The New York herald., 1870-08-20
TEE noRWlLI DISASTER.
Further Testimony in Regard to the Collihon-
Testimony Of Passengers The Captain and
Pilot Sober-A Further Adjournment.

The inquest was resumed yesterday afternoon by
Coroner Whitehil over the body OF John f. Phaen,
late OF 426 West Twenty-th street. who lost his life
through tho collision between the Coney Island
boat Norwalk and the schooner Lady Ellen.
Captain Hazzard testified that he was on the Nor
walk at the time Of the collision and that he saw
the schooner four points on the port bow heading
South; the steamDoat was then running for the
north coast; the schooner was showing her red
light only; when the schooner was about two points
forward the wheel Of the steamboat the pilot
rang the bell to shut or the steam
and blew one whistle; told him to
port his hel and not to stop her for his life; 1t was
blowing fresh. and the schooner was running about
eight knots; stepped outside and told the persons
on the schooner to port their helm and lu and told
the passengers on the lower deck to get OF that
part OF the guard after the collision some one said,
sJump on the schooner, -
THE BOAT Is sINKING;n
jumped on the promenade deck among the ruins,
and saw that the null Of the boat WI WAS eonpara
from gong on board the schooner; they were get
ting through = hole, but large number came back
tug which was then IN sight; the tug came up and
witness threw them line; noticed the
tan tas wilson to get em downs when
tugboat started saw bow line last TO the schooner;
called for some one to cast II of, but there was no
one there; no one on the schooner answered; told
the parties on the tug to tow us TO pier No. A
North river, first landing; Captain Wilson said we
We're too much alarmed; landed the passengers in
good order; first saw the schooner threequarterS or
mile away and showing one hight; she was on her
proper course to the nOrthward but she changed
her course soon after and bore right down on the
steamboat; the steamboat was on her proper course
ward when she saw the schooner bearing down on
her; the object OF mat was 70 Keep away from the
schooner; nave been shipmaster for twenty-nine
MADE MISCALCULATION,
and mistooK the lights OF the steamboat which is
sometimes the case; they altered their course to q
wrong point; did not see any person get into the
water; know the NOrwalk was on her proper course;
1t was not yet quite dark the captain and pilot were
sober and competent TO discharge their dutleS the
steamboat lights were in proper position; II the pilot
mad kept right on, with full head OF steam, he
could not have cleared the schooner; she would then
nave been struck amldships by the boiler; Captain
Wilson said she was not making any water; saw
several passengers on board; the schoOner's boom
was carried away; came to the conclusion
alter that, that nobody was in the water and
did not order any life preservers to be thrown over;
there was great excitement at the time Of the COLI.
sion, but the passengers were soon paclned the
wind was blowing west at the time ana the schooner
was heading south; should have put the helm down
and hauled the sheet In she would then have cleared
the boat; heard Captain Wilson call to the captain
and crew iof the schooner, but he got no reply;
schooner TO take ca, Of the passengers don't know
whether the schooner dropped anchor or not; did
wheelman were at the helm at the time OF the acct
dent; the steamboat was properly managed but the
schooner was not.
THEODORE L.. PAINE SWORN.
Theodore l.. Paine, OF Classon avenue, testified
that he was passenger on the NOrwalk on the
night in question and was sitting forward OF the
wheehOuse, with two other gentlemen; noticed the
schooner; gentleman at my right remarked thai
there were a great number of lights; when looking
at the schooner again thought sne was heading for
the steamboat; soon after heard the whistle blow on
the NOrwak; said they would surely
RUN INTO US;
did not her strike, but knew by the shock that
she had struck; number OF people went OF on the
schooner; did not see anybody get overheard, but
heard that there were numbers OF people IN the
water; only heard the remark made once, and that
was on the upper deck a number OF the passengers
came back from the schooner to the steamer; knew
Captain Wilson by sight, and he seemed to be per-
tectly sober.
JOHN ROGERS SWORN.
John Rogers testified that he was engineer OF the
steamer Norwalk shortly after they had passed the
Narrows heard one bell, and shut Off the steam I'M
mediaely; the passengers rush TO the starbOard
side OF the boat, then came terrible crash and the
engine stopped OF itself; looked out and saw the
side Of the NOrwalk all crushed in then went to the
rerOom TO ascertain If she was making water; went
to the engine room and saw the steam escape; told
the passengers there was no danger; found a small
leak and tried to stop it,
The inquest was here adjourned until Monday.
libel has been filed against the schooner by the
owners OF tho NOrwalk.