The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-09

TRIAL OF MAJOR WISE by COURT MARTIAL.
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MORE TESTIMONY OF THE PROSECUTION.
FIFTH DAY.

FIFTH DAY.
Court met at O'Clock yesterday morning pursu
ant to adjournment, and all the members being present,
to the examination of witnesses for the prose
cution as follows
TESTIMONY OF ISAAC W. AYRE.
Isaac W Ayre testified follows on his direct exami.
nation
Q. State your business9
A. ! am an engineer, of the firm of Mott 4 Ayres.
q How long have you been in that profession
A. Twenty eight
q. Did you examine the engine Of the ralcong II so
when, and what did you find her condition.
A: did examine her partially, Wednesday Of last
week, think; found no important break down about
the engine; discovered, far could see other
rar of her engine defective except the valves of the
steam chest; only Of the steam chests open
the valve of its seat about fourth part
an inch when cold that would make a considerable
leakage and the lifting the valve would be very likely
10 be increased by the expansion OF the valve STEM
when heated.
O. Gould this valve have been in place and the engine
so far as depended lit have worked well for timer
A. Thai would depend upon the Of its being up.
In fitting the valve and its seat together in the
Of repairs the from carccssness may not be
executed TO leave the surfaces in contact true cir
Gle but the high part of the may lit in the low
part Of the eoncaye, and the fit may be close but after
wards In the working of the engine the valve may
round the seat and the high parts OF the low surfaces
Of the valve and its seat The explanation supposes the
opening lifting the valve 10 depend the surfaces
and not on the length Of the valve stem.
q. How long would II take TO remedy the defect in
and second II from the length of the valve STEM
A. In the first case 1t would take three days in the
second one day.
q Could those repairs be made at sea-
A. Yes, IL the vessel could lay to- they have the
and conyeniences for such repairs ut They would
Of course have had TO put out the fires let oil all the
steam. and take that part of the machinery apart.
O. Was or not in your Judgment, except In the par
tcuar you describe the engine OF the Falcon In
thy orderg
A. saw nothing 10 indicate that II was not in sea.
worthy order, except on that point.
Cross.exnmincd.-Q Were the valves OF this engine
originally impcrfectS
a. That is a difficult question. I suppose they were
originally perfect, when rsi made. Whether they were
perfect when the vessel left port her last voyage
cannot say, but think not.
q Was the engine OF the Falcon IN foul condition
generality
A. The engines looked quite dirty and about the en-.
gines generally but that Is frequently and indeed al
ways the case, after voyage before they have been
cleaned up.
O In your opinion, would proper trial trip have
vealed this defect in her valves and should trial
have been made before sending the Falcon TO with
500 passengers3
A. Under certain circumstances; where important
moving parts the correct action Of which is necessary
to the working OF engine, have been replaced
paired, when general ovorhaung, taking 70 pieces
and fitting up Of engine have been made trial trip
is in Judgment necessary and ia generally made bat
there are many partial repairs In which such IL not
ses2as! Whefe isolated parts are repaeei Aa b.aAsa