New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-14
THE OCEAN BIRD IN COURT.

| For nearly week the residents Of the Eleventh
Ward have been more or less interested in a series Of
demonstrations which have drawn crowds Of oddook-
ing characters to the neighborhood of Tenth street. at
the Greenpont Ferry The center CT this interest has
| been the steamship Ocean Bird, which Lies at the
wharf on the south side of Greenpoint Ferry slip. 1t
appears that the Ocean Bird is of three steamships
built and owned by Captain John Graham for his own
use Their names are the Ocean Bird, United States
| and St. Lawrence They were built with view to
establishing regular line of communication between
| New-York, Havana and Cadiz. Crippled, however,
by some pecuniary losses about the time when it was
| intended to start the steamers, Captain Graham
effected loan of 100000 for four months and prom
sed 10 pay SIS 900 for the OF it during that PERIOD
and for the purpose of securing the payment OF the
sum named he pledged the three steamships rs above
stated by bills of sale absolute on their faces Under
color of this title Meyer d Stucken sold the steamships
to parties in Havana. These parties obtained pos
session of the vessels by force. Captain Graham
brought his action in the U. s. Circuit Court, and these
bills of sale were declared void for fraud. Lately
the steamship Ocean Bird came into this port, and
Capt Graham being advised that he could successfully
repleyy her with that intention he went on board on
Monday to make the preliminary demand. To his sur
prise Captain Don Jose NJ Nademonte then IN posses
sion of the steamship, at once yielded to his demand
and at his request withdrew from the vessel with his
men, their baggage and other personal property
Since this time Capt. Graham has remained in peace
able possession Of the vessel. For the purpose
of getting possession, the counsel OF the Spanish
claimants procured writs Of libel to be hled
against her by several mechanics. These libel
claims Capt. Graham at once bonded; day or two
afterward the Spanish claimants also filed bonds for
the payment OF these mechanics, and applied to the
Court for order that the vessel be surrendered to
them this application heard in the Court yester-
day forenoon when the Court Judge Belts refused to
interfere between the clamants and declined 10 make
any order in the premises, leaving the u. >, Marshal,
after the approval of the bonds under the act OF Con-
gress of lSl1, to act at his peril.
Mr. Evarts, on behalf of the Spanish owners, read
affdavs showing their claims to the custody of the
vessel lie asked for order that the steamer be de-
vered into the possession of the owners, and that she
be discharged from the custody Of the Marshal.
After hearing argument, Judge Belts made an order
discharging the vessel filing the necessary bonds
and directing the Marshal to deliver her TO the custody
of the parties from whom he took her. The Court did
not name who those parties were.
AFFAIRS AT THE SHIP.
AT an early hour yesterday forenoon reporter Wis
tied the steamship Ocean Bird and found her ly
ing as previously stated Large crowds Of men were
in the vicinity, at intervals between the dock and
Avenue ID. Among them many wel-knOwn
bruisers 1t was rumored by the Deputy United States
Marshals on board the steamship that Captain Cru
ham and body of his men bad attacked the vessel
the south slde, having approached her with a small
steamboat. This however, WAS story told for effect
by the frightened men whom Marshal Rynders left
on board hs deputies. Our reporter was by the
eide Of the ship at the time when the above demon
strution il alleged to have taken place. aud raw
nothing of the kind. Capt. Rynders had intimated
that he would be on board the ship AT ] o'clock, at
which time sundry anxious crowds were in readiness
TO receive him, but the bold Captain not. Mean
time an order was received TO the effect that the
in the interest of Capt. Graham might well dsband
ar their services would not be needed il being under
stood that Marshal Rynders was apprehensiye of dan
ger if he should nsst upon retaining possession of the
ship.
THE sHERITF's VISIT.
About | o'clock yesterday, Deputy'Sherih Dunlap
went on board the steamship and took possession, in
virtue Of Judgment held by Joseph W. Deano against
Graham for the sum of g. GOO After putting special
Deputy on board he left the for the purpose OF
hunting up further Judgments and Of procuring
enforcement Of special deputies He had not returned
when our reporter eft last night.