New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-22
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
THE AERIAL LADDER DISASTER.

THE AERIAL LADDEh DiShSibh'
CONTINUATION or THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
CHIEF BATES OF TIE FIRE DEPARTMENT As 10
TIE SAFETY AND USE OF THE LADDERS.
Coroner Croker continued yesterday morning
the inquest in the Of the hreladder accident.
Among those present were Mrs. ScottUda, accompanied
by her mother william b. White. and Chief Bates OF the
Fire Department The first witness was THOMAS u Lee
fireman OF Hook and Ladder Company NO y, VINO WIS
on the ladder when FELL aud who told similar story
to that already told by the men who were WIN MN AZ
that time
Chief Eli Bates OF the Fire Department gave history
~ the Use of the ttUda ladder by the Department.
Chief Nash ordered to use 1t III pracucc III Ills own
time and pleasure, and when the men were periec' III
handling it he was to report The ladder mad never ye
been used at fires. On the morning OF the accdeh'
when the witness that some OF the men nao gone
higher than he thought safe, he called to them to
come down. Chief Nash the top at the time The
witness considered that II several men we're 10 mount tue
ladder no should higher than % feet OF a"o"'
the fifth section He would be perfectly Wiling 'ha' one
man should go TO the top. provided there weie no
Others upon the ladder He told Chief Nash on dereht
occasions that 1t was safe for moro than one man 10
o, 70 the top OF the ladder After the witness called the
men down. he observed right side Of the second sec
ton from the truck bulge out and immediately te aduer
broke He believed that the cause OF the break was me
extended leverage and the weight upon me auuei' ino
same ladder had been out for practice different Occa
sOns The entire experiment was under Tue charge vi
Chief Nash. = a., -
The ladder was first used, the witness continued IN the
latter part OF June in Waverey place but man went
TO the top No accidents had Happened with any OF the
ladders built by the city before that under investigation
The witness described the experiment made in City Hal
Park years ago with ladder 20 feet long and
also the second experiment with ladder 125 feet long,
also in City Hall Park. The witness had recommended
adoption OF the ladder by the Department because
he considered theD he considered now that the ladder
could be used with perfect safety. They are built by
contract but the witness could not say whether they
furnished according TO the terms OF the contract
II the witness had thought them unsafe he would have
ordered them out Of service 1t would not be safe fof
more than four five to OF these ladders
and than should go with "a line OF hose
The inquest was then adjourned until p. III. to-day
and ladder exhibited in Mulberry-st, near Hous
toist the and the jury The ladder was
put together eight sections and raised to an elevation
of 70 degrees in minutes Although considerable
wind was blowing the exhibition which was under me
direction Of Chief Bates perfectly satisfactory The
testimony Mrs. ida will probably be taken today
with that OF several ladder builders The investigation
ordered Chief Bates has been completed and the re-
suit will be submitted to the Police Commissioners
to-day