The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-10

send the Falcon to again in her present condition.
regular passenger boat your line, do you intend
10 keep her as q relief boat?@
We intend to send her to relieve the United States
ana to run from New Orleans to Aspinwal y regular
passenger steamer the United States has been running
near year. what she will be sent the directors have
not determined, but within the next three months
O. By the Court-Is the prohibition in regard to the
inspectors of the marine insurance companies going
board the Falcon of which you have spoken general
notwithstanding particularly to the time after her last
return from scar
A. No; we have made no special prohibition in that
sense
Q. By Mr. Major Myself the valves were ground
were in perfect state, what in your opinion was the
cause Of this arrangement during her late voyageS
A. Icannot account for 1T have the engineer in chief
bere TO explain that.
TESTIMONY OF W. b. sKIDMoRE.
William B. Skidmore witness for the prosecution hay
ing been sworn testified as follows
o. You chief engineer of the United States Mail
A. Yes, my business is to superinteud the engineer
ships ships '1' $40 ' - A'' 3 = go any q 'n'
q. Did you superintend the repairs in your depart
mena Of the Falcon put her in good order for scar
@ Did you consider her sent in complete order
Q. Did you consider her proper seaworthy steamsrY
A. did and do.
9 Have you examined her since her returns
A. Yes; so far belongs to the engineers depart
ment, not with her engine In motion
sea tor
g Was she right in all other respectss
A. Yes.
Q. How did that happens
:, Here the witness explained by means Of diagram,
that the bonnet ought to have been screwed the bot
tom Of the steam chest with three-eghth joint pack
ing but 1t was put with scant quarter il is proba
BILE steam escaped there and in screwng up bottom
to prevent that the valve stem which the thin packing
may have brought before too the bonnet lifted
80 as to lift the valve out of it's seat the valves had been
ground and fitted and made work before the vessel
sailed and If this, which have explained, the only
1t been known have been in Ave minutes
wish to explain that this packing is India rubber and
such packing needs screwing and tightening up occa
sonally.
Cross. examnation-Q Have you ever stated since the
return Of the Falcon that her valve stem too long
and that these valve stems among the put
in just before she sailed
A. stated that that fetched up in the bottom of the
seat and were too long in some of the new valve stems
O. Have you stated to any one since the return of the
Falcon from that the valves Of the steam chest
never properly ground down?
A. No, sir.
O. Did you not state this to Major wyse and Mr.. An.
drews, his counsel on board the Falcon day two
after she returned?
A. can't say that did turned the valves ov.r and
showed them where they leaked, but think said
all valves leak more or less.
TESTIMONY OF r. W. SLATER.
Thomas Slater witness for the prosecution, being
sworn, testified as follows
O. Were you the workman who repaired the valves Of
the steam chest Of the Falcon before she sea
lastS
A. Yes.
O. Were they ground and fitted, and in proper order
for servce9
oss-examined-Q. Why did not these valves fit at
sea- 50 as to answer the purpose for which they de-
A. don't know; the valve motion might get disar-
ranged in some way.
MR.. sKIDMoRE RECALLED TO TESTIFY.
BY the defence, Mr. Sidmore witness, recalled at
this stage of the proceedings.
g By Major wyse-supposing this defect in the valves
to have arisen from in the grinding of the
valves could the necessary repairs be made at and
how long would it take9
A. About three days, by stopping the engine and
Of such repairs at sea-
TESTIMONY OF ROBERT CRAIG.
Robert Craig here called by the prosecute and
being sworn, testified follows -
O. Did you superntend the repairs of the valves the
Falcon steam chest in the Neptune Iron Works before
A. Yes of all the repairs put on her machinery under
the supervision Of the engineer Of the company Skid
more.
O. Did you examine the valves before they were put
on, and did they fit properly
A. examined them, and found them properly ground
and fitted.
O. Was her machinery in all parts put in seaworthy
A. considered it so when she left the establishment
Q. Have you examined her since her return2
A. No.
TESTIMONY OF JAMES F. scHENcK.
schepcs, Lieutenant in the United States Navy,
ton. His testimony AZ follows
Q Are you acquainted with the steamer Falcon If
A. have known the ship for Eve years past, and I
have found her qualities excellent.
Q. Is she q strong hull?
A. Yes think so; from her qualities as sea vessel
there is less and tear her than many Others
think her the easiest steamer at sea know Of
other steamers who two years younger than she.
O. How is her spread of canvass?
A. She has more than ordinary steamers of her
sze and tonnage she has in proportion TO her ton
mage than either three steamers have commanded.
O. Are you going TO sea in command Of her9
A. have been offered the command of her; mean to
accept il; know her qualities having sailed in her
less since 40 with View to observe and study
navigation have ded other vessels Of same line
the Ohio the Fl Dorado and the Crescent City, consi
dered the Falcon better vessel than either of them
also sailed in an English West India mail steamer-the
than the Thames the topgaant, forecastle and poop
cabin the Falcon when sailed in her; have
her when furnished a: now with all the present top
make TO in the Ohio lido not that she stronger
built than other vessels; but by her good qualities,
her safety in storm her facility Of laying to and
riding out storm.
Q-Has shs too much top hamper for safety at sea9
A.-Not to affect her safety, but II does affect her
speed going against the wind
Cross examned-Q. Have you ever critically examined
the hull OF the Falcon by going down into her hold and
A. No. was present at the inspection lately made by
the Port wardens who testified here went down below
go into every part Of her; they went where did not
went as a mere matter Of curiosity.
Question by tie Court-How do the steamers Ohio FL
Dorado and Crescent City compare with the steamers
George Law and IllinpisY
A. have not sailed in the George Law and Illinois
they modern built steamers, and at this time
no doubt better ships and worth more money than
the others.
Question by the Court-po you consider the Falcon
first class steamer perfectly able to weather the usual
gales Incidental 10 the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of
MexicoY
A. consider her perfectly capable OF weathering any
gale of wind in the Gulf Of Mexico else for
safety think her first class ship but not In respect Of
speed size &C. in these respects consider she is not
equal to the George Law and the Illinois but for safety
consider her equal to them and indeed SUPERIOR she
has been pet ship in the line with commanders and
owners, because steamer Of her fine qualities
lieves y commander from the he would have in
tcklsh ship and with the from the regular work
and profit she gives them this last results from her good
qualities, from this that they keep her at
hard and constant work being reliable ship, they
keep her longer at work
O. BY the Court-I called 10 state your opinion OF
the Falcon previous TO her late trip would have
said what you state respecting her seaworthnes
A. Most decidedly and the late trip does not affect my
judgment of her