The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-07

"A Row Board a Steamship-0ne of the
CGmbatants Falls Overheard and Is
Drowned.

ID
Combatnnts Falls Overheard and Is
Drowned.
Coroner Rollins held an inquest yesterday over the
remains Of Rcnard Backhouss seaman belonging
on board the steamship City Of Limerick, ne having
met his death through drowning in rather remark
able manner The deceased quarreed about some
rifing matter at halfpast twelve O'Clock yesterday
morning. with one OF his mates. named Daniel Brown,
as they were going on board the steamer. Back.
house struck Brown at the gangway, and followed
him to the forward gangplank, where he again as
saulted Brown, the recol making him tumble over
board, when he struck heavily on q fender floating
in the water, sustaining severe injury in the head
and was drowned before he could be aided. The
following evidence was ELECTED before the Jury
James McGiven, seaman on board the steamship
Nevada testified that at the time of the disturbance
he was on the dock IN company with the deceased
the prisoner and one or Two others OF the crew OF
the Guy OF Limerick, they having left drinking sa-
loon In Charlton street a few minutes before; while
IN the saloon the parry had something to drink, none
OF them being intoxicated though q little noisy and
turbulent wnen midnight arrived they all left the
saloon, and there was no quarrel except dispute
about the payment Tor. drinks between Lawrence
Cummings and Robert Marrow; as the deceased and
Brown started 10 go up the after gangway they had
sharp words IN relation 10 the dispute, Backhouse
fnaliy running back On the dock where he took Off
bls coat and challenged Brown to fight: Brown de-
cliDed the challenge by advice Of the witness and
went on board the steamer; the deceased then fol-
win Brown on board Brown was overtaken
on the forward deck, when the deceased struck
hihi Doth men chnched and struggled until they
reached the forward gaugway when they fell, belng
soon AFTER separdted the deceased then stepped back
pace or Two ana lel down the ganeway; the prison.
er only struck the deceased once did not knock
MN overheard; witness saw two men Jump In after
deceased. '
Lawrence Cummings, q fireman on board of the
steamship Limerick, testified that the deceased and
tue prisoner began quarrelling all of a sudden as
they started TO go over the gangpank: witness at
end
takeh on ms coat and vest for the pur pose Back
mouse sneh struck the witness and ran after Brown;
the next tnlng Cummings heard az he was talking to
board. " ~
Robert NARROW, another OF the steamers crew. tes
titled That he saw the beginning OF the quarrel and
preceded the Two men 70 the orecasle he saw the
deceased i strike Brown at the pangplank as he
tur0ei around 10 see what the trouble was; Brown
remarked, 81 did not think you would 40 that
Dlck;' the deceased replied, Eyes dld and viii do
u again.; when they reached the forward gingway,
Backnouse aga struck Brown, the blow having tie
effect 10 make both men sagger the deceased fall
ing over the gangway into the river Erown ala nor
strike the deceased as lar az witness could ace
Robert Carson, one Of the shipmates OF Brown was
also examined and corroborated the evidence
Charles Russell, second officer on board the steam.
ship City Of Lmefic9 testified that he knew nothing
about the disturbance which led 70 the death OF de.
ceased, az he was IN ped at the time: when the do.
ceased fell overheard, there long fender float.
my "a we water 20 Keep the snip IRON the dock; he
.Dr. John Beach testified that he mad examined
the remains OF deceased, ana found severe cut or
fracture on the mead; IN his opinion Inc deceaaed
had been rendered partially insensiDle by inns in.
jury, else lie would not have been drowned
Tue jury rendered verdict that the deceased
came to his death by fall over the gangway of inc
steamer City Of Limerick and they fully exonerated
the prisoner. Daniel Brown from all participation
in the struggle which led 80 the fall
Brown was accordingly discharged from custody
The steamer City Of Limerick then received her men
again. and endeavored TO make up for the Two hours,
delay caused BY the investigation by al once DEPART.
ing from the dock for Europe.