New-York tribune., 1876-07-24
main sheet as the yacht capsiued about two minutes

the main sheet as yacht capszed about two minutes
afterward
Charles Felt the boatswnn Of the Mohawk testified
that when the squa struck the vessel the men were
heavng anchor at the capstan, and that the captain
called out to let go the topsai halyards Some OF the
men tried TO get aft but could not because the vessel
leaned over so much He called TO the captain to look
ont for brig just ahead, and the captain ufed tle
The centerboard twothirds down; he thought the
pressure Of the strong tide upon it in direction and
Of the wind the sails in the opposite direction, to-
gether with fact that the vessel had very little head
way accounted for the capszng. In his Judgment the
would have been saved If the manSail had been
Stacked would not have kept the opsais and JDs set
in such threatening weather if he had been giving orders
He did not think, however, that Capt. Rowland was in
competent to manage the vessel or that any one should
be censurcd.
Cant. p II. Comstocb OF the yacht Phantom and Capt
James Stiwe exsailng master Of various vessels gave
as their Judgment that 1t was mpTudcnt to have all
sails set in such threatening weather The diver VIII
liam earle. testified to tie manner in which nc found
the bodies in the cabin of the submerged yacht 81.
Capt. Rowland then asked by the Coroner il he
wished to make q statement. With a clear, steady voice
he responded in the Affirmative and then proceeded to
give in brief the statement which he made to TRIBUNE
repor er Friday. While making lis statement lie was
interrupted and cOntradctod 10y FuTCcsson, ana ~ was
evident from looks aud CALCULATIONS of the crew and
many Of the listeners that he had little sympathy from
his hearers. lie told ms story, however IN Straight
forward manly way At the conclusion of his statement
he promptly answered some questions put TO HIM Dy
QuarteI1uastcr Palm and then RESUMED MS seat .
THE attention OF every person in The then
attracted 10 COL Crosby Is the Coroner announced the
desire Of that gentleman To make statement. Col
uarrntly overcome by grief he Listened In The re-
pcatcd story OF the disaster When ne to sneak ms
mingled with a shade OF Indignation, as to thrill the
spectators and cause sudden silence 10 pcrNade ihc
room. Many believed that he "H about 70 make most
sweeping s;atEment against Capt. Rowland. In "a
trembling voice. and with tears starting rom ms eyes,
he said: Yes do Wish 10 MAKE statement; hut YOU
mast excuse my nervousness. ! am cru, ci ~ tnls
terrible disaster Commodore ana Mr. EarneF Gore ore
my nearest qua u"iie~t tncid-' ana coihc ncIe
to-day to speak for ms man Capt Rowland WHOM ih
crimnatc. Capt. Rowland lacked Judgment IN the
mana cement of the ysss J; ! wish TO say for hun,
that was guilty OF criminal negligence" TT" IN
tense display NJ feeling with which he srokt was very
.r E., friends and At the same time 10 be- moved
by a feeling OF iud uaton asanst Irg,,sen; Ion Capt
dcsrc h.m justly dealt with, Yet 90 The -am" time
hc showed by his look and manner That ne d an unc"l
tTOiIbic aversion lag the as hc t"it nun 10 De IN
some wa, accountable fur the Utth ~ his friends. The
,iprt Of lis word, WI, st4ntausou- and powerful. The
C1V'. Row land broke down completely. Several VINO
had ssInp.thzod with tb. captain broke into cheer
proceeded 10 give account OF the disaster, IA or!cr 10
SHOW .hat capt. EoWl1ni was uot guilty OF criminal
NEGLIGENCE and go di,pui, the testimony OF Furg'sscu
tine uIIcruJ,icr. reading us part 81 his evidence h
ft,d ssire N was ,y dent tlt the tide OF fr.u-
anou- tnr audience had tu'ucd strongly IA Capt. Row
htl ul.r ic ugy retired FOR consultation, and after
absence OF nearly AN h"uI r,tuucd al, following V-
,.N We ind tlat the said william r. Gamer came TO his
death Pos drowning m tac yacht Mohawk on the -uih d'
vas unable o. move. being held ftst 900 the cabin by the
furniture. wG.cn lad been thrown 90 lcr"" ind by lue
ury u.hcr Say that tie evidence shows thai. Win Tie
approaching -luai % W. u" I ia,h' 20 =, I' la'ni
Eu3yr Wy, particularly WIN t"li,l, 'i' "i! ti, % l..o
.nfu,yic ui tbc cabin been fastened ana ihr hatr