The New York herald., 1876-07-23

stationary to prevent its shifting.
COLONEL JOHN SCHUYLER CROSBY
appeared and asked to be He then read from
the HERALD Of yesterday his statement OF the scenes
and incidents attending the death Of his companions
The witness much affected and seemed oppressed
by the memory Of the he had witnessed in the
cabin OF the Mohawk; he said he wished to make
statement as he did wish a mans reputation
blasted for life; said he, ~ crushed by this
terrible disaster; Commodore and Mrs Garner were
my nearest and dearest friends and como here to.
day to speak for this man. Captain Rowland whom this
pointing to Quarermaster Fergussen) trying to
criminate; Captain Rowland lacked judgment in the
management OF the vessel; wish to say for him,
man who hasshad so much experience in seamanship,
that he was not guilty Of criminal negligence"
The Colonel put his handkerchief to his eyes, and
Captain Rowland seemed almost ready to 60 into con-
vusions. Every in the room, with the exception
OF the Quarermaster and his immediate friends, SYM
pathlzed with the Captain and were ready to applaud
him. Some of the spectators tho portion OF the
hall capped their hands, but the Coroner checked the
outburst The Quartermaser and two or thrco Of his
friends repeatedly interrupted Colonel Crosby and the
jurymen called on the Coroner to quiet them
Then Colonel Crosby, very much Affected said, "The
statement in this mornings HERALD Is true SO help
me God" The jurymen asked him TO read it, and he
did SO, charging and making comments as he went
along.
Mr. Crosby stated that II true In every particu-
lar and added that many Of the statements made by
Quartcrmaster Fergessen, alias Thompson hc knew to
be talse including the assertion that he attempted to
rescue Mrs. Garner and it was due to Captain Row.
land this that his character may not be placed
In jeopardy by the testimony Of a who has shown
himself to be liar. While he did not feel satisfied
with the way Mr. Rowland had acted under the trying
circumstances, he did desire that his professional
reputation should be blasted by tho testimony Of
unreliable Fergessen While in the
cabin he hoard Rowland give tho order
to let 20 the mainsail, but the orier
too late to be executed Had the Captain given any
orders such as he claims he did Colonel Crosby
serted he would certainly have heard them in the cabin
The vessel had, in his opinion entirely too much sail
when riding at anchor, and 1t very bad judgment
on the Captains part to pcrmitit.
Charles Forseby, q seaman OF the Mohawk, testified
that he and other sailors below to assist get
ting the ladies out; he could not soy whether Fer
gessen was OF the number however.
r. ROWLAND,
sailing of tho Mohawk, then the stand and
gave his testimony follows:-
My name is Oliver p. Rowland; was master Of the
yacht Mohawk camo down by tho two o'clock boat
from town on Thursday; when l went board the
Mohawk Commodore Garner and party board
thought should have breeze the ofthe tide
it began rain little and the Commodore and party
went below; the men were heaving up anchor; gave
orders to draw away the b, and tho staysa kept
to windward by orders OF quart ermastcr thcn gave
orders draw away all round; tue vessel had lled
all her sails were filled; l mean the upper
part Of her mansail, foresa and Jib; the boaswain
said there was brig ahead; 1t was little thick and
could not plain; luGed her up little; then
this heavy vein Of wind struck aoft and hove
down, with rail under water; 1t only lasted minute
two; gave orders to let the foretopsa run down
and haul down the b OF these orders carried
out except the foretopsal hauled nearly down to
the mashead let go the main sheet myself and
Off about one-third Of the way and brought up in the
block, taking my ocloth coat with it and binding
there jerked myself clear; Mr. Garner stood
and quite COOL tho vessels rail and part Of the deck
In the water ut the time; the vessel had lost all
seerage way and think her rudder was out of water;
told the Commodore TO get his wife and party out
the vessel sinking; he went below and
saw him again
ITO juror,-I did not feel the squal on deck only
slightly; it only aIoft; Mr.. Garner gave me the
order to get under way have been following this
business years old, and have never had
accident before; am ftty-three years old;
think tho explanation given by the boatswain
substantially correct; If tho ballast had not
shifted she would have rghted, think; the ballast
under the floor OF tho grand saloon and the floor
Is full of trap DOORS not fastened at ALL this Is the
in yachts; think that the ballast ought to be
secured firmly in all yachts, and that the furniture
be secured likewise; after the danger appeared
there no tmo opportunity for to assist Com
modore Garner the ladies.
Cross-examned by Frederick Palm-whcn did you
slack the sheet A. When the rail and part of
the deck were under water.
O. How much of main sheet went outa A. About
one-third.
VERDICT.
The jury retired about o'clock for deliberaton,
and remained out for nearly hour. Meanwhile the
Captain remained cool and unconcerncd and chatted
pleasantly with tho reporters laughing at tho absurd
started in the papers about his insanity, and
expressing his belief that tho jury would
him. At last there n shuling OF feet the door,
when the jury in and rendered the following
dict:-
We find that tho said william 7. Garner came his
death drowning the yacht Mohawk the 10Th dny Of
july attempt to rescue his wife, who
unable being held fast In the cabin by the urIi
turs which had been thrown leewad and by the ballast
whch had broken through the flooring The jury ug
say that the evidence shows that with the approach
ing squa it prudent the yacht under way
particularly with opsas and that had the furniture
the cabin been fastened and tho ballast under the cabin
floor lives of Mr. Mrs. and Miss
Hunter would probably been saved The further
say is evidence of criminal negligence the
part of the sailing master. Oliver p. Rowland
In the OF Peter Sullivan the cabin boy tho jury
found tho following verdict
That said Peter Sullivan his death by drown
ing yacht Mohawk tho 10Th july they fur
er say evidence Of criminal neggcnce
the part Of the sailing master. Oliver T. Rowland
The verdict IN the Of Mrs. Garner is precisely
the same that the OF her husband except the
reference to Mr. Garners courageous attempt
bis wife, which of course is omitted.
The verdict in the of Miss Hunter is exactly the
same as that in the case OF Mrs. Garner
CAPTAIN ROWLAND THEN DISCHARGED
by the Coroner and tho proceedings ended He pro-
a., edcd la,cr 10 tho Coroncrs office md acmandiuo