The Portland daily press., 1871-08-04
NEW YORK.
investigation of the Ferry Boat ExpIo-
sion,

NEW YORK, Aug. 1.-The investigation COM
menced to-day. Among those that testified
was Robinson, the engineer. He testiged that
had been an engineer nearly fifteen years, hav.
ing now o certificate given in 1869, signed by
John w. Weeks and John K Mathews, gov
eminent inspectors, and this is the fourth GER
tiicate that he hes had. He testifies that there
was 20 pounds when he arrived and few min
utes later there was y pounds. In the mean
time he had been taking in water. After OBJ
serving that there was q lbs, it was but a few
moments before the explosion occurred. He
did not know whether or not the guage was
correct. When there was no steam in the
guage it sometimes stood at 2 lbs, sometimes at
zero. They usually used 20 to % lbs 1t was
so arranged as to blow off at 25 lbs, though it
showed q. Robinson seemed ignorant of gen.
eral matters-cOuld'nt tell the square of 5 or
the difference between high and low pressure
and gave the meaning of vacuum to be foul at
mOsphere. he said there were sometimes lit
tie pm holes in the engines; testified that he
could not read and that he was ordered not to
blow off steam least he should frighten the
passengers. When he had very high pres.
sure, he got permission from the Superinteud-
ent TO blow off, if on board, otherwise he would
lift the valve.
One of the officers testified that Robinson
was considered one of the most careful and
faithful men employed.
w. A. LightfOot, commissioner by the Su-
pervising Inspector to examine the engine, had
discovered an 18 inch rent between the upper
and lower flues, port side, where it could not
be seen and could scarcely be touched. This
must have existed some time, otherwise the
engine was good as ever. Rent did not go
| right throuah the sheet, but was covered out
| side by good IRON. 1t ought to have borne 30
pounds. The attachments of the guase were
not as he would have them. The valve was OK
| idized aud in unwork manlike order, and in a
shocking state and would bear 60 lbs without
blowing. The accident was caused by over
pressure and not explosion out of rupture
Capt. BREASTED, Superintendent of the Com.
pany, testified to the capacity and efficiency of
| the engineer, though he had been threatened
with discharge for carrying q pounds Stated
that beer wagons crossing sometimes gave the
| hands kegs of lager, but had not that day as
| he was certain. The engineer was perfectly
| sober, and he had confidence in hun DESPITE
the accident, and would as soon risk life with
him as ever
THE CASUALTIES.
The names of 81 dead victims of the explo-
sion were published this afternoon, together
| with those of seven missing who are supposed
to be dead. Timothy Buckley died to day and
four Others including a German named Fred
erick Leming and wife, who were Immediately
| taken home BY their son, who escaped I'M
harmed, and who were not known to be in
| jured till to-day, are in precariOus condition
and their recovery is impossible.
Judge Assaulted.
Thomas Conley of Brooklyn rough, whose
brother was sentenced by Justice Walsh for
| robbery assaulted the Justice in that CITY this
| afternoon and struck him repeatedly in the
face. He snatched club Iom an officer who
sought to arrest him and again rushed at the
Justice who then drew a revolver to protect
himself. Conley was secured.