The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-10

the east protection wall ct the cut and that point il
feet from the west end of the draw the ball remains
distinctly visible at distance of three hundred feet
coming towards the depot 1t il then partially obscured
by trees for distance Of hundred feet Il thep becones
distinctly visible and continues so for three hundred
feet is then partially obscured again by trees for
dhtancs OF one hundred feet it then becomes distinctly
visible TO- distance OF four hundred feet it is then par
italy oscured by tree trees for hundred feet it
is then totally obscured by buildings for distance Of
one thousand two hundred and fty feet and until ycu
come upon the highway north of the depot It is then
visible again for about fifty feet; it is then obscured
again by buildings for q distance Of three hundred
and twenty five feet and at that point yon
come in sight of the ball and draw; this point
is 664 feet from the opening Of the draw the north end
the draw, when it is open, may be fifty feet
further OFF, the west Of the brick pottery 800
feet from the draw the well is $40 feet from the draw
the west butment of the bridge is 1853 feet from the
draw; the curve commences 1910 feet from the draw
measured these distances the rail with fifty feet
chains was upon train when it stopped near the draw
and when the draw open, but not prepared to
say there was any neglect the part OF those in charge
of the train.
G. B. simonds, of New Haven sworn, said-I am su-
perntendent of the motive power the New Haven Rail
road the Superintendent of the road Mr.. Whistler fur
nishes me with the instructions, and give them the
engineers; receive all printed notices and instructions
from him; could not say positively that gave this
engineer the time tables, but am certain he has had
them; think he told that he had a time table;
often caution the about crossing the draws; the
time tables contain the Instructions the engineer Ed
ward Tucker has been two months the road the last
tme have known him the last eight years by reputa
ton, and three years personally cautioned him at
different times, and particularly about month or six
in tim fho hrid bo
man; we always keep the best for extra men;
have been engineer; have run engines about ten
years. it difficult to stop train when the track is wet
and slippery from ten to twelve miles hour would be
safe rate Of speed to round the curve If the train
was running at ten or twelve miles don't think the
the train could be stopped before going over the bridge
with bad track with good dry track it could think
train could be stopped at 500 feet If the men were all
at the brakes 1000 feet would be required in ordinary
cases: train could not be stopped at distance Of twice
its LENGTH and while proceeding at rate of fifteen miles
an hour the brakemen would have work hard at the
brakes while it going at that rate my opinion is
that the engns reversed before it went into the
draw the fireman said 1t reversed think the cause
OF The accident neglect the part Of the eng
it not the duty of the conductor to look out for
signals, although they sometimes do q man running
behind time is removed and another put in his place
when he is behind time he is liable to get excited in his
endeavors to make it if the train does not 90 past
at certain rate of speed the engineer and con-
ductor would be held responsible you could not tell from
the wreck at what rate of speed the engine was going
should judge the engine going at fifteen miles an
hour from the point where she struck the opposite but
ment Of the bridge have not seen any of the brakemen
who were that train since the accident there were
three brakemen have generally three brakemen for
cars, which think would make safe brake I
thiIk signals sufficient unless had signal men
there is doubt that that signal could be if was
properly attended to would have fears in going in
train on this oad under the present regulations dent
think such accident would again in three years
don't think would run into the draw again in
three years.
Edwin Hall Jr., of Norwalk-I was standing on the
bridge when the draw open the train coming,
but frightened that did not it 60 in; saw
two jump off the train before they to the bridge
Aaron Saunders, s1orn-I on the fish market,
which is fifteen twenty rods from the BRIDGE heard
the whistle the train passed the curve; saw the
train, and it going at pretty good gait.
VIM. C. Street. Of Norwak, sworn-I went the track
yesterday morning to at what points ,uld observe
the signal thought could the signal about half
mile from the BRIDGE but found that had mistaken
tree for it, it cloudy at the time, but short time
after when clear, could the signal from the
point conclusion is that the signal Is not high
enough to be except from few points along the
road at the time it erected it may have been high
enough, but the trees have grown up since; do not
think the regulations of the road sufficient for the
safety of passengers If the train going at great
rate Of speed if the train had stopped at the depot,
don't think the accident would have occurred
Nathan Roberts of Norwalk sworn-I was on the dock
about fifteen rods from the bridge and the train it
wis going at the of twenty miles the speed not
mt NJ
man apply the brakes they bew the whistle at the we
which is about sixty yards from the drew;
lying the butment of the bridge when went under it
with boat; saw the ball lowered, and 1t down
about ten minutes don't think there was time to close
the draw after the boat went through in time for the
train Captain Bascom said he thought The train
nearly due at the time.
Phiander P. Coe, of Nerwak sworn-Corroborated the
testimony of Nathan Roberts.
Harvey X. Smith, sworn-I am superintendent Of the
panbury and Norwak Ralrcad do not think over ten
or twelve miles would be safe could not habtually
neglect the rules my road without my knowledge; it
is the business of the conductor to that the engineer
does not 90 at greater rate of speed than is allowed by
the rules he should remorstrate with him, and II he
continued to he should report him to the Supern
tendent; would not consider myself safe train
going the rate of twenty miles hour at this particu
lar curve; but at that time he could not demonstrate
with him. if the engineer going too fast at this or
any other it the duty of the conductor to ring
the bell and Of the engineer to slack up; the curve
think is what engineers weud call four degree curve
1t is difficult to stop engine where the track is
wet the object that mistaken Tor the signal proved
be cedar tree trimmed up but do not think that 1t
could be mistaken by any person for the signal who
| acquainted with the signal.
Thomas White, Of Marlborough, N H., sworn, testified
followsI passenger in the forward passenger
car riding backwards have often been on the road;
should think there Stacking up; the speed was
| high: have travelled on the road great DEAL the
speed around the certainly thirty miles, not
forty the speed could not have been less than thirty
miles should judge to be about that; remarked to
gentleman in the car who understand is lost, that
was afraid would be switched OIL, we were going SO
| powerful this was while we we're turning the curve;
mean by switching that would be thrown OIL there