The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-31


duty OF persons, under such circumstances to rem
der assistance to the woanded was two or three
hours in assisting took no part In the meeting;
was anxious 10 find cut the cause or the accident,
and going into the saloon saw number Of per-
sons there congegated who said that one OF the
Cineers had tola them the boilers were defective
some one said we had better ask the engineer whe-
Their he had said so when gentleman came forward
and said than he had talked with the engineer about
the boiler aud that he had said 1t was defective |
asked Que OF the crew what was the of the
boiler tarstng, when he said that there was some
defect in it; ! think the gentleman who said
the engineer told him the boiler was defective was
named Colburn; do not know where he lives; it
seemed TO me {, be generally known among the
hands of the boat that the boilers defective;
that was my impression, and should do vio-
lence 10 my feelings If | did not state So
i had no conversation with the engineer myself
about halt an hour previous to the starting Of the
State Of Maine, got into conversation with man,
who was apparently mechanic he said that he
and some other men had come up TO mend the very
boiler that bursted he sad that his boss
was one OF the injured ne said that they had tink
cred the boiler quite often he said he did not want
every 10 hear him talk SO have no knowledge
of boilers and do not know but what this tinkering,
ar he called it, was quite common there was only
one passenger on board that recognise, and he
was informed left the State of Maine at Newport;
the name OF this person was Scudder; the inn
preston got from these gentlemen was, that the
boilers were defective understood that they were
about year old.
morning al o'clock, account OF the absence Of the
officers and crew Of the Empire State, who we're not
expected from New York until Tuesday morning.
TUESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
July 29.-The inquest was resumed this morning,
when Capt Benjamin Breyton, of the steamboat En-
pire State, beirg duly sworn, deposed that he had
been In command Of the boat for six years and hail.
was on board on Saturday night last we left Fall
River at twenty minutes past 4 and lett Newport at
. quarter before O'Clock; the accident took place
about ten minutes before 10 clock; there was moth
ing out OF the ordinary course everything was going
usual; knew nothing of the accident until /
the steam coming out of the side OF the boat;
did not hear any complaint about the quality OF the
boilers; it was a common thing for boiermakers to
be on board as there were necessary repairs to be
IN Ade; Mr.. ket hum the master boermaker, was
on board; had every confidence in his judgmen
O. By Juror-It has been rumored that Mr..
ketchum refused TO 20 on board the Empire State,
account Of the condition of her boilers State
what you know IN reference to such q rumor? 4.
Mr.. ketchum never refused to go on board of
the boat he was among the killed; the de-
ceased was man of great experience, and,
in tact, IL was said by one OF the propretors OF the
line that he was one of the best workmen they ever
had IN their employment, and they did not know
how they could replace him.
Q. Were there any other boilermaker's on board
A. There we're four or six beside deceased; one o.
them Injured.
Q. Now state what occurred on your hearing the
explosion. A. At first there was a sharp ringing
taDt noise, as ii che blowers were bursted; went
10 the spot and ordered the hose 70 be Manned and
going forward met Mr.. Ketchum; | asked him if
he was hurt; he said, mot much, except about the
hands, tried to get down below, but could not,
and then assembled the upper deck for the purpose
At surveying the scene; from the upper deck went
10 the afterguard, and got into the ladies' saloon;
there shut the doors 50 as To keep the steam out
OF lie cabin; the steam enveloped everything, but
II was not warm enough 10 scald; | tod the ladies'
that al those who were not already scalded we're
perfectly safe, and should not be alarmed; had not
seen any of ,ShS wounded al that tune, except
Mr.. ketchum; Then went to state room No. Is,
and awakened lady and her child who we're asleep;
they ont in their night clothes and were unin-
jured; wrapped some bed clo hes around them aud
told them not TO be frightened; then went % the
engine room door, which Is situated in the saloon,
and opened it, bur the steam was 20 dense that /
was obliged TO shut II again; i saw some men on
the forecast and told them u let go the anchor;
then went aft for few minutes; called for Mr..
Brockwav, the engineer and found that he was un-
injured found that Ezra Williamson the third en-
gineer, was badly injured told tue engineer 20 20
down into the engine room Immediately by means
OF a skylight; Mr.. Brockway broke open the sky.
light himself, we then went down on the main deck
with lanterns in our hands; all the lights we're put
out. and ordered some OF the men - relight the
lanterns which hid been nguished; | looked
very carefully about the deck fearing III Il the boat
might be on nre. but c,ul1 not lind any; told the
engineers 70 examine their rooms closely, for
fear there might BE- some fire Gong the Goals;
then walked ait and went up stairs; met some
ladies here one OF them was very much alarmed;
| took her by the arm and said, MADAM you are
perfectly safe all the danger j. now over: we shall
proceed back TO Fan RIVER "a soon a. we get
ready then went below, where saw sam Wiz
HANSEN lying uoon a martrass: asked him II he
was much hurt but he could not give me any salts
factory answer; told the second pilot 70 attend 70
him and 20 al he could for him; told the cham
bermaid % get everything she could for the comfort
OF the wounded told her 70 teai up the bedding
and sheets for bandages; all the wounded had BY
this time been placed upon mattresses IN the fore
saloon; gave orders q have each Of tue sufferers
attended. and appointed men and women q do
many things for the comfort and relief Of the
wounded; then went down upon the forward deck,
where ] found i've men woun led; i'm Immediately
ordered up some mattresses and bedding, and had
the sufferers cared for: then placed Attendant
near each OF the wounded, while two men held
Light: then asked Mr.. Brock gay III be could not
get steam UP in the other boiler and return 20 Fall
River be replied that lie could, and babe him do
%; all he wounded appeared 70 have been forward
o. he Wheel In the immediate vicinity OF the boiler
and engine room; the first man who died was the
fireman found ia the engine room: he died in about
hfteen minutes after got 10 Fall River; on being
informed by Brockway, the engineer, that steam was
up 10 the other boiler, immediatey CAV orders .
man he windasS. and heave up the anchor; u vas
hove up in quick time; could not tell how long IL
took to come up after We hove up the anchor; We
got into Fall River about twenty inmates past II
O'Clock the pilot has got all the particulars reiany
20 the exact time; told the IDIOT that ne shoald
take the shortest route back to Fall River: while
was coming back fr the pilot house, where hal
remained about fifteen minutes. | net my bro
Their, VITO informed me that the passengers
were holding a meeting, aud passing resOu-
tons about me and the boat under my
command; tod him not 70 mind the passengers
or the resolutions but TO pay al his attention 70 the
wounded: told him that had something else 70
D. other than booking after the meeting u the pas
sengcrs. told one Of the wheelsmen and a brother
of mine 20 Jump ashore as soon a. we reached Fall
River and each mango 10 different directions after
fafa fnli fhafu IN thn IA
and s,nd him for Mr.. jefferson and Richard Borden.
owners and agents OF the line after the boat was
made Est 70 the dock, went ashore with lantern
in my hand and had not proceeded great distance
when met Col. Richard Borden; ! walked back
with him, told him all about the accident, and how
had sent for physicians; we then yrt on board the
steamer state Of Maine and gave orders 70 get coal
on board Of her for the purpose OF conveying or
passengers 10 New York; a Der Of men were
procured, and arrangements were made for the de-
parture Of the beat for New York: then got the