The New York Herald Newspaper, July 23, 1876, Page 3

v] THE WRECKED MOHAWK. —_-____ Formal Inquest by the Coroner on Staten Island. INTERESTING TESTIMONY ADDUCED Sworn Statements by Messrs. How- land and Or-sby. STORY OF THE OREW. ‘What Captain Rowland Has to Say In His Defence, VERDICT OF THE JURY. Further Efforts to Raise the Vessel. Staten Island was in mourning yesterday, The Bags on the public buildings and on most of the private Swellings were at half mast, The inquest on the oodies was begun at half past eight inthe morning. It was held in the village hall, which was crowded to suf- focation long before the hour fixed for the opening of the “court,” as the villagers nad it. Everybody wanted to 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 the unfortunate man. He was brought into the court ftoom in charge of a sergeant of police, somo time be- fore the general crowd was admitted, and was of tourse the observed of all observers, He looked calm and collected, apparently looking upon the inquest 4s a mere formality, 1a which he was in no way toncerned. However, when Fergesson went on tho Stand and testified against him his demeanor changed tonsiderably; he listened attentively to every word Qltered by the gailor, the color coming and disappear- img on his face like oneina fever, At times when the testimony was damaging to him his eyes flushed and ho moved his hands about restlesily. Had he depended for his safety upon his own men he would have fared very badly. It was vidert from the moment that the inquest was begun that the tide of public sentiment was against bim, and the opinion of nine people out of ten before the hall was opened was that he would be convicted of criminal negligence by the jury before leaving their teats, But the fates ordainea otherwise, for Colonel Crosby’s voluntary testimony proved his salvation. The Colonel had not been subpoenaed as a witness, but he was so outraged by the testimony of Fergessen, the quartermaster, who evidently ‘Was {ll-disposed toward the Captain, that he could not fefrain from speaking a word in his favor. After the last witness had been examined the Colonel got up and said that he desired to make a statement, The Coro- per told him that he could say what he desired, pro- vided what he wanted to say relerred to the subject matter of the inquest’ When the Colonel stood up a dead silence came over the court room. Almost everybody expected to hear a denanciation of Rowland; but they were disappointed. Coolly ana calmly he told of what he knew about the Captain’s action on the yacht, and so eloquently did he plead his causo as against the charges of Fergessen that the audience applauded him right heartily—the same audience, by the way, which was ready to hang tho unfortunate fellow to the nearest lamp- Porttne night betore. Colonel Crosby evidently be- lieved Fergussen to be a har of the first water, although he did not say so, and, acting apparently in this belief, he pleaded so well for Rowland, even while stating that he believed him to have been neghigent— but not criminally so—that the audience gave hima hearty round of applause. Rowland, who had ap- peared up to this time as stolid and unemotional asa rock, completeiy broke down, and as Colonel Crosby in ringing tunes declared that he did not think that the reputation of a good seaman of twenty-seven years’ standing should be tarnished by the malice of a subordinate, he bowed his head and burst into tears, The Coloncl white giving his state- Ment was asked if tho interview with him published in the Heratp yesterday clearly re- presented his views and knowledge of the disaster ou the Mohawk. The question scemed to nettle him, as though he felt that the Coroner, who put it, doubted his word, Striding up to the platform, a little way from where he was seated, he said, upraising his hands as he uttered the woris, “My statement in the Hzratp to-day is true, so help me God!” The statement as published in the Heratp was then read, at the request of the Coroner. It evi- dently made a strong impression upon the audience, and while that portion was betug read which described the struggle for life in the cabin asilence of death reigned n tho court room, every one being anxious to hear every word that told of the way that Mr. Garner Jost his life in the noble eflort to save his wife, When the Colonel had resumed his seat it was evident that he had won the day for Rowland, and his acquittal, which soon followed, was a foregone conclusion, When the Jury brought in their verdict, giving him his freedom. Rowland walked over to Colonel Crosby to shake hanas with him, but, it is said, that the Colonel rofused vo take the proifered hand, saying “Although I do not think yon were criminally negligent, I do believe you were negligent.” There was no excitement when the Inquest was ended, and Rowland walked out into the Street without any one, even of those who were anxious to hang him on Thursday might, uttering a word against him, “The moment he was acquitted Mr. Pen- dieton, a friend of Mr. Garner's, reinstated him as cap- tuin of the Mohawk. Rowland’s first act was to dismiss Fergusson, who had testified against him. THE INQUEST. At nine o’clock yesterday Cororer Dempsey’s jury, consisting of William Krebbs (foreman), Thomas Mel- ville, James Proudfoot, J. ©. Bailey, William K. Souther, C. A. Hart, Benjamin Richards, Jr.; J. K. Morton and R. B. Minturn, assembled at the Village Hall to hear testimony and render their verdict The ball was crowded to its utmost capacity by residents of the island, the crew of the Mohawk and watermen from the Jersey shore. The jury objected to the pres- ence of reporters and some of them insisted that they must be excluded, bat the Coroner overruled them aod declared that the inquest must be conducted in public. The sailing master (Rowland) conducted his fefenge with ability in the cross-examination of the qitnesses, although at times exhiviting considerable sxcitability, MR. HOWLAND’S STATEMENT. Mr. Gardner Howland’s testimony, which had been taken on Thursday night, was thea read, as follows:— 1 was on the yacht as a guest, While the vessel was getting under way went into the cabin owing to a shower. Mrs. Garner, Miss Hunter and Miss May were with me inthe cabin. Mr. Thorne and Colonel Crosby also were on board, Mr. Montant was in the cabin also, Mr. Garner was on deck, Thought wo were under way because