The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-27

first lieutenant, all hands being then on deck;
went forward on the forecastle. and had the sea
the bow; that anchor was afterwards hove up, and
the ship was either warped or drfed In towards the
land into FIVE fathoms OF wster where the anchor
was again let go. and the ship aboas
ance; during the night, several pilots came OF with
| lighters, cables and ancbors an unsuccessful at
tempt Was made to heave the ship clear Of the reef
when she was again brought into deep water; on
was made and there she lay until, think by Capt.
Downing's order, channel was sounded and
buoy ed out to the anchorage of Pernambuco, by
officers attached to the ship, through which she WAS
safely taken.
In reply to queries by the Cour. the witness said:
At the time she struck Capt owning took all pro-
per precautions to prevent further injury to the yes
sci; think there was want OF proper prudence In
approaching the land 80 near, and without being
perfectly aware Of the set Of the current and tide II
any nnd having the anchors secured for sea, no
cables bent, and no leads In the chains; no sound.
ings were had during my watch; the anchors were
not ready, nor any other precautions taken that
am aware of: 1t was, however, not usual on board
the jamestown, except when going into port. to
take these precautions except in lacking, which was
not done on this occasion.
Pending this testimony the darkness OF the room
gave indication that another shower OF rain WAS at
hand. The president looked at his watch, and
without any apparen; intention of rhyming, said
If we havea shower
Well sit another hour.
Witness continued-It was about fifteen
minutes before the ship struck that ! re-
ported the breakers on the lee bow to Captain
Downing; think II the ship had then been put
about she would not have grounded; no order was
given by Captain Downing to have leadsman in
the chains; my own impression was that the appa
rent breaking of the water was cansed by freshen.
ing OF the breeze, and not caused by actual eak-
ers; believe that the grounding Of the jamestown
was caused by the tide or current gradually setting
the ship In shore. by her going through the water
slower and the wind scant; did not send lead in
to the chains myself, because, as have previously
stated, did not conceive the appearance Of the
water TO indicate shoal, and the cap
tain had informed me that the shore was
bold and the bottom clean there was
no necessity for the ship going so near the shore,
and she might have gone about the other tack if
the order had been given in time; the taking Of
cross bearings, would have given. an idea
of her siding towards the shore; at the time
the jamestown left Buen0s Ayres the city
was still in state Of siege; ! knew very little
about the state of affairs, and had no idea how long
the beseging army would remain before the city so
sthat could not say whether it was necessary for
the ship to remain or mott Coe was looked upon by
me as a traitor from the first time he came on
board: never bad anything to say to him myself,
and portion of the officers acted towards him as
did, while others had communication with him;
Commodore Coe twice visited the ship to my know
ledge: the first time he made an official visit soon
after he appeared before Buenos Ayres with his
squadron; the second time was before he turned
over the squadron; think the jamestown could
have remained at Buenos Ayres without receiving
material injury from the want of caulking.
The following evidence was ELECTED by queries
ceived from Mr.. De Haven that boat and brew
sent for provisions to the Boca, were taken prison
ers by Gen. Uruqxa's forces; Mr.. Holmes accom-
panied Mr.. De Haven, and also informed me about
when one Of crew had some difficulty with one Of
the soldiers Of the outside party under Urquiza, and
this resulted In the seizure Of the whole party; the
sailor was drunk, end abused the soldier; the on.
GERS and men were taken to the guard house, and
possession taken Of the boats the party was liberia
ted by the officer in charge; ] understood from
Capt. Downing that there was no danger Of going
ashore s when reported the appearance Of the wa
bold; the Quartermaster said Capt. Downing gave
the oIder to put the helm down at the time the ship
struck.
The evidence here closed, and the court I'D.
jolrned.
SEVENTEENTH DAY.
PHILADELPHIA, July Is, 1854.
The Court re-assembled this morning, and pro.
ceeded to the examination of Midshipman James
c. Walker, who served on board the jamestown.
He deposed as follows:-I was ordered by Captain
Downing to take charge Of the gig for the purpose
of bringing Commodore Coe on board the James
town; took him from the flag ship Correo on board
days, and then took passage in an American
schooner to Montevideo; he also took passage in
the jamestown to Rio, but, being sick at the time,
know nothing Of the particulars; went with Mr.
Pendleton to General Urquiza TO make arrange
ments for supply Of provisions; Mr.. Pendleton
made an arrangement which Capt. Downing object
ed to, and employed ST. Clair for the purpose;
know that Simonds and Carroll left the jamestown
at Norfolk, but know nothing Of the crcum-
stances attending their desertion; know that the
Jamestown proceeded to Rio, touching at Montevi.
Geo; the jamestown left Buenos Ayres for the pur-
pose of being recaulked; the WaterWitch towed the
Jamestown over the fats for eight or ten miles on
the occasion Of her leaving Buenos Ayres
In reply to queries by the Court, the witness
stated as follows When l went on board the
Coneo for Coe, many Of the men were intoxicated,
and the grog tab was sitting on the deck there
seemed to be very good feeling existing between
the Commodore and his officers ana men l was on
he took leave Of The officers, many Of them expressed
q wish to sail with him again there was but one
order given by Commodore Coe while l was on
board the Coneo the Captain of one Of the
small steamers hailed the Commodore to know
what he should do, and the reply was to fol-
low the motions of the Captain Of tue Correo
at this time most Of the vessels, except the
MERGED, the small steamer and the Correo, were
either under way or already inside of the river;
manner; reported to Capt. Downing, on return.
ing on board, everything that fell under my obser-
vation, with the exception Of the order given to
the Captain of the Merced, which repeated to him
some days Afterwards, before VIC left Buenos Ayres,
but after Zoe had left the ship; on the passage
frcm the Correo to the jamestown, he Informed
me that Urquiza had threatened to send battalion
of infantry board to seize the ships; he also said
that his men had determined upon going over to the
inside party; he said he might have prevented it,
but il would have been at great sacrifice of life;
heard no threats n I'd on board the Correo TO NAL
treat Coe or injure him in any way; at the time I
carried Coe on bead the jamestown, did not be-
iieve him TO be traitor but thought him o perse-
onted man. my contrary belief afterwards was
occasionei BY the reports in circulation after
be left the jamestown there was a
report in circulation before Coe went over. that if
Uiquiza got him into bis power, he would shoot.
him; carried message 10 Capt Downing from Mr..
Ptndeton, in relation TO the supply Of provisions;
II was to the effect that the provisions were TO be
lat a,t1 nf,. nat Inn