New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-04
THE CHENANGO DISASTER.
Conclusion Of the Case and Charge Of the
Coroner 10 his Jury.

The investigation into the causes Of the boiler
EXPLOSION on board the United States steamer Chenango
was concluded yesterday. when Coroner Norris de-
lvered his charge 10 the jury In which all the creum
stances connected with the disaster as drawn rom the
testimony were summed up at great length. The fo.-
lowing is brief summary:
The Coroner in commencing his remarks referred TO
the law which imposed upon him the duty OF nyesta-
ing the causes which hurried % human beings INTO
ETERNITY In the enjoyment OF health elated win tno
prospect of TN honorable service In the cause OF her
country these unfortunate victims OF some most snaue
full incapacity, suddenly destioyed-not py inc
hand OF tho enemy but by causes which they hah q
right TO expect could not occur ON manoiwar puiis
by Government without limitation OF expense, anu
managed by large number OF persons whose duty ~
was 10 guard against any accident which human ski
could avert. The facts proved are that the Navy
Department requiring some 80 side-whee1 hght dfalt
rnnboats prepared the plans for the engines and boil
ss of thee vessels and called upon contractors TO build
their machinery according 10 these plans, under the
snperintendence Of U. 5. engineers. Among Others
NJ ouinard undertook to build two sets OF these en-
gines and boilers one Of which for the Chenango
he material Of which the boilers were composed was
shown be of the best quality They were tested win
the square inch without yielding. The braces were
porfect The engines were run for 20 hours
at the dock, and all proving satisfactory sis S
went in commission and proceeded down the bay The
Coroner detailed all the circumstances up TO me ne Oh
the cxplosion-the engine but shortly before showing
| pressure OI Only <O3 pouhuo Va
INC at Il rate of between eight and nine knots an hou
He then entered into the question OF tne causes %
rnpture one of which was the gradual VI
pressure until the resisting power OF the poc' II oscr
come in its weakest part and gives way which - eaneo
burst" and the other the instantaneous Renefson
=, an enormous pressure the boiler nom
| causes which attend low water, and when
10 called an explosion. The testimony
-, - witnesses vas reviewed and the most promnens
mt in any manner bearing upon the probable causes
,hc disasfer were distinctly set forth Inc coroner
ssretted the absensce of Mr. sherwood the Engineer
chief who might have enlightened the jury In regard
sycral matters connected with the selection OF boil
rs fr the Naval service. which. BY their night were
moro liable TO be struck by shot In action tnan II the
l.nhes which were used 10 aid In the proIueuoh OF
een were placed behind one side OF the furnace az
snal instead of ut the top OF the furnace, as in this
Use The Coroner adverted to the peculiarities
Iof the boilers in PflninB OF roaming.
Chewing their dangerous qualities, 30
nainy as even TO alarm practical scientific men, and
- indnce them TO oreten accidents Of this kind. And
when we found these peculiartes existing on number
Of other vessels Just coming into USE upon which
the lives Of our fellow citizens TO be intrusted IL
was the duty Of the Jury TO raise voice OF warning IN
time to prevent any more such horrors as had iatey
| been witnessed.
After the reading Of the charge, the Jury retired,
celebrating for 2t hours, but being unable to agree
adjourned until O'Clock ?. m.
The Coroners Jury in this case reassembled at
o'clock last evening and discussing the evidence ana
exchanging views until 10 o'clock adjourned over until
this evening at u o'clock. A verdict may poss0y "
agreed upon tonight