The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-24
The Case OF the Ship James Chest0n.
[rrom the baltimore American, Nov. %
CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED sTATEF.
Before Chief Justice fancy and Judge Giles.

Before Chief Justice fancy and Judge Giles.
SECOND DAY.
The trial Of Captain Joseph l.. White, indicted on a
charge Of casting away the ship Cheston and
spring to eeiaud sanry insurance companies, was con-
The following witnesses examined by the prosecu
ton.
Chestop she turned back 25h February the
her fair when they turned back they deank The
wafer OF the tank five six days before they turned
back; The weather was fair for Liverpool when they
turned back; the weather fair between the time Of
tuning back and the nay Of abandoning the vessel the
brig Two IIiends in sight early in the day flag of
distress raised It with the Union Gown the flag
raised by the witness by order Of the mate the mate
Chason and four of the left for the Two Friends in
one the boats Of the Cheston the captain said
they would leave the ship, when the mate re-
that 1t nll right; (winess then repeated sundry
c'pversatit ms between the officers and about
moving clothes and provisions; when the captain left
with the sp; the mate responded that they knew what
to do when the captain asked the question he pointed
were 'he ship at the time; when the pumps were
sounded the captain said that there 10 inches Of
water in the vessel heard The captain say that there was
water In the between decks does not know how many
eakks Of water were ,he vessel the water used by
the men paced in barrel by Chason and the cook
the captain and mates together when the boat
ordered be the Two Friends rhe weather
very fine; they making knot knot and half;
1t was about or clock When he left the ship the
sails hanging ~ her; the night afer they left the
chip very dark could tire ship at night and
does not know villa. became of i; the water in
worse knows nothing Of the casks in which the hole
was bored there was only one man sick at the
time the fell from the mzzenmast the vessel did not
leak than other vessels that he had beenen the
ship sucked Of about twelve inches.
cross examined by the deeucee testified before the
Commissioner said that be made the same statement to
him about Captain White stated that the vessel leaked
all the WY from Baltimore that they all the time
81 The pumps, day ard night until they left the ship
said 10 the Commissioner that several Of the
afflicted with beis of duty night in
quence Of a bell on his knee the weather was fair for
WIN fhey tnru fpr non hp
morning they turned, the men constant at the
pumps from Eve until eleven O'Clock before they got her
fee nom water IN the morning they turned for St
Thomas be at the wheel when he heard the
sation between the captain and the mates about leaving
the ship.
by the District Attorney-They were kept at the
pumps MI the time they kept there whether there
was water TO pump not, the mate, Packw,od, gave
orders to r main at the pumps when they were con
only about ten minutes before the vessel sucked
che mate sounded the vessel the morning before they
left her, and said that there thrice inches vater
never saw her sounded when the water above the
sounding rcd
saw The brig; at O'Clock the flag hoisted al
half mast with the Union down; they were all called
deck and asked II they would leave the ship: he
left In the last boat but the mates and two OF the
brigs' seamen the vessel when he left; heard
nose, but could not tell what It was the noise
against the board side he told TO let g. The fore
topsa hayards and let her roll and thst the last he
did the econd mate the order he also let go the
msin torssn balyad by order Of the mate; saw the
pumps unded twice think they showed twelve four
ieen inches; they used The water Of the tank about
week before they left the vessel The water hracksh
there eask nearly full of water, which used
by the officers Captain white until five ak
days after they left the CaIes frequently deck
after that he deck after the vessel changed her
for ~. Thomas.
Py the del. nceThe weather bad after they lett
the CaTes Tie weatl err very heavy; she made
great deal OF water the watch could keep her clean the
pretty good several Of them could sneak
English; several of the Of little account
square rugged vessel II blowing hard the best time
they her; has been several new ships this
one leaked more than any new ship he saw; The
leaking owing 10 the bad weather; the pumps we're
goirg AL the time.
enough; they constantly At the pumps; frequently
STOPPED because the pumps sucked the mates would
sing ard pump away does OF know why they were con
statty at the pumps; knows nothing OF the log book;
do net hear conversation between the CAPTAIN AMI
mates about abandoning the vessel.
fy the defercefumps sometimes suck when the YES.
sel y rolling and the next moment throw mp water
William Devonhill sworn--He deck NJ eight
TO the eeward at O'Clock told get the boas
OUT the mates went TO the other vessel; after they
came back the captain called all hands deck and
asked them II they would leave the vessel the captain
said they had better leave than sink with the ship the
officers appeared anxious that the vessel should come
nearer the pumps sounded, and sho we'd sixteen
inches OF water; tho water braskish most Of tae
ships company were afflicted with bots; one was
laid up 70, night he left with the first boat with pro-
visions: the captain gave reason far leavug the
vessel that ahe was leaking and that the water
bIackisb.
Ry The defence-The day after they cf, the canes the
weather fair; after that II heavy until they turn
ed for S. Thomas; several OF the could not under
stand orders: the not ~ to ransgc the vessel
Ny the District Atnrx ey-The could manage the
vessel but IL might be better maaagsd lett in the last
boat hut one; len the mates board; heard humping
noise board the mates down below At the time