The New York herald., 1870-05-23
TEE rlRMs OF oun nEaCaAyr MARINE.
The Cupiiity Of Insurance Companies a Bait
for Adventurous Men-Three Blind NicO

The Cupidity Of Insurance Companies a BAIT
for Adventurous Men-Three Blind NIicO
Nearly Destroy n Ship, Cargo and Grew.
Since the days when naval architecture was first
introduced by Father Noah, down to the period
when Spain sent her invncible armada TO invade
the shores OF England and annihilatc the navy Of
the Maiden Queen, disasters ut sea have been
chroniced until the vocabulary Of accidents has
been exhausted IN defining than and describing
hair breadth escapes from death at sea In all varie
ties of form. One of the most singular causes OF
marine disaster, however, is developed In the sworn
testimony Of case now before United States Com
mi s,oner Osborn.
IL appears that on the Sd OF April a man named
A. Lange, Of william street, in this city, dealer in
picture frames, caused to be shipped ON board the
steamship George Washington, plying between hero
and New Orleans box about four feet square, con-
tents not described, and marked '.handle with
New orleans; the box was then insured in the name
OF A. komp, by Llnge, whose son, youth OF six
teen years, paid the premium OF one and half per
cent on the alleged value, 81 $50.
The box was duly receipted for by the clerk OF II.
Il. Cromwell Co.. owner OF the George Wasning-
ton, and ON presenting this receipt duplicate bills
OF laaing were given to Lange. few DAYS subse-
quen TO the sailing OF tie steamship Lange called at
tue Office OF Cromwell & Co. and requested the box
to be returned to him Oh lis arrival at New Orleans
alleging Us reason That MI. Rohrg was not In New
Orleans.
from this port, and while In anticipation OF sue
cessul and pleasant voyage, the appalling alarm OF
fire was gwen spreading CONSERVATION and terror
In the stoutest hearts, In this emergency The pre-
sence u mind OF Captain eager did not forsake him,
and ordering the hose from the engine room, cut q
space through the matches and poured plentiful
supply OF water through IT, When the flames were
sufficiently subdued the matches were TAX on and
1t was found that the smoke was issuing in dense
volumes liom the lower hold. BY well directed
streams playing on this part the flames were finally
subdued, and efforts were made 10 ascer ain the
cause of the fire. IL was found to proceed from
the box which Lange had shipped and insured.
II was taken to New Orleans and the facts together
with the Dox placad in the charge OF the Deputy
Collector of this port On the return Of the box to
this city the case handed over for prosecution
to the District Attorney, and Lange and komp, the
alleged shippers, arrested. When all the evil
dence was offered on the part OF the defence, komp
was acquitted as it wa shown he knew nothing OF
the box or lts contents, his name being assumed by
Lange for some unexplained cause. An examna-
tion OF the contents OF the box was made by pro-
fessor OF chemistry, J. G. Pohe, associated for
twenty-five years with the American Institute. Ho
found the box 10 contain gallon can OF spirits OF
turpentlne. a soda water bottle n.led with gasoline,
"a can OF al ochoic mud two cigar boxes containing
nests OF white MICE straw and sawdust and In addi-
tion, highly explosive compound, chloride OF po-
tassum and in order to corroborate hs testimony Of
the dangerous compound, Mr.. Pone took two gra ms
OF It ana exploded II by friction In open court The
explosive ingredients were valued at ten dollars.
On this state Of facts the Commissioner held the
accused to bail 10 appear before the Grand Jury.