The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-21
TIE EXCURSION DISASTER.
Examination Of Two Onicers-TessIu,ony
Against the Captain OF the Stea mer.


Against the Captain of the Sseau ,er
AT the Eighth precinct station house Yesterday
morning Coroner Flynn continued the investigation
in the case OF the recent disaster the North riyer
by which officer Corbett and girl named Jane Bell
lost their lives. BY the testimony copy OF which
will be found below. IL will be observed that when
the captain OF the steamboat was informed that
officers We're on board he made use OF most unleeiin
and brutal language towards the passengers on his.
boat who fell into the water and ocers Of the Police
Department.
TESTIMONY OF SERGEANT MCCLLoGH
John II. Mccullough, being sworn, says:-I am ser
geant OF police attached to the Twentieth precinct
station house: on the 18th of July was on board
the steamboat Seth Low opposite 1921 street, Nor,
river: there was a large party OF excuisoIss's GA
board two barges attached to said steamer; the
captain Of the Seth Low wished to land passengers
at the foot OF 154d street when he backed the
steamboat up to the bargeS while IN tho
middle of the river; passengers were being trans
ferred from said harges to steamboat when there
was cry OF Man overboard:; rush was
made by passengers to see the man overheard
when the side rails gave way and about twelve per
sons were precipitafed into the water: ran imlnc
diately TO the captain OF the steamboat Seth Low
and told him there twelve or fourteen persons
assistance he answered me- ''Let them drown and
be damned;" Iran to the stern of the boat and re-
told him there We're two noce ea ocers an
he replied, "Let them drown; all the policemen in
New YORK ought to be drowned, for they thieves
the captain in my opinion, was under the influence
OF liquor. -
TESTIMONY OF RoUNDsMAN coMBEs
Charles W. Combes, Jr., being sworn, says:-l am
rOundsman attached to the Twentieth precinct on
the 18th Of July was on board the Steamboat Seth
Low, from Dudleys Grove when opposite ls2d street
the captain stopped the barges and backed mp the
steamer alongside one OF the barges and took Off
passengers who intended to land at 1921
street; policeman Corbett got on the steamer
from the barge and just before the steamer
started he returned to the barge; the steamer
left the barge just AFTER he had got on the barge;
cry was raised Of policeman overheard; was
standing on the upper deck OF the steamer, looking
toward the barge when the passengers on the barge
rushed to the side, and the gate where the gang
plank goes gave way and about o dozen people
were preciptated into the water; Sergeant McCnl~
Ogh then went and informed the captain that there
were dozen more overheard and that they
would drown If assistance was not rendered them,
the sergeant returned and told me that the captain
said LET them down and be damned" the steamer
being only short distance from the barge at the
time; In coming from the dock at the foot OF 1924
street made the remark TO the captain OF the Seth
Low that policeman had fallen overheard and was
drowned; he SAID, ~ am damned glad Of 1t; they
ought to be all drowned they are nothing but par
Gel Of thieves;' had Nd further words with him
At this point the Investigation was further ad-
jOurned till to-day, and n the meantime EFFORTS WIZ
be made to secure the attendance Of the captain on
the steamboat Seth Low.