The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-09
THE RECENT FATAL COLLISION.

INVESTIGATION BEFORE CORONER EICKHoFF-
SEVERAL WITNESSES EXAMINED
The investigation into the circumstances at
tending the collision between the Roosevelt street
1erryboat Alaska and the cattle transport Golden,
which occurred on pier 4s East River during the
dark fog which prevailed on the evening OF the
2sth ult-, by which Mr.. John Kullmanacher and
Charles Mourning lost their lives, was commenced
yesterday afternoon, before Coroner Eickhon, at
his once IN East Houston street.
The first witness called was Mr. Edward D. Chap.
pell, superintendent OF the New YORK and Brook
lyn Ferry Company-Knew nothing from observa-
ton about the collision. but submitted plans
showing the condition or the two boats at the time
OF the COLLISION; assisted In separating the boats
soon alter the collision; 1t was eob tide at the
Time, when the boats going to the East always
Keep on the New York side the bow Of the Golden
was over the Alaska, crushing In ABOUT nlne ieet.
Jacob lockwood, pilot OF the Alaska at the time
OF the collision, said there was log, but could
nearly across the river; was running at less than
hall speed-three or Jour KIN ts an hour; was blow
ing two Whistles all the time alter leaving the slip
on the New York side OF the river; had two deck
hands on the lookout on the hurricane deck saw
the Golden on the starooard side before the COLI.
sion she was coming very fast; imme diately rang
three bells to back; made three revolutions back
before the collision ; was making no headway attne
the star5oard side, crushing It IN; there was no
way for me to AVOID the collision: saw no differ
ence In the speed OF the Golden up to the time she
struck me; heard no fog or signal Whistles rom
the Golden; cried to the passengers and told them
the Alaska away from the Golden at the time ne
first saw her; the boats were fast together
after the collision; saw one or two men In
jured aboard the boat have been pilot on that
ferry Tor seven years: never before met with bad
accident; the boats were dragged apart by the
steamer Superior.
James McNel, engineer OF the ferryboat Alaska
at the time OF the Heard tue log whistle
blow once in every ten SECONDS; the tide was run
nng out strong ebb; were running slow alter
leaving the slip on fun speed make about TWEEN y
nine revolutions o minute; received three bells to
stop and back, and 0beyed the order; lelt the
shock OF the collision; HAD made three revolutions
back at the time oil tue collision after receiving
the bells 10 stop; eaw man VINO had
been injured lying under the guard OF the Golden
JOnn Witness is a deck hand aboard the ferry
boat Alaska was on the lookout al the time OF
the collision; 1t was iogHy. and could not see
across the river; were running slow aud hugging
the New York shore; saw the Golden before the
collisions she was heading directly toward Us and
quite last; saw no dlminuticn OF speed before she
struck us the Alaska was backing when the Col
den struck US; the pilot blew Whistles every few
seconds; heard no whistles from the Golden, ana
think she made none.
Jacob Goodrich, also deck hand on the Alaska,
corrObOrated the testimony OF the previous Wit
ness in every important particular.
Several passengers were sworn and examined,
but without throwing any additional light OF Inn
portance on the subject.
The case was adjourned until Monday next,
when the other side Of the story Will be heard.
The transport Golden belongs to the Pennsylva-
MIA Railroad Company. Ex-Judge Beebe appeared
for the ferry company.