Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-10-29
how much coal. It was good weather first,
but blew afterwards, wind towards land

but blew afterwards, wind towards land
remember seeing no lights. After got in
Goals went towards Wilmington. so far as
know. When joined the ship flag,
which supposed to be U. s. flag, was fly
lng-first flag hoisted afterwards was Gu
ban ensign, day or two after, took coal
first heard vessel was bound for Cuba,
when We took guns on board. A little
steamer came up to US about time hoIsted
Cuban flag. The first time my attention
was called to distances was when I heard
testimony of first witness (Gordon), and I
thought he was telling most awful false
hood. We were very near out of coal
when made first schooner only s Or 10
tons in forward bunkers and very little in
aft-steamer used from to II tons per day
On an average she was upwards of miles
from land when we took in coal.
Re-examined by Mr.. Davis-We were
flying Cuban flag when we came into the
Cape Fear, and kept it flying since till taken
down by Government officers. The ton
mage of Hornet is about $50 tons-she
drew about Il feet when We left Halifax.
Capt. J. n. Matfitt introduced, examin-
alton conducted by Mr.. Davis, testified
that he had followed the sea 30 years-was
formerly in .. S. Navy l and IA years on
coast survey-had made pretty much all Of
the chart exhibited in Court himself--was
engaged i'll coast survey about No-Mans
Land-don't think there is any reasonable
safe anchorage for ship of $50 tons in
short distance. Gould anchor in IL or IL
fathoms water 3! miles off No Man s. Land
| No anchorage off Montauk Point when
wind is from east-could anchor anywhere
with wind from nOrthwest-would hesitate
long time before he would lay at anchor
there in September. If a vessel broke her
anchor at Montauk Point and went ashore,
the wind must be from east. No risk to
ship in moderate weather inside of Point
could lay in l J miles. The distance from
No Man Land to Gay Head light is g.
miles-between them there is no good au-
ohorage. There is great difficulty in tell
ing distances on the water-i?epends great
ly upon state of attn, osphere, knowledge of
the land and experience in judging by ma
ked eye-found distances at sea very de-
ceptiye. Witness had compared facts
with judgment of the eye for Il years; and
stated as experience that it is almost i'm
possible to judge by the eye. A cross ex
animation developed about the same facts.
Mr.. Davis offered in evidence Naval
List, showing that in January 1869, the
Hornet was a gunbost in the .. S. Navy,
800 tons bnrthen and carrying guns
Mr.. Phelps objected, On the grounds
that it was immaterial and irrelevant.
Mr.. Davis wanted to show by this that
the Hornet " as not prepared as vessel OF
war by the Cubans. The evidence was ad-
mitted by the Court.
Capt. G. P. Bolles. examined by Mr..
Davis, testified that he had been in the
service of the coast survey l6 years-be-
longed to coast survey proper-Capt. Maj
fit had been detached from navy, and
had served together. Witness corrobora-
ted Capt. Maffitt's testimony as to difficult
ty of Judging distances by naked eye.
John Christian examined by Mr.. Davis
Witness testified that he had been en-
gagged to join She Hornet in New York and
Joined her at sea-not then in sight of
land. When the ship was at schooner
taking in coal, steered the boat that went
ashore-the distance was about miles, as
near as could Judge. When [ joined
Hornet I went aboard from the Martha
Washington; went aboard of her from
sail boat-Mr. Greenwood was in charge,
T shipped at the Hornet, On board; signed
articles there-agreed on shore with Mr..
Greenwood to go-had seen him before
but was not acquainted with him. Have
been seaman IL years. Since came to
this port have been on board of Cuba and
walking about town.
Cross examined by Mr.. Phelps-In reply
to question witness stated that he had Of
fered to no one to testify against the ship,
but had been offered by man 500 to do
so. On being asked who was that man,
witness pointed to Shields, and said
s'thats the mani told him woald let
him know, but have not done so, though 1
have seen him every day since. I went in
with Shields and Dempsey into bar room
and took a drink when this offer was
made"
Court then adjourned to Thursday morn
ing 10 clock.
| The GOVERNMENTS LAST BLOW AT THE
CUBA-PREPARATHoNs FOR DIsMANTLING
THE STEANIER-SHE IS STRIPPED OF HER
SHIPS SUPPLIES the personal SUI
pervision of the United States Marshal for
this State, S. L. Carrow, assisted by Depu-
ty Marshal Nef, preparations were made
yesterday for dismantling the Cuban man
of-war Cuba, forcibly seized by the Gov
eminent last week. A fiat and small tow
boat were carried alongside in the after
noon and a considerable portion of the
ships supplies taken off, These are still
being removed and stored in one of the
warehouses attached to the Custom House.
1t is then proposed to remove the powder
| - L Il b. cCfn no