The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-07
ARMY 1rrrExLrGRycH.
TRIAL OF MAJOR WISE DY COURT MARTIAL.
noRE TESTIMONY AroyT TIN FALCON.
RESULTING EVIDENCE or THE PROSECUTION.
FOURTH DAY.

1 FOURTH DAY.
The Court met at ten O'Clock yesterday morning and
all the members being present the testimony defence
| was resumed ms follows
TESTIMONY or WILLIAM VI. MYRRy
William H. Merry, having been duly svorn deposed as
| follows on the direct examination
| Question What is your profession9
Answer Az present surveyor and inspector or vessels
| for the New York Mutual Insurance Co.
| Q Have you any knowledge of tho steamer Falcon,
\ aud II So wbat2
| A. have examined hor; have not made particular
examination OF her since she was here my last date
was february, 1850 Inever considered ler first class
vessel at the time she built thought her frame
light end unsuffcicntIy fastened
@ What would be the natural effect upon the strength
OF the irame Of going steamer to constantly
| in rouph seas for eight yearsY
A. II would rack her less the effect would
depend on her original strength vessel the
ia g n built as she originally was it would pretty nearly
Q Prom what you know of the Falcon do you not re.
| ea.d her as pretty much worn outs
4. should think So
Q. Was she built originally with her front deck cabin
| on les main dcckf
c. What is the effect Of this deck cabin on her
strength and sailing qualities and the safety of her pas
A. It would strain the hul the hull would feel the ef
feet of it. and az general rule these deck cabins
| safe, even in sailing vessels.
q What would hnve been the condition Of this steam
er IN your Sp,nsn IN her recent voyage with her en-.
revolutions in minute II she had been overtaken by
/ severe stofml
a IN tbat condition and with her uSuficiency
yass she might have gone TO the hottom-in all robab
| ity she would have been lost.
Q. What the reputation Of the Falcon as a sea-
worthy vessel among nautical men, previous to her recent
| return from sea?
A. have heard but little said of her lately but four
years ago considered her doubtful risk by the ma
jorty of surveyors in Wall streeta heard express
the opinion at that timeshe looked upon .
! pcious vessel.
| Cross eSamned.-Q. Do you know what repairs have
been put upon her. what is her present conditions
| A. ] Jaw her two months ago; she undergoing
va haya nf ufnav
CTS, whose special business 1t is, and do not
amine them as formerly; the steamer inspector is
O. Are there many steamers of the structure as
| the Falcon in the Atlantic coast trader
A. think not; the Crescent City might be, but
rather think she better built steamer than tho
Falcon speak of the hull and not in reference to top
hamper.
| O. How about top hampers Are all the steamers like
her. the Falcon, in that respectY
| others these are all that call to mind now.
q In regard to your opinion of her danger at In O
storm, with crippled engines, did you she would
he more likely to the bottom than other vessels Of
the ihs psI hnd Ibad pPdeT nd like circumstances.
U Explain what is meant in your books by class 3,
A. Here is paper which explains mode Of classif
cation.
The following is copy of the paper handed by the
witness TO the Judge Advocate
MEMORANDUM OF THE NEW SYSTEM OF CLAssIFICA-
OF STEAMERS.
Cass .seagoiug steamers having two engines and suf
Glass 3 seagoing steamers having engine and suf-
cient spread OF
Class g. seagong steamers having two engines and in
| sufficient spread of canvass.
Class :, cing steamers having engine and insult
Class s. steamers wholly navigating sounds lakes and
rivers, or such as by their construction are only
| adapted TO such navigation
Tie rates in each class 20 from / to A 8, by
hnl,es cnly ard to depend the following conditions,
added to those of ordinary consideration viz
Security Of openings In bottom OF hull.
Security 81 propeller bearing and ruddcr post
II the hull Is coppered.
Construction and location Of boilers
II stted with blge injections and independent steam
The underlning Of rate by two lines (). signifies
that the rate is between that and the grade below It.
TIE rates for security and provisions against fire
three viz. Good Indifferent and insufficient and will
Depend upon the character and condition OF lining to
chimney rooms. coating Of boilers use of blowers and
beng provided with independent steam fire pufaps.
Notes Steamers the to their intended route
VIII hereafter receive rate for the sea risk in addition
In tie case Of steamers upon distant stations the ex
isting character cf the security and provisions against
CHAs. H. HAswEIL, surveyor
Testimony resomed-Q. What is the class Of this
Glass; 3, ~, with two dashes under the =, which
indicates that she is between that and the lower
or 2, with the remark, "secury and provisions
| against fire Indifferent
| Q. When was she marked in your books as A1lss
A. When new never considered her first class vessel
rattd her Ia but in reality considered her no better
than 2; the steamers ten Ia their infancy,
and at the time rated her did not wish to insure her.
O. 10 you know how many steamers are in that line
| from this port to the Istlmus9
| a. don't know; seven or eight, more
| Q 10 you know how many II any, Of them rank on
the insurance books at or about / x
A. think none of that line stand l in HasweIl's
classification the Illinois stands No. With mo- in my
| judgment.
O. Was the classification of the Falcon on your books
made any application to your occ for insurance
| her.
A. Mo- business is get the information so as to
be ready If application Tor insurance should be made.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN R. CRANE.
John r. Crane being for the defence, 'estaicd
1 follows on direct eyaminaton:-
/ Q. What IL your rrofes sions
A. At present inspector the Astor Insurance Com
! pony for marine insurance.
Q. Have you any knowledge Of the steamer Faleonsif
so, WHAT
A. knew but little of her till 1851: she was on the
dock repairing and me:airg thought her then not
than q second class vessel: examined her minute
y and found her slghtly built lightly fastened she
had large hips logs her bilgcs and large upper
cabins her upper deck considered her second rate
vessel and classcd her on books. n November,
1851 have very little OF her since that time.
q. From your own knowledge OF this steamer do you
| not regard her pretty much worn OUT
| A. should think she wac
Q. What was the reputation Of this steamer among
nautical men as worthy vessel, previous to her
| recent return from gcaS
a. Wen they considered her very bad risk they think
she stands as low any steamer Of that line that Is
her general reputation know steamer that stands
/ lower
A. Not Of my knowledge, but from hcarsay
\ she was commenced In 1s47 and finished IN 1s47
As the defence stated at this stage Of the examination
that they had citizen witnesses In attendance and as
they bad other testimony to present the Court said that
rebutng evidence would be offered for the prosecu
ucn The witnesses being in court the examination
proceeded with In due form.
TESTIMONY or JOHN DDsoS.
| John Dimon witness for the prosecution being duly
sworn, testified follows his direct cxamlnaton
Question. Have you done any work, ship car
pentcr, TO the Falconsif 30, when and what her
condition when she last went to far you know
Answer. Ihave done work on her ship carpenter
for several years since 1850 last time previous TO her
sailing her last voyage my impression that shc
went to sea in good condition; she had leak and
employed by the TO discover IT, had occasion TO
cut and found her tmbers where perfectly sound
q. What Is your businessY
A. l am OF the firm Of Smith Dmon, ship builders.
O. Had your firm instructions TO put the Falcon In
good order for sea service ~ far a. relates to the ship
i kns,a xrnxl MI dross doa