The New York herald., 1871-08-22
THE wEsTrrELD EXPLOSION.

Inquest Over the Brooklyn Victims.
The inquest over the Brooklyn victims OF the West
nelc disaster was resumed yesterday. before Coroner
whitehill and jury, al the Brooklyn Moryue In Will
loughby street. large number Of persons were
present to listen to the evidence.
EVIDENCE OF CAPTAIN JAMES BRAIsrED.
Captain James Braisted testified that he was the
superintendent OF the Staten Island Jerry and last
fall had reported the necessity OF new water bot
tom for the use OF the Westneld; when repairs
necessary the engineers reported to him, and he
caused the work TO be done: he also appointed the
engineers, and gave Robinson the position ne occu-
pied on the Westfeld; Robinson was examined be-
fore the United States Inspectors as to his capa-
bility az an engineer; the cerrincate on the West
ned allowed them TO carry twenty-five pounds or
steam, but one morning he saw the steam as high
as twentyseven pounds one Of the boats; never
saw 1t on Robinsons boat: he cautioned the engf-
neer not 70 carry much steam again. always found
Robinson perfectly sober; Mr. Vanderbilt knew Rob-
lnson's qualifications as an engineers Robinson has
superintended repairs OF boilers and consider he
was competent TO discharge his duty; the boiler OF
the Westfeld about nine years old; the money
received from passengers for that trip was mixed
with that received during the earlier portion Of the
day. SO that there was no means OF ascertanlng the
exact number OF passengers on board when the ex-
plos!on took place; never had occasion TO reprl-
mand Robinson; have never discharged an engineer
for ncompetency or intemperance: relied as much
on Robinson a. would on practical ana an ecu
ca ted engineer: have formed no opinion az to the
cause OF the explosion; have seen the boiler; nave
not had an opportunity TO investigate as 10 the
cause Of the accident.
EVIDENCE OF THE FIREMAN.
MoDer, Crossoh oelng sworn tesaned-i i've az
Quarantine staten Island; was fireman on the
Westeld at the time OF the explosion: went on dury
about auar!er to Twelve % o'clock lnat day; Patrick
with me; my partner tried the water when we went
on board ne reported TOUR full COCKS Of water; we
started from Staten island about hali-past twelve
O'Clock; don't know the amount Of steam we had on;
tried the water at New York just before entering
the siip found steam and water In the fourth COCK;
| on entering the slip the engineer rang 10 uncover
the fires: Fnnegan and did so; have heard the en-
| ony TWENTY-FIVE ponnds of steam: cannot say
| whether more than this amonnt has ever been
| the steam exceed twenty -fve pounds at any time
some years ago heard Robinson say that she carried
thrty-nve pounds when in good order; Tins was
previous to my beng employed as fireman by the
company; after unccvertng the fires, cleaned
around and then stood on the grating OF the fire.
water; returned to the fre room; have no know
ledge OF the amount OF steam on thar time, or at
hre room when ! went IN; opened the fire room
doors. doors. fearing there might be TOO much
steam but % welt ct s had up plenty e Of aamSer sa
was open; about minute and half after the doors
were were opened the government govern ~ valve commenSed % to
leading down 10 the IRE room when heard noise
the SarbOard side as OF the head OF boat being
blown or; first heard Doisehke steam and water
escaping as from crack; saw the steam was get
ting rather thick proceeded towards the tre.esCape
ladder, and when about ten feet from the boiler
something struck the steam scalded the side Of
my face; went up the ladder and met the engineer
at the trapdoor; when got TO the deck everything
was in runs, and people were jumping overheard
from all sides; never saw Robinson under the In
nuence OF liquor; sometimes saw him take glass
OF beer: on tne 3Utn or July the engineer, Finne-
gan nor had ANYTHING Intoxicating to drink
that l know OF; II was a general thing
TO leave Vanderbilt landing with four cocks OF water,
anu to stop feeding at Quarantine; it Is not neces-
sary TO put on extra steam on sundays; don't remem
her hearing Robinson say that the steam gauge was
two pounds out Of the way.
Robert E. Brown, being sworn, testihed-l am
practical engineer IN the employ OF the Staten
Island Ferry Company; on the morning OF the 30th
or July ran the Westrel0 from seven till twelve
O'Clock; Robinson relieved me; at tnat time there
never, that l remember exceeded twenty-five
pounds allowed by the government Inspector; did
not at any time on The Sunday IN question have
more than twenty-five pounds on; mad no occasion
ing the past year; have never been inside OF the
boiler OF the Westfeld: think that thorough en-
animation Of boilers should be made every SIX
months for public safety; with the doors OF the
ield would not be snfclent TO carry away the sur
plus steam: never Knew that was allowed TO eX-
coed twenty-five pounds OF steam bv the govern
meDt Inspector: my instructions are not 10 go be-
yOnd that amount the safety waive has biown on at
twenty five pounds OF steam have noticed the boat
icing taken of an keel by the weight Of the
passengers on one side; tins would drive the water
from the pipes and miGpt result in an explosion;
have never asked Captaln BralsIed for syphOn
gauge. because had done so he would have replied
'sIne boat runs good enough"
Charles West was next examined, and the inquest
was then adjourned until ten O'Clock today.