The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-06

FALCON among nautical men, . ssawerthy vessel,
previous to her recent return from seaf
A. Very bad indeed.
O. Did Ms or Wyse consult you in reference TO the
character the Falcon previous to her recent departure
A. Maj wyse spoke to at the Aston House, previous
70 her going away it i've days before she
o What would be the natural consequences upon the
sailing this steamer Of this upper hamper which has
put upon the main deck and would increase the
danger 10 her passengers in storm?
a. think il would very much indeed. Ishouh not
want 10 be of her passengers she had bad storm.
TESTIMONY OF N. d. PALMER.
This witness being sworn testified follows
Question. How long have you been sea captain from
A. About thirty years.
O. What the reputation of the Falcon as sea-
worthy vessel among nautical men, previous to her re-
cent return from sea-
A should say ii was decidedly bad.
TESTIMONY or WILLIAM X. GARDINER.
William X. Gardiner, witness for the defence sworn
testified as follows -
Question. What is your profession9
O. What was the reputation of the steamer Falcon
a. ssaworthy vessel among nautical men, previous 70
A. know more of her character in New Orleans than
here have not heard so much Of her here there ner
O Have YOU ever commanded steamboat IL so how
longY
ON them as commander two or three times
Y. What the condition OF the Faicon ~ new VI
leans, and TO what time do you referY
A. November last; she was then very leaky, and un
derstood captain she was coming home to make
the repairs; she was then running between
TESTIMONY OF JOHN J. BOYD.
This witness being sworn for Defence testified fol-
lows:-
Question--what is your professiong
Answcr-Shipbroker and ship owner.
O. How long have you been shipping merchant in New
A. Ihave been connected with commerce in the city Of
New York for the last thirty five years.
@ Do you know Captain Nathaniel Palmer and If 50,
ie ufiuUa ANTI md fha
mercial circles Of New York;
A. do; he stands of the highest grade Few, if any
Of his class stand higher in New York.
O. When the machinery of a steam vessel has under
gone repairs somewhat extensive is it not customary to
test her by trial trip before sending passengers to sea
A. Ihave always understood So and known such
practice.
Have you been in the habit of furnishing transport
for the the navy2 and please state what class
Of vessels the government always requireY
A. have not been in the habit l have occasionally
applied to get transportation and have invariably been
told that an No. / vessel would be required.
TESTIMONY OF A. c. BURGESS.
Andrew c. Burgess being sworn for Defence testified
Question. What is your professionP
Acting Port Warden Of the city and county
O. How are you appointed to the Office Of Port wardens
A. BY the Governor and Senate of New York.
O. What your official duties?
A. To examine hus vessels damaged goods arriving
n New York, the stowage Of vessels, &c
@ Have you any knowledge OF the steamship FaiconY
If 20, what do you know OF her
A. We made q survey of her, wardcns of the city,
the day May found her knees sprung that
the vessel had been strained and several Of
were weiged about half inch wedges in be-
tween the knees and main deck; she has had upper
deck cabin built her since her original finish; she
has logs termed hips fastened her sdss to give her
additional BEAM to enable her TO sustain the additional
weight added to her deck in opinion the up
per deck Top hamper, causes vessels to labor and
strain more than they otherwise would as far we could
examine without opening boring the tmbcrs appeared
sound; TO enable it be ascertaned more certainy-the
soundncss of the vessest would be necessary TO dis
charge her coal and take her out of the water
Q. What is the thickness Of the bulwarks above the
main deck? A. should think three qna ter inch stuff
the siding i Is termed that portion on saw Is not
O. Were these sides or bulwarks tight or did you dis
openings in them A. did in the larboard side,
forward of the head BERTH splits in the boards and
pieces out; there would get wet in a rough sea-
ths the berth deck where passengers Sleep in the
portion that has been added to herr not speaking
Of the main hull.
O. Were the officers on board the vessel unloading her.
IN order TO take her into the dry Dock A. They were
ways for repairs.
d What would have been the condition of the passen-
gers occupying the deck saloons in case Ok severe sogm
at sea- and with only enough on her engines to
give her wheels four and half revolutions per minuteY
rst that and she aborng without power in her
engine would have taken oil her upper deck and every
body III the San Francisco in respect Of safety in
storm, perfect palace TO her.
Question by Member Of the Court-fiad she canvass
s s'sss to lie to without the aid her engines in
y. what was the reputation Of the Falcon as a sea-
worthy vessel among nautical men, previous to her recent
return from gear
A. Very bad.
oss-examined-Q What service has the Falcon been
A. Running between New Orleans and Cha~res and As
pinwal, conveying passengers and occasionally making
trips to New York via Havana 49,.
In the state and circumstances you speak OF, aooat
the upper decks and hirsS
O. 10 you know if she has encountered stornss
A.. L
O what is the character of that navigation Are the
stormy those shewouh navigate from here to
the Isthmus?
A. About as rough any seas. would as lief
cross the Atlantic except for the time The time Of
days, believe. l commanded government steamer in
the Gulf during the Mexican war
O. Was the Falcon in respect OF upper deck like other
in the trade between this port and New Or
leansY
built with the vessel and framed to the huh.
O. In respect Of that difference only, which is the
ssfesY
A. The vessel which has cabin framed into the hull and
built with it.
O BY Court.-Are there many steamers in the harbor
of New York which have sails enough in gale or Storm
independent Of steam, to navigate with safety
A. think not; my impression is, none Of them carry
sails enough without steam.
O by Court--How does the Falcon compare in canvass
with other steamers of her CLASSY
A. think she has less than other steamers OF her
Q by Major wyse.-would not those rough voyages,
continually made for seven or eight years. naturally
out and weaken the hull of this vessel to considerable
extent2
A. Very much
TESTIMONY OF WIN. W. sTORER
William W. Storer being sworn for the defence testified
~ follows
Question. What is your profession
A. Shipmaster-at present holding the appointment
Of Master Port Warden at this port from the Governor
and Senate Of this State.
O. Have you any knowledge of the steamer Falcon,
and If so, what
A. was called upon by Major wyse to examine the
Fslcon did the "a NAY; am opposed TO all these
upper decks; they all unsafe have built steam
ship and have sailed in them and in sailing ships;
ahisl rpn1r aels ronaar 20 nsaa naa.