she leaned over. The vessel suddenly careened and righted again. I wentto tho companion way; the vessel then went over, aud the water rushed down the companion ay, driving Mrs, Garner and Miss Hunter, who Were obstructed by the furniture, Mr Garner and sebuyler Crosby came into the cabin and were endeavoring to free Mrs, Garner and Miss Hunter from the furniture when Mr, Garner was drowned with his wile aud Mr. Crosby escaped; I think everything heppened in five minutes from time of the first careen- ing until the boat sank; when I went on board the niainsail, foresail and maingaffiopsail were’ set, and tuey commenced at once to heave anchor; wien the vessel was righted to-day the staysail, jib ad flyin jiu were set; should think it was about twenty-five minutes (rom the tune they began to heave the anchor up vefore she first careeuel; the tide was runuing strong, and it was slow work getting the auehor up; from my position in the companion way ,atthe ume the vessel capsized, 1 saw the captain at ue wheel When land Mr, Moutant were in the com- panion way Miss May reached us and we were sup- porting and assisting her there, and helping to pass up furniture which was passed up from the saloon to re- lieve the pressure on Mra, Garner and Miss Hunter, ‘This continued until we were all three washed away, THORWALD FURGESSES, the quartermaster of the Mohawk, was the first witness summoned, He testified as follows :— My real name 1s Thorwald Furgessen, but I am commonly called Thomas Thompson; I was quarter- master on the Mohawk at the time of tno disaster; the weather was dark and cloudy; topsails and jibs were set; the main and fore sheets were fiat aft; I let go the maingaffopsail halyards without orders; I was trying to get the foresheet, but failed, as the deck was keeled over and covered with water; I lost my footing and swam; I made my way into the cabin and found Commodore Garner trying to save his wife, who was jammed in and who could not move; the main- sail, foresail jibs and gafftopsails were set when the accident occurred; I don’t know whether the jibs were set before the anchor was broken trom the ground; when she righted after frst careening 1 heard no orders given, Captain Rowland, who frequently interrupted and cross-examined the witness, wanted to know where the witness was at that time, Witness—I was going forward to tell them to draw away jibs, Captain Rowland—Who told you to go forward? Witness—You had previous!y told me to go forward when they did not hear; I got no order to let go main- top balyards; the first thing I let go was the maintop- sail; I came forward to tell them to let go. Captain Rowland—Did you think I was frightened? Witness—I don’t know; at tho time tbe second gust struck the yacht I was trying to got at the fore- sheets. To the Coroner—I felt sure the captain would let the mainsheet go. ‘To a Juror—The captain gave orders to heave anchor and set sails; we were heaving anchor when sbo first keeled. Coroner—Could you have done anything to save the vessel if orders had been given? Witness—Yes, Coroner—Were any orders given? Witness—None that i heard. ‘The captain cross-examined witness, but elicited no now features or facta, The latter turther stated in addition that it was the duty of the sailors to do all they can, without orders, to.save the vessel; he heard no orders given by the captain to Jower the mainsail; had the captain lowered the mainsail and put bis helm up the vessel, he thought, might have been saved. FREDERICK PALM, quartermaster, gave testimony similar to the statement published in yesterday’s Hxnatp, When the squall awakened me, he said, I heard the captain’s order to lower away the maintopsail. The witness described the position of the vessel and the sails, and said if the mainsail had been low- ered the vessel would mot have sunk; he saw the captain make no effort to save life or the vessel, or give any order to the crow; the men had instructions never to do anything without the captain’s order, To Captain Rowland—When she was first struck I was in the cockpit; I went out and tried to slack away the main sheet, but could not reach it; it was about two minutes from the time I came on deck unt! she went over; if you had given orders to lower away the mainsail it would Dave beon of no use, as there was no time to do jt, CHARLES FELT, boatswain of the Mohawk, testified that it was nearly two P. M. before the mainsail was hoisted; then they set the maintopsail and hove in more anchor chain while waiting for the captain’s return irom New York; the captain came aboard alittle after three; set the fore- topsail on the port side; Mr. Garner came a little after four and told the captain to get under way; the anchor was bove short, the wind west-southwest; tue jibs were sot and the captain gave the order to heave up; when the anchor was clear of the bottom the cap- tain gave the order, “Draw away jib!” we drew jib and staysail also; the quartermaster cried, ‘Keep sheet to windward; we then began heaving up tho anchor, when the captain ordered, ‘“‘Draw away stay- sail; as this was complied with she went over, all sails being set; 1 ordered the men to heave the anchor quick, but tho vessel was so keeled over that thoy could not heave the anchor; the captain said, “Let go the topsail halyards’’ at tho same time that 1 or- dered the manning of the capstan; the centre board ‘was two-thirds down, and I think the strong pressure of the tide on one side and the wind on the sails on the other was the caus: of the accident; at the time we wore getting under way there was nol any moro wind than usual; we got the anchor up and were under way when I called to the captain to look out for a brig; she nad a little headway as she luffed alittle; I think the anchor was three or four fathoms clear of the bottom when we were struck by the squall; it was mot dangerous weather to get under way, but it ‘was to lay at anchor with sails set; !f the main sheet had been slackod off in time the vessel would have been saved; there was scarcely time t§ do it; it was about two minutes from the time the équall from tno northwest struck her until sho went over, and one minute before she became unmanageable, To the Coroner—I think the captain was competent; at least Mr. Garner trusted him; { do not think that any one 1s censurable. ». H, COMSTOCK, captain of the yacht Phantom, said:—‘“We lay close by; when tho squatl