The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-31
MURDER ABOARD SHIP.

THE RESULT OF SATURDAY NIGHT SPREE
AMONG sAILoRs-sTABBED TO THE HEART By
DRUNKEN FRIEND.
The steamer Alsatia Of the Anchor line. lay at the
foot of West Tenth street yesterday morning. At
about four o'clock Officer Lally, of the Ninth pre-
cinct, who post at the place, was startled by
sounds OF contention and angry cries in the fore
CASTLE The clash of knives and the clamor Of voices
came clear and distinct from the steamers hold.
Officer Lally leaped tho fence and reaching the
deck glanced into the dim retreat below. There
were n score or two of talking and gesticulating
excitedly while a group stood in the with
their eyes hxed upon object the floor at their
feet.
whats going on here7" the officer asked Of one
of tho hands,
'sOh, there's o been killed.. the other replied
doggedly as he skunk away.
At this the officer returned to the deck and called
for assistance. James d. Cassemer. Custom House
officer. responded to the summons. and soon after
several of the officers of the vessel Joined him.
Drawing their rcvolvers tho party descended to the
forecastle. At the time ordering the men there
not to stir for their lives.
LYING DEAD ON THE DECK.
In tho dim light of the vessels lanterns IL Diff
cult 10 distinguish anything at first in tho throng
and hubbub. but presently they caught sight Of
Tracey. one Of the crew. and the pallor
of his face. with the clenched teeth and
staring eyes, showed that he was dead.
breast showed where tho deadly wound had been
inflicted. Beside him lay q blood stained knife.
Among the bystanders was one James Tobin, . coal
passer. who stumbling about and gruInbling
incoherently. He was quite stupefcd with liquor,
and when the officer picked up the knife and asked
who the owner was the man glared at him in dazed
and sullen way. One OF the vessels officers taking
the weapon turned to him and asked IL IL was his.
without moments hesitation he acknowledged
that II was. He was ct once put under arrest. and
seven eight OF the crew taken into custody to
act witnesses With these in charge and thcir
revolvers still in hand the party mounted to the
upper deck. aud Officer Lally sending word tothe
station house was reinforced by detachment Of
men who aided In taking the prisoners there.
NO SERIOUS MOTIVE.
Inquiries failed to reveal any positive motive for
the crime. Tracey and Tobin had been friends for
long time. and it only in tho height OF intoxca
ton, when both were almost senseless from drink
that tho words had passed between them which led
to the tragedy. IL seems that number of the crew
of the lsatia went OIL on spree on Saturday night
and visited number OF neighborng saloons in West
street. Thence they proceeded to y house in Canal
street, and thence TO still another in Greenwich
street. They oil more less intoxicated
by this time. and the murderer Processes to
have no recollection of what TRANSFERRED after
ward. From the story OF others OF the
crew it appears that they returned to the
vessel, and while a drunken alteration was going
on, in which nearly all were concerned, Tobn drcw
keen blade cut into the region OF the heart aud death
almost instantaneous. Yesterday morning
Tobin was taken to the Coroner's Office and COM
mittcd till Tuesday. when the inquest will be held.
The witnesses taken under escort to the House
of Detention.
MURDERER AND VICTIM.
Tobin In twcnty-eght years of age, single, has
been employed ON the Anchor line OF steamers for
the past thirteen months and previous to that was
'longshoreman. Tracey was thirty years of age and
was engaged as hrcman ON board OF the Asstia