him board
Q-What means OF safety for the passengers did you
observe, IL any, on board the boatr
A.--None whatever.
Q.At any time before the cry of fire n. Yonkers did
you discover any indications of fire. A-No; did not
discover the smell spoken o. by the other passengers
To the Judge-The Armenia did not pass up to
the Clay after the Clay had passed
Counsel on both sides agreed the distances that it
$50 miles from New York to Albany; that the COLI
pla af hat in
New York to Yonkers, and that the fire took pase two
miles at this side of Yonkers.l
Witness coLtinuea-My impression is that the
Armenia when the Henry Clay landed at Newburg.
To jurer--I merely know Mr. Coyer by sight
one told me. pointing him out, that he one of tho
Of the boat.
Cross examined by Mr. Wheaton, do not know Of any
fact except the general excitement, which shows that
they in hurry to get the boat of from Albany
knoM the fact tlat she started ninuto two henca