New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-21
THE DISASTER ON hoard THR
U. 4. STEAMER CHENANCO.
Continuation Of the Cersner's Investi.
Cation.

explosion the United States steamer Cbenang0 was
continued before Coroner Norris and the Jury yester
day afternoon, commencing at 3 O'Clock The following
| evidence was elected:
| David p. Goodhue, sworn-Am Acting Assistant
Surgeon in the United States Navy and attached 70 the
snip Chonango;sI board when the accident oc-
Cured; saw Engineers Cahill and Murray after the
accidents had conversation with them In regard TO
the condition OF the engine or boiler never conversed
with them about the safety of the boilers there were
81 men sealded as far as know; up to the 18th inst
there had been a DEATHS the deaths were caused by
being scalded know nothing regard TO the explosion
or lts causes the habits Of the engineers as far 10
had seen, were good; they were strictly temperate.
George w. Quintard sworn-I am the proprietor OF
the Morgan Iron Works, and had the contract for
building the boilers Of the Chenango from the Bureau
Of Steam Engineering Of the Navy Department; Benj.
f. lsherw0od is Chief Of tie Bureau; furnished
with the specifications for plans ron &c the schedule
presented shows the quality OF iron and the quantity
used IN the construction OF the boiersj have every
reason 10 believe that the order for the iron
faithfully executed; think that VI aace Buckley fur
nished the iron but not surei the trade marks will
show gave orders that the boilers be constructed
strictly in accordance with the specifications; think
the straps made Of Ulster iron do not know from
whom it was purchased; the boilers were properly
tested after being completed at 90 pounds hydraulic
pressure; there certificate 10 that eject never
take certificate; the Government engineer was pres
ent when the boilers were tested; S. wilkins Craig
| is the Government engineer; have no idea what
caused the explosions heard of complaints IN refer
ence to the boilers leaking; Mr. Cahill told me, few
days before he went TO that the boilers very
good, and with some little caulkng would be tight he
said he would have this done at the Navy Yard; the
boilers had for 90 hours previous TO leaving
my place. and were accepted by the Government en-
gineer. John Walker was foreman Of the oilcrshop
the time the boilers Of the Chenango were construct
ed. The boilers Martins Patent; am not com.
potent TO give opinion as to the difference between
the Martin and Montgomery boiler. The acceptance Of
the boilers by the Government relieves NE from all
responsibility.
George b. Mott sworn-Am citing Ensign in the U.
s. Navy and belong TO the steamer Chenango; was on
Al h.l 10
with Engineer Murray after leaving the Navy ard;
the effect OF his statement that the boilers not
fit to to he told me repeatedly that they had sent
20 the Morgan Iron Works to have them repaired, but
they he spoke particularly OF the port
boiler; asked him what he would do if be pursu-
ing prize ne said he would do the beet he could but
that they had very poor pair Of kettles board he
afraid they would not stand nuchi gave me no rea.
for his assertions always spoke Of the boilers as
he was afraid Of them Mr.. Cahil very guarded in
his remarks but the inference drew from his CONVEX.
sation that he had good opinion Of the boilers.
| John Walker sworn-Reside at No. !, l62 Broadway
n Y: was employed as foreman OF the boiler shops Of
the Mogan Iron Works up 10 the 18th Of June; super
intended the building Of the boilers of the Chenango up
to that time; the boilers, when left ia
Of perfect construction; worked from the drawings as
they came from the shop they traced from Gov
eminent drawings the Jugs ON tue sides OF the boilers
were ryeted when left the iron was on; made it
according to the drawings 81 by 81 inches; IT was
riveted every Il inches Igzag, the weld; tho
brace holes from the L holes were inch in diameter
and 10 inches apart the bar included the curve about
was 10 feet inches in depth there but two bars
running 10 each tube box, making in all on the L
rails and o. up and down the boiler; the sizes Of the
upright bars given TO me- the size OF the rvets In
the llgs Of inch Tugs we're inches by !; o
hole punched for the rves; II was punched cold,
stays the same size as have always been IN
boilers that have had anything 10 do with; have built
l6 boilers in all left Of inch space on each side OK
the stay bar there many stays as In any other
boiler think there double the strength ON the roof
than there on the tube box; this boiler was made
the the boilers made before worked the boiler
for 60 lbs cold water pressure to the square
inchi L placed the braces every inches
the boiler contains Is, $50 square inches-one-
eighth would be l.732 inches; II every inches were
braced it would take 2l6 braces this form of boiler viii
not admit Of the ordinary amount Of stays owing to the
tube the box plates put into the boilers were good
several imperfect ones wore thrown Sn but on Nov
cincations not quite sure that the brand was On
all the plates; don't remember seeing any eraekG
caused by ryetng the workmanship about the boilers
was good; have very good opinion Of the Martin
boiler in comparison with the other boer it requires
too many stays and is bad TO repair this boiler was
made throughout according 10 specifications Of the
Goyernment-that is, long had the superintend:
ence of the manufacture; surprised when heard
been asohshed if it had exploded at 40 or 50 pounds
tho boiler had been tested by hydrauAc pressure al %
pounds.
Adjourned till u o'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
The Jury reassembled about "a o'clock, and
the following witnesses examined:
Lewis Sheariing-Resdes at No 5s3 Fourth street,
~ Y. He testified TO being boiler -maker by trade.
and employed at the Morgan Iron Works. IS foreman
of the shop took John Walkers place. the boilers were
finished when be got there, with the exception OF put
ting in tie dry pipes and ryiting on the manhoies;
found everything about the boilers saw no bad
iron or bad shots; the fanges were all good; fitted up
the boiler under Mr. Walker and regarded it as good
when left the shop was put up as we a any
was used in its construction saw the boiler testedby
cold water pressure the first trial. they put on pres
Of 81 pounds with q srss or 'CoT
pungrg keep the pressure on on the second test
s. pounds pressure whichthe boiler stood first rates
the boiler with steam on the hIst time tsrs wa
the ship 70 see if the boilers leaked they required some
cauking here and there, and found everything al ghi
on opening the furnace doors one OF the engineers
asked 10 send man TO nix the boilers which was done,
after which he pronounced IL all right; sent after the
same man a second time and the work was done-thas
Of caulking; had no conversation with MI. Cahhi;
W NJ Finney swOrn-Resides at No. Manhattan
street n Y; q master boiler maker by occupation;
tested piece Of iron from the Chenango which was
placed in his possession; II was taken from the top OK
Inc boiler at the point Of fracture and included the
rupture il answered the quality called for in the plans
and specifications of Mr.. Quintaw; 1t Is as good a.
usually put in steam boersas good az should be usedi
examined the boiler outside; it Is the usual thickness OF
that Kind Of boiler the Of the explosion was, In
opinion of Witness that there greater pressure Oh
steam than it could bear, and the weaker part gave
cess Of pressure; would consider ~ or 20 pounds SUM-
Gent to cause explosion; the genera APP
pcarance OF the inside and outsidet OF INC
boiler and the manner in which the snes's * ee
nnlled apart led witness 10 the conclusion thas
there had been from ~ to 90 lbs OF pressure az the ne
THE explosions; the workmanship ana materias Vi INC
boisr viii compare fayorably win INC woin ,, o. any
other shop; the weakest part OF boiler IN WITNESSES
opnoa is the greatest space between the braces ana
the fiat surfaoe top sufficiently praced 20 pear
tho pressure intended to Dc erncu .,aar on