The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-12

The curve In case he had mot previously ascsrtsnsd that
the signal Of safety on the bridge at masthead
The directors might enlarge upon the security of the
that IL the result of experience and nvesrs
ton and that the contingencies under which any acct
dent could occur wore so few and Of such and
unaccountabs occurrence that they had no question AZ
70 its proprety But this inappropriate at this
time, when they feel a. deeply any DO how easily
thougheaness and inatsntion of single man. perfectly
acquainted with his duty and able TO perform ii.
their belief Of the Of the catastrophe Of Friday
last. They now submit the grounds upon which they do
qualhed for his duties and his appointment by the su
peiintendent perfectly justifasle.
Mr. Tucker was employed as engineer upon the road
at or abou the time of its first opening. by Mason
Esq then Chief Engineer and Superintendent He had
been previously employed upon the Western Raroad in
which he then had In his possession was one from the
late Major George W. Whistler who previous to his de-
parture Russia was Chief Engineer and Superintend
ant Of that road The following Is copy of the letter
of Major Whistler -
ESaISEzRs OFFICE, w.R.Ro
Mr.. W. Tucker has been employed on the western
Railroad Tor some time, as engineman, he is fully
station, and in all respects most worthy man.
1most cheerfully recommend him as such,
Mr.. Tucker Immediately commenced running as engine
upon the road and continued to do So With the en-
tire satisfaction and with the appreciation Of the superin
chester and wch In the winter Of the cir
cumstances OF which follows An ACCIDENT had
which had r,uch delayed and dsranged the other tsas
upon the roedthey all out OF time. The Last train
out OF New York run by Ar Tucker overlook the one
next proceeding Il at New Rochelle or Msmsroneck so
that the conductors had communication with each other
When Mr. fuckers train had stopped at Portchester
and discharged its passengers he ordered by his
conductor TO proceed. He expressed his willingness
to go for the reason that he believed he would
ming on the time OF the downward train The conductor
then assured him that he had sent message by the
conductor Of the preceding train to the conductor
OF the downward uan that he should follow immediate
y and requesting the downward conductor to stop back
at Greenwich, and again directed Mr. Tucker to 60
He did then go on and collision ensued, by which Mr..
Tucker was very seriously ured. The conductor
doubtedly attempted to send message he stated and
supposed he had but the bearer did not understand it.
and did not communicate it. The conductor discharg
ed being the Of the collision his apology was
merely an attempt to his Judgment in violation
Of the regulations of the superintendent.
The engineer Tucker held free from fault for the
reason that the conductor is the responsible party for
stopping and starting the train at stations and rucSers
fears quieted by the that had
been sent which made all SAFE
BE remained suffering from his injury, and being
roads where are injured in discharge Of their
duty and without fault, until October 1851, when the
case by letter from his brother MshIy
genteman in Massachusetts, who expressed the opinion
that his lameness the result Of the injuries received BY
the collision in all probability permanent and AID
disable him from ever again running as engineer.
The subject was presented By the President to the
Board and the following extracts from their record will
show what action taken by them
At meeting of the Board holden 23d October. 1851.
the President reported that it is represented that Mr.
Tucker, engineer who running locomotive en-
gne the road at the time Of the collision Green
vch s stl suffering from the consequence Of injuries
he was not ut all In fault. s W
"Whereupon motion. Resolved That the subject be
referred to Mcfsrs Sanford and Suges to inquire
the condition Of Mr.. Tucker and the circumstances Of
his INJURIES and recommend to this Board at their next
meeting such action on the subject they think
At the next meeting Of the Board on the 18th Nov
1851 Mr. Sanford reported that he had had interview
with NJ Tucker, the engineer who was injured at the
time of tho collision Greenwich last winter and finds
that he very eriousy injured and that he Is still suf
iring from that injury, and unable do BY way
OF supporting hmse and recommended that gratuity
be presented 10 Mr. Tucker aid Ia his support during
his inability
Resolved That Mr. Teckcr paid his wages as engineer
M the d he M 5sssvng M the aa %e S M
time able to hi. duties engineer his connection
@ Be- as ss said years
He was paid the mentioned in the above rcsolu-
ton and left the cowpany's smployment for tho pur
employ for the duties Of which his lameness would
not incapscitate him; and nothing known Of
three months since he accidentally the cars
by the superintendent who observing to him that he
Feared quite well he replied that he had almost entirely
recovered from his lareness, ard thinking Of engag
ing again as running engineer. The Superintendent ap-
pecated highly his general character for intelligence
sobrety caefulness and good Judgment that he volun
teered at to say that if he wished to engine
be would be very glad to employ him he about to
increase the number of trains upon the road and he
then sgain employed. And the Superintendent
and Superintendent OF Motive Power, who is brought
most directly in with the engnemen and enabled
TO judge of their capacity sobrety and judgment
both that previous to this accident they had had
occasion to select for any difficult and dangerous
watchulness required this is Of the whom
they would have first selected for such duty and yet he
awful results.
word in relation to the fact that he was not the
guler eDgneman of the train. The enginemen on this
road make daily Of about $50 miles, which Is
than Is required the railroad generally aud Is too
much for to do constantly 1t is therefore arranged
thar about once week each one OF the regular engine
lies of cay, and to meet this these extra men,
who are considered to be equal in all respects to the best
and familiar with all the rules all the trains
employed who take in turn the place of either Of the
gular men for day.
Tucker was acting as of these extra mea and on
this particular day the regular engneman OF the train
had leave to be of for the day. for the purpose OF moving
his family, and Tucker, as regular extra man.
He acknowledges I now that he was perfectly familiar
with all the rules and regulations of the road and the
10 seeing the eisna if it had been or in recognizing
the fact of its ABSENCE that he had time tables in his
pocket and others were in box on ts engine that he
perfectly familiar with their contents but by
strange fatality he believes much he believed that
he was eHve, that he the signal though he is
forced TO the copcusion by the contrary evidence of
such number OF PERSONS that he must have been mis-
taken
These the simple facts regard to Mr.. Tucker and
MS eoipecuon Win lne company auu Win the nepora
BILE catastrophe of Friday last.
The officers Of the com 1auy feel no disposition TO
themselves from any responsibility that may justly fall
upon them BY casting cebsure upon others. They feel
too much humiiiaed by the fact that their system,
which they confidently believed to be than ord
rary safe and safely administered has proved insult
cen to prevent such most disastrous aud awful result
to set themselves up judges TO the individuals
upon whom the responsibility should fall. they leave
that duty to the public and those public authorities
whose province 1t decide Bf order of the Directors
ROBERT SCHUYLER, President
May IL, 1863.
New York md New Haven Railroad Company.
The annual election for directors of this company takes
place this day. in Canal street. at II o'clock 1t due to
the public that change be made in the direction and
that President be chosen who will give his whole time