The New York herald., 1876-07-23
Sworn Statements by Messrs. How
land and Or shy.
STORY OF THE CREW.
What Captain Rowland Has to
Say In His Defence.
VERDICT OF THE JURY.
Further Efforts to Raise the
Vessel.

Staten Island IN mourning yesterday The
eags the public buildings and most OF the private
dwellings, were at half mast The inquest the
codes was begun At half past eight In the morning. 1t
was held in the village hall, which was crowded suf
location long before the hour fixed for the opening
the ''court, as the villagers had it, Everybody wanted
10 hear what Rowland, the captain Of the yacht,
had TO say, and the great majority Of the men, mostly
sailors, who crowded into the room, judging from the
way they talked were very much prejudiced against
Ihe unfortunate man He was brought into the court
room in charge OF sergeant of police somc time be-
fore the general crowd admitted and Of
course the observed Of all observers He looked calm
and collected, apparently looking upon the inquest
as a mere formaIity, in which he in way
concerned. However, when Fergesscn went on the
stand and testified against him his demeanor changed
considerably; he listened attenively to every word
uttered by the sailor the color coming and disappear
ing on his face like in fever. At times when
the testimony damaging to him his eyes
flashed and ho moved his hands about restlcssly.
Had he depended for his safety upon his
men he would have Jared very badly. 1t Was
.vdert from the moment that the inquest was
begun that the tide of public sentiment against
him. and tho opinion of people OF ten before
the hall opened that he would be Of
criminal negligence by the jury before leaving their
seats But the ates ordained otherwise for Colonel
Crosby's voluntary testimony proved his salvation.
the Colonel had not been aubpGnaed
Witness but he was SO outraged by tho testimony
OF Fergessen, the quartcrmaster, who evidently
was -disposed toward the Captain that could not
refrain from speaking word in his favor After the
last witness had been examined the Colonel got up and
said that he desired to make statement The Coro-
told him that no could say what he desired pro-
ldpdx xvha ho ufsdf tho hioct
matter Of the inquest When tho Colonel stood
up dead silence the court room. Almost
everybody expected to hear unciaton of Rowland
but they were disappointed. Cooy calmly he told
Of what he knew about tho Captains action on the
yacht, and SO eloquenty did no plead his
against the charges Of Fergessen that the
audience applauded him right heartily-the same
audience, by the way, which ready to
hang tho unfortunate fellow the nearest lamp
port the night before Colonel Crosby evidently be-
lieved Ferguson to be liar of the first water,
although ne did not say So and acting apparently in
this belief, he pleaded so well for Rowland while
stating that he believed him to have been negligent
but not criminally so-tnat tho audience gave him
hearty round of applause Rowland, who had ap-
pcared up to this time stolid and Unconditional as
rock completely broke down, and Colonel
Crosby In ringing tones declared that he
did not think that the reputation OF good OF
twenty-seven years. standing should be tarnshed by
the malice Of subordinate, he bowed his head and
burst into tears The Colonel while giving his state
ment asked II tho interview with him
published in the HERALD yesterday clearly
presented his views and knowledge of the disaster
On the Mohawk The question seemed to nettle him,
though he fet that the Coroner. who put it, doubted
his word. Strding up to the platform, little way
from where he seated he said upra;sing his hands
ha 4 fha 1e Nv tha Hrp
to-day is true, so help me God!" The statement as
published in the HERALD was then read
the request OF the Coroner. 1t evil
IDENTIFY made strong impression upon the audience
and while that portion being read which described
the struggle for life In the cabin silence OF death
rcgncd IN tho court room, every being anxious to
hear every word that told OF the way that Mr. Garner
lost his life in the noble effort his wife. When
the Colonel had resumed his scat 1t evident that he
had the day for Rowland and his acQuittal which
soon followed, q foregone conclusion When the
jury brought in their verdict giving him his freedom
Rowland walked to Colonel Crosby to shake hands
with him, but II is said, that the Colonel roiused
take the proTered hand, saying "Although do not
think you criminaly negligent, do believe you
were negligent" There was no excitement when the
inquest ended, and Rowland walked out into
street without any one, Of those who
anxious to hang him Thursday night uttering word
against him. The moment ne was acquitted Mr.. Pen
deton, friend of Mr. Garrer's renstacd him cap
tain or the Mohawk Rowland's act was to dismiss
Ferguson, who had testified against him.
THE INQUEST
At nine O'Clock yesterday Coroner Dempsey's jury
consisting of William Krebbs Qoreman Thomas Mel
Vile, James Proudfoot, J. c. Bailey William X
Eouther, c A. Hart, Benjamin Richards Jr.; J. X.
Morton and r. b. Minturn, assembled at the Village
Hall hoo atiuaop nd nder hetr Thc
hall crowded utmost capacity by residents Of
The island, the of the Mohawk and watermcn
from the Jersey shore The jury objected TO the pres
Of reporters and some OF them insisted that they
be excluded, but the Coroner overrulcd them
and declared that the inquest be conducted in
public The sailing master (Rowland) conducted his
defence with ability in the cross-examinaton Of The
witnesses, although at times exhibiting considerable
Bxctability.
HowLASD's STATEMENT
MT Gardner Howland's testimony, which had been
lakcn Thursday night was then read, iollows:-
was on the yacht a guest. While the vessel was
getting under way went into the cabin owing 10 a
shower. Mrs. Garner, Miss Hunter and Miss May
with me In the cabin Mr. 1hornc and Colonel
Crosby also board. Mr.. Montant was IN the
CABIN also. Mr. Garner was deck. Thought
under way because she leaned over. The vessel
suddenly careencd and rightcd again. l went to tho
companion way; the vessel then went over,
and the water rushed down the companion
way driving Mrs. Garner and Miss Hunter. who
were obs,ruceu by the furniture. Nr. Garner
and schuyler Crosby into the CABIN and
endeavoring to free Mrs Garner and Miss Hunter
from the furniture when Mr. Garner drowned with
his wiic aud Mr Crosby escaped; l think everything
happened In five minutes from OF the irst
Ing until the boat sunk; when I board the
nansail foresail and maingaiItopsail were set and
they commenced at once to hcavc anchor; when the
vessel rightcd to-day the saysail jib AID flying
jip were set; should think it was about twenty-five
from the time they began to hcavc the anchor
up bcorc she first carcenci; the lido was
running sirong, and 1t was slow work getting the
anchor up; from my position in the companion way
al the the vessel capsized, saw the captain