The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-25
THE COLLISION In HE BAY.

Omcinl Cerroborntion Of Public Opinion-The
Inquest Over the Body Of John X. Phalen
ConcIuded-A Luminous Verdict.
Coroner Whltehill, OF Brooklyn, concluded the
inquest yesterday afternoon over the body OF John
E. Phalen, late Of West Twenty fifth street. New
York. who lost his life during the collision between
the Coney Island steamboat Norwak aud the
schooner Lady Ellen.
David Clayton testified to being the schooner at
the time Of the collision; forward to look
at the lamps and saw the steamer; shouted to the
captain let vessel lufr; the steamer was quite
close TO us; when first saw her she was not more
than q mile away, little on our starboard; when
next noticed her she was within twenty yards and
was running across our bow; heard nothing about
going after q man In the water; told them on the
slo0p that judged there were
DOZEN PERSONS IN THE WATER:
never saw the captain take drunk OF strong liquor;
there was none ON board.
John Flanagan, a New York policeman on special
duty on the Norwalk, next testified. He was walk
ing aft when the collision occurred, and first thought
she was struck by lightning; saw four or f1ve per-
sons In the water; several benches and other ari-
cles were thrown into the water assist them:
yawlboat coming to them; a man said the steamer
was on ire;
ANOTHER RuNoR CAME
that the boat was sinking; went on the schooner
and found Captain Wilson examining the break IN
the side OF the steamer; he told me tell the pas
sengers to stay on the steamer that she was sale;
he also told them so; never Captain Seeley, the
pilot, under the influence Of liquor
Joshua X. Robinson testlied--WaS a passenger on
the Norwalk; reside In New York; heard crash aud
saw ropes thrown.
The Jury took recess and reassembled at half
past TWO.
John r. Foley. sworn was on the N0rwalk at
the time OF the collision; was sitting on the prone
made deck forwards saw the schooner three or Tour
hundred yards Off; she our left; she was on
the windward side; friend said that schooner Will
run In us; looked and saw that she was about two
boat lengths on one OF the boats then changed ner
course, cannot say which, and collision took
places l ala not hear the whistle blow; saw
fhn hQGf flI
HE WAS SOBER;
may have seen the pilot, but 40 not know him;
heard some one say there was some one In the
water; could not tell whether there were any per-
sons In or not as there much debris from the
wreck; got on board Of the schooner and remained
on board until she taken into the Atlantic docE
heard some one sing ont, 'Get on the schooner,
the boat ID slnkinR' thought II was the voice OF
the captain: did not know the deceased.
Captain Luther Smith sw0rn-l reside at No.
Willow place; am superintendents or pilots Of the
Union Ferry Company; have had an experience OF
| EIGHTEEN YEARS AS PILOT;
The course OF the Opney Island boat coming up
| would be along the Long Island shore; from my ex-
perience as pilot sailing vessel bound out would
be to the windward; II the steamer was to the wind
ward IL ia not probable the pilot would attempt 10
cross the bow OF sailing vessel; where two vessels
are approaching 1t is usual to put their helms aport
| and pass by it Is highly improbable that any at
such circumstances would be made by an expert
! enced pilot; don't know what the points OF the
| compass were on the boats In question.
| THE VERDICT.
After debating the matter for about two hours the
| jury rendered the following verlict:-''We agree
| that John T.. Phalen came to his death bt being
drowned, ON the l2tn day OF August through col
nson, caused Dy the schooner Lady Ellen running
| into the steamer Norwalk, While on her tnp from
Ooney Island TO New York; IL has certainly taken
this jury some time to find out thar which all New
| York knew on the day after the disaster and the
public may congratulate itself being thus offl-
| cally endorsed.