The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-21
THE COURTS.
The Explosion Of the Boiler on
the Steamer Adelphi.
SUING A POLICE CAPTAIN.
The Killing Of Henry Madden Claimed to
Have Been Done in SeFf-Defence.

There was resumed yesterday before Judge Barrett.
holding Supreme Court Circuit the trial of the suit
bSought by James Leonard administrator of his
sister Sarah Leonard against the Columbia Steam
Navigation Company for $4,000 damages on account
of her death through the explosion of the boiler OF
the steamer Adelphi off Norwalk. Conn. the 2sth
OF last September. As on the two previous days of
tho trial the court room was crowded. the plaintiff
being represented by Christopher Fine. Leopold
Turk and General Taylor, and the defendants by
Dennis Mcmahon. On the reassembling of the Court
yesterday Mr.. Mcmahon opened the at great
length the Court and jury In his statement the
full programme of the defendants defence pre-
receiver of the North River and New York Steamboat
Company to Robert Cornell White in May, 1873 Be
gore he purchased her, Mr.. White and his chief
gneer. John A. rease, and Captain Thorp thoroughly
examined her boiler and engine and found them in
good condition, needing only some repairs to the
it to the Quntard iron Works. where the vessel was
put in thorough repair to her boiler and engine
the cost OF which was over $4,000. Mr. White had
spector. Blake who after testing the boiler. gave
q certificate under the act OF Congress
pounds of steam to the square inch. She was then
put on the Norwak route and there successfully
until the time of the explosion. Mr.. Mcmahon then
analysed the testimony OF the plaintiffs witnesses
to their theories of the causes of tho explosion
ana snow t 1na there were no two theories alike
case of an explosion of boiler at the point Of this
boierthat is to say at the base OF the arc OF the
shell OF the boiler. The boat was sold by Mr. White
to the defendants in August, 1873 The counsel then
showed that the discipline OF the line under tho adj
mnistration Of Mr. White was almost perfect the
boiler was. examined every day on the outside and
oncea week on the inside all through by the engineer
in charge. That was the rule Of the line There
q supervising engineer in charge of the general
REPAIRS man OF great experience. Every officer on
the boat was Of competent skill. The place where
hAta Itnhsk
possible to detect any defect After his opening.
setting forth the above allegations, and which
steamboat owners Of the city Of New York, Mr. Nc
Mahon called Robert Cornell White the president
OF the defendants company. whose evidence as
amount paid and the inspection, the constant SUI
pervison the boiler and engine of the boat and
in other matters. tended to confirm Mr.. McMahon's
opening. There was next called Mr. McGee, the man
ufacturer of the boiler in question, in 1875, who
showed that it an excellent boiler. well made,
Of the best material and with iron Of the tensile
strength of $4,000 and S. 900 pounds to the square
inch. Mr.. MCGEE was corroborated by tho iron mer
chant who showed that Pennock Co., the nianufac-
tsirers, rolled the IRON At this point the court adj
Iourned until Monday next.
CAPTAIN COPELAND'S CAPTURE.
On Sunday morning. the 9th Of June. 1878. the
steamer ]. d. Schuyler sought to mako her usual
landing at the Grand street pier. She had been pre-
viously warned of that dock by Harbor Master
Thompson, and he, having been informed that it was
the intention Of the boats officers to persist in max
ing landing, was present in company with Police
Captain Thomas s. Copeland and private policeman
to oppose. As the boat approached the dock Harbor
Master Thompson warned them of, and ordered
them to 60 to the dock above, which had bcen as
signed to them. The reply to this invitation
from the officers Of the boat to Captain Thompson to
steer his boat for the port OF Hades, or words to
that effect. The hawser was thrown on the dock
OF Captain Thompson. A disturbance then occurred
which called for the interference OF Captain Cope
land and his subordinate three arrests were made.
and In tho confusion which ensued Captain Cope
land and his two prisoners were forced on board the
boat, which immediately moved from the dock. As
the boat moved of Captain Copeland sung out to
his subordinate who was on the dock. to have the
police boat follow the Schuyler and take him and
schnylers officers this boat can make two miles to-
your police boats one" With this piece of infor
nation. Captain Copeland concluded to get of at
Broome street. leaving his prisoners on the boat
On the return trip from bridgeport that evening
Captain Copeland was present with force
at Thirty-third street dock, and going on board,
arrested the mate and man named Alvin Griggs on
the charge of having resisted him in the morning
At the station Mr.. Grggs protested that he had no
connection with the boat, only passenger and
took no part whatever i'll the transaction of the morn
ing. and thinking there might possibly be some mis-
take, Captain Copeland discharged him. Griggs then
brought suit i'll the Marine Court, which tried be-
fore Chief Judge Alker and jury yesterday in which
$4,000 damages sought from Captain Copeland
for false imprisonment. On the trial the plaintiff
denied positively that he took any part in the ARRAY
of the morning. He said he waiting tho
Grand street dock to go on board the boat. but
seeing that she not TO be permitted to land he
quietly walked around to Brooine street anu got
board there Captain Copeland positive that the
plaintiff did interfere with him at the Grand
street dock and that he subsequently him the
upper deck of the boat gcsticulating and urging
others to- resistance. As to the plaintiffs presence
the dock and his interference with the police
other witnesses corroborated the testimony of Cap
tain Copeland The latter's reason for making the
arrest without warrant that il Sunday aud
the police justices had rule not issue warrants
Saturday Sunday, and that he acted only sfter
consultation with magistrate. Harbor Master
Thompson and Superintendent Edward u. Chapel,
OF the Grand street ferry made codcloniants
i'll the suit with Captain Copeland but AS to them
the Judge dismissed tho action The jury. after
sral hours deliberations having failed to agree.
ordered to DO discharged