The New York herald., 1876-12-16
COLLISIONS IN THE BAY.

THE CRYSTAL WAVE VS. THE MIDDLETowN-
ALLEGED PERJURY IN THE CAsE-BoTH
PILOTS FINED FIFTY DoLLAns-TuE SINKING
or THE NOVELTY.
Tho following reports, which wcrc submitted TO Cap
tain Low yesterday, tell their own story
OYrIcK or LOCAL INsrEcrSRs STEAK VESSELS,
NEW YORK, Dec. Is, 1876
ADDISON Low, Supervising Inspector Second United
sIa-wc have the honor 10 report to you the result
OF an investigation hold by this Board oi collision
which occurred on The tho 4th OF Novem-
Der last between tho staten Island fcrryboas hidlc-
town ysia Wave, The f0fmcr bound
10 Staten Island and the latter 10 Sandy Hook Tho
Investigation lasted thrco days, during which time
twenty witnesses were examined. whose testimony
OF tho most contradictory character. Perjury
was evidently committed, and u is only 10 DO re-
g, ,~t,cd TINT II cannot be fastened upon the guilty
pariic.
docks about the same time the Middlctowu from
White n all slip and the Crystal Wavo from pier No s
North River. and proceeded down tho bay, approach
Ing each other At an acute angie. When just below
Bed os's Island tho course OF the Crystal Wavo was
altered more to tho westward. which brought them on
u parallel course. They were then abreast and be-
tween 200 and 800 feet apart Tho Crystal Wave
being the fastest boat kept gaining until sh0 was
hall her length the loading boat on the star.
shcarcd toward each other and colded, the Mddciown
Striking tho Crystal Wave about ten feet abat the afcr
gangway, tho port SIDE with her s,arboard bow.
Mr.. Brnistcd, tho superintendent of the Terry con-
pany, who was steering the Middetown al tho time,
tcHInca tnat tho Cryttal Wnve tOUk rank snrer
across his bow which caused tho collision This
menl tho part OF the Crystal Wave seems to us IN
credible, that any sane man. with lie and property
Al, his charge would place his vessel, much lighter
ono freighcd Win human lifc, directly across the
bows much larger boat, going n. the ratio Of nine
George w. Kelly master, and James &. Hubbs
pilot Of the Crystal Wave, testify that from time 10
lime they were runnns on a parallel course prior to
and up tho time Of tho collison their course was
Tho character Of all tho cviaoncs As contradictory
h. Ssslfn nf
corrcct coneusions IN a case OF this Kind. However,
we know this instance that rule IL and NTH situa
ton Of diagram, adopted by tho Board Vi Super
vising inspectors OF Steam vessels &c. tor the gos
ornmcnt oi pilots on steam vessels has been violated
James y. Hubbs. pIlo, Of the Crystal Wave, bad tho
right oi way but violated rule IL by not giving the
proper signal for passing The Mddictown Tor which,
In compliance with section 4l3 Revised statutes, wc
hereby nnt him tho sum OF $50, aud he ~ nncd.
James N Braistcd, acting Ms plot oi tac Madleown
nj the time or The collision Tor violating hfth SITUATION
ot dagram and for not Stopping his boat IN time 10
avoid collision which, under the circumstances, u
mis- duty 10 do IN comparcs with section "f Rc
vscd Statutes heretofore named, hereby nncd In tho
sum oi $50, aud no Is so lined.
There wcro lives lost persons Injured Tho
damage TO the Crystal Wave was about 300; TO tho
Mddletown II slight copy OF the evidence takon
In tho case is herewith annexed.
Very respectfully, your nbcdicnt servants,
JEREMIAH sINoXSoN,
JOHN X. MATTHEW'S
United States Local Inspectors District Of New York.
rnx sovELrr COLLISION.
Tho pilot, Samuel henorman, OF the stcams hip
Novelty, OF Newark. y. j.. mas mAuc tho foltowtng
statement to the Board concerning collision o that
vessel with q schooner in the lower bay
~ lett Clifton, staten Island, pound Tor Florida, and
when opposite the upper end OF West Bank saw
thrcc mastcd schooner tho lee bow. bound up the
bay. l hauled more TO tho westward, stcaminR
directly alter the steamship Dictator. All a. once
noticed She wndwafd schooner holding her luh, and,
nndng impossible TO cross her bow, stopped the
engines and backed; but, the schooner going much
faster than ire steamer coud nos prevent the col.
lslon Inc striking the schooner forward o!
tho main chains break nc BOWS o. tnc scancr anu
tho IRON, causing her TO sink. Tho Schooner never
stopped 10 SEQ II wc sinking or not tackled and
stood 70 the Westward nbont and stood up the
bar i'm rcdascly steamed for station Island shore "