Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-29
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examination of Commodore Higgins ans
his Omeers-Fourth Days Proceedfngs-
Monday.
David Mcdowell was introduced as
witness on behalf of the Government. Mr.
Phelps conducted the examination.
On being sworn the witness stated tina
he resided in New York and was by occu
patton a steamboat hand. Was employed
in September last on the tug boat Martha
Washington of New York. About go
September tug left pier 9. North River,
after taking on board 10 or II men. A.
Mr., Brown was in charge of the men, who
came on board about Z d. m. Tug went
to pier 40 and took on board 90 more men;
then went to pier s; nothing occurred there.
Went to pier 10 and got orders to go to
pier 90, East River. Witness didn't go
round to East River with steamer, being
left ashore at pier 10, North River, to tell
Brown the boat had gone, and then went
acr lss the city. Arrived at pier 30 found
the tug not there but met a man named
Sam Greenwood. Waited till the tug came
back, then got aboard and went to pier
%. This was Wednesday morning. Mar
tina Washington after that got orders to 90
down to Coney Island-got there at p.
H., and left there at midnight While there
about 20 men came aboard; went and anch-
orel of in the stream, and while there the
came on board from small sailing boats
Weighed anchor and went off to Fire Is
Land. After the lapse of about an hour
saw steamer. Tug hoisted flag with mi
tails NJ W. as signal-no colors were set
on steamer. The steamer was black
and with side wheels Since saw her in
stream here-she is called the Cuba. Mar
tina Washington then went back to New
York-staid the re till that night-got back
on the afternoon OF Friday. Mr.. Brown
was in charge of the men carried to steam
cr Laid over till Friday night-then
went down below the NarrOws and laid to.
Sailing boats here brought % men on
board, Mr.. Brown IN charge. Il. came on
board after the men. Greenwood was first
IN charge of the men-he was the pilot of
the tug. Then went to Coney Island dock,
and from thence to steamer again-steam
er was about same distance off Fire Island
as before. After laying off there short
time, the tug was sent in the direction of
Fire Island to look for a schooner, but
cOnld not find her, and returned and saw
that steamer had got her in the meantime.
Witness could not tell the name of the
schooner-Would know it if he heard il
mentioned The name of Jas. PcedmOre
was called-he said that was the name.
Steamer wanted tug to tow schooner
Captain refused. Witness didn't know
who gave the order Thought it was Brown.
b. came aboard and tug returned to New
York. When she left steamer was getting
d hawser to schooner. Got back to New
York Saturday evening-date not recollec-
ted Started out again Monday afternoon,
and went down through the Narrows to
Sleeps Head Bay. Brown and another
man came on board. Laid here till small
boat came Off with 6 or s men-shipped
some provisions-went to steamer which
then Law inside of Montauk Point, at
anchor about one mile from Light House
aud in the Sound about alf-mile
from shore. This was on Sunday after
noon Saw nothing but schooner on the
beach-thought it was the Predmore-had
masts out and was nearly abreast of steam
en-. Witness was not familiar with locali
ties here) Then went alongside of steamer
and mad fast--pnt on board the provisions
and men. Brown went on board with
small valise. Tug remained about two
hours and left Brown and Greenwood
came from steamer with or 5 of the crew;
then went to New London, Conn, landed
Brown and Greenwood, took on Sound
Sol for the defense obiecten to the declara-
tons of b. and G.. ON leaving, sought to be
drawn out by the Government. Though
these might be part of the act, the par
ties were not defendants here. The Court
ruled that the act would only be consid-
erod. Witness resumed-when pilot was
shipped in place of Greenwood, tug went
down to New York. Witness arrived in
Wilmington Monday;morning of last week.
and before leaving didn't 60 to steamer
after time stated above. Got orders to
come here as Understanding said to
him about pay-left New York at T. NJ.
Ssturday-Shields came with him-a man
whom he did not know came to his house
after him and told him he must come as a
witness Since coming to Wilmington
had staid aboard of Revenue Cutter in the
stream.
The cross examination was conducted by
Hon. Geo. Davis-Witness stated that he
didn't go with the tug from pier 10 North
River to pier % East River, and could tell
OF nothing that happened on the way
When he first went to the Hornet it was
Thursday-fOund her off Fire Island about
Sor 10 miles-this was when the men went
on board. Returning to New York, the tug
went to pier s. Left Friday night again
and went below the NarrOws when other