The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-23
TIE HORwALK DISASTER
Ths Testimony Of the Captain and Mat' Of tho
Schooner Lady Ellen-They Swear the
Pilot Was Drunk-Adjournmsnt
Of the Inquest

The ,ncuest over the body of John f. Phalon, late
of No % West Twenty-nfth street, and one OF the
vlctims OF the Norwalk disaster, was resumed yes
tcrday afternoon before Coroner Whitehill.
stacy Jarvis sworn, was the first witness, and de-
posed as fouows:-I reside In Philadelphia, and fol-
low the sea- am captain of the schooner Lady
Ellen; the schooner came in collision with the Nor
walk about eight O'Clock on the night OF the 18th,
near Bcdloe's Island; was going down the bay with
the wind to the westward, on that date, and made
the steamer ahead, about two points ON our star
board DOW; she was mile or q mile and
a half away; kept the green light OF the steamer
open 10 me, which was on the starboard SIDE;
when she got within short distance she suddenly
shutin her green light and kept or across our bow;
she was steering north, near as could tell;
when we were about to strike her she blew her
whistle; when she suddenly changed her course
she was only about three lengths on; this was the
time she blowed her whistle; then put my helm
down. but before the vessel could clear the steamer
she struck her Just forward OF the wheeIhOuse;
then my men came running aft, and sung out
"SHE Is GOING DOWN."
was at the wheel before and at the time OF the
collision; my men said her bow was all sOve In; my
then hauled the yawl boat up and got into her;
1 also got into the boat; while We were row.
saw some persons In the water; could not say
how many; l am certain l saw person
@ but ne1U4e Of We aSs there pulled Ss
came up and went between US; supposed the
nun0H on The steamer WOulQ PICK nlm up ana
made no further effort to reach hlm three or my
men got on sloop and the other Two men and my
self pulled back and got on our schooner; by that
riine the steamer was Just getting clear OF US; we
took IN our sails and drifted up the bay; vines
got back to- our schooner the deck was filled with
people; they staid on the schooner and drifted up
the Day With us; while drifting up the bay we
SIGNALLED TO FERRYB0AT
10 come 10 our assistance; no attention was paid,
and think they did not see us; we were only 300
or 400 yards or; we finally saw and signaed the
tugboat Howard. which came TO our assistance, and
III haoi oil hisf iV.la
the passengers OF the Norwak were with us; the
schooner did not leak from the effects OF the COL
tsi0n; we had green light In the starboaTd rigging
and red light IN the port rigging, winch are re-
o. By i Jnror-Are you a practical navigator, A.
Well. am somewhat OF a naylgat consider my.
self competent TO saul schooner; when first
= distance OF about mile; we were about mid
channel: am thoroughly acquainted with the
working sr Ss, of my vessel and Know she attends
when saw the Norwalk crossing our bow
to take south-southwestery course and clear IT,
dd not see any person making motions to me from
the deck of the Norwalk Or near any person shout
ang to me 10 "lur;' when first saw the steamer, as
near as can judge she was running north and
was running south; she continued In this course
until we were within three lengths of her. when she
changed her course to north-northeast
BY the Cor0ner-I made mistakes in regard to
the lights; the only object she could have had In
changing her course would be to get up the East
Tiverj as she was gong she was heading for the
North river; was at the wheel and all hands were
on deck when was in the yawl boat the person
from me.
BY Juror-Did You see anybody in the pilot house
at the time OF the colison9 A. No. sir; could see
Stne pllot house, but aid not notice anybody in or
about 1T; we cut the halliardS; did not hear any
person call TO my men to cut them.
by JurOr-Dld yoa hear any remarks among the
Passengers the deck OF your vessel In regard to
The management OF the steamer NorwaIka Z. Yes;
heard the remark made by some that
THE PILOT DRUNK;
] heard them say the pilot was down at the bar
drinking, and just before the collision one So d he
saw the captain going frU the bar to tho pilOt
house with bottle Of wine. 'A' paw
Cross-examined by counsel for the Norwalk-Saw
"a policeman, named Flanagan. the schooner:
he did not ask me how In the world / came
my men Would ' GO on board the se'a slo n5%
did not hear him ask why my men did not 20 to
ISn man IN Inc ne, water L rem his saying
remember what he said; did not 60 forward; my
men said he was sinking, and took their word,
experience OF eighteen years in sailing vessel and
have been master for the past three years.
SMITH CLAYTON SWORN.
reside at Egg Harbor, New Jersey; am mate
OF the schooner Lady Ellen, ana was on her at the
she was within ten yards OF US; 1 was forward
chewing down the foretopsatl; the course OF the
WAS south ma the captain was At the
course was north-northeast; just at this time our
steward shouted to the captain there is o steamer
ahead ana also shouted for him to .Tun'' I
then looked forward and then shouted to the captain
60 'luir;' We were SO close then We could clear
It; he heard me when l shouted; we were within
Ave Six yards OF her at that time; after the res
eels came together we were all on deck and the cap
cain remained at the helm; we then got into the
Jawl boat; we pulled around our vessel TO see
whether she was sinking and then we rowed to-
wards The soop; heard the captain say there was
PERSON IN THE WATER
but thought 1t was timber; while pulling, O tug
came up, and we then went to the sloop; three Of
the men got on the sloop and would not come back;
we pulled back to the schooner and found decks
full Of people; drifted awhile and was then towed
TO the Atlantic dock; l heard the passengers
several passcngerssay their pilot was drunk; did
not ask the name OF any OF the passengers; In con-
versatiOn with the captain he said he thought
the steamer was to blame, and said thought SO,
zoo.
The inquest was adjourned until to-day