The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-12
EIREMEN AND YACHTS.
Testimony Taken In Invcstigation by the
brooklyn Fire Commissioners.

The trial of two officials Of the Brooklyn
Department OF City Works on a charge of con-
spiracy to defraud tho city cut of $50 900 by
maintaining snecurists on the pay rolls Of the
department is exciting much interest because
Of the charge that the trial is the result Of a
political conspiracy 10 get the Commissioners
out OF Office by the aid Of the criminal courts.
The other departments in Brooklyn which
came into power in the same political revolu-
tion are in sympathy with the indicted Com
missioners The Fire Department Commits
sioners recently held an investigation into the
previous management Of that department. when
Mr. Frederick $. Massey, now the President Of
the Department ~ City Works. was at its head.
Mr. Massey is the chief witness against the de-
iendnntS IN the present criminal proceedings
Tuesday about tho yacht-building story. made
the subject Of the Commissioners investga-
tion. ana he denied that any yacht belonging 10
him was ever built by members of the fire
Department.
The testimony taken by the Commissioners in
their Investigation was made public yesterday.
William Baardall. who was foreman OF the
paint, department in 1872 and 1878. testified
Fire Commissioner Hugh Mclaughlin. Presi-
dent Massey and Chief Engineer Nevlns. Also
painted the yacht Oracle. nj the foot OF Thirty,
sixth street. about five years ago. and painted
n sailing yacht. The paint came from the de-
partment supplies, but 1t was afterward re-
turned. He was about week painting another
yacht. called the Harvey Mclaughlin. lie
also painted duck boat. and the men in the
repair yard painted over one hundred decoy
ducks aud some duck shooting boxes.
James Lynch. the Superintendent OF the Re-
pair Yard, swore that in 1872 or 1873 he re.
ceived orders for machinery for yacht and
supplied the castings OF the engines. He buii
an engine and he and two detailed men. Green
and Guendman. were employed for two OF three
weeks In putting the engine in the yacht at the
foot OF Thirty-siNth street. They got their or
ders from the Chief Engineer. There WINS q
larger yacht built in house near engine No. 2
the engine for which was built in the repair
yard. There were nhOut twenty pounds OF iron
used. which came from the departments sup
plies. In 1872 Lynch bought the steam yacht
Grncic for Mr.. Massey ~ New Jersey. and he
and another member Of tho department. brought
her 20 BROOKLYN and in 1874 or 1878 he oyer.
Massey. Then with James Dale he took the
boat to the Thousand Islands and was gone
about six days. lie delivered the boat NJ Cape
ST. Vincent He put the machinery into another
YACHT. which some tim" after that he also took
To- the Thousand Islands. with three members
Of the department. They We're gone five days
and they delivered her TO Pres dent Massey. He
knew that the Gracle belonged 10 Mr.. Massey
! but he could not tell about the other boat.
james Dale. who was District Engineer. ties
! titled that he acted as engineer on Mr.. Massey
boat. but said that wnen h" took her to th'
Thousand Islands he was on n leave OF absence
| The witness explained that he did not know
| that repair yard men had put the machinery
| into the other yacht He simply saw the iner
| there
The Fire Commissioners have not yet finished
| their Investigation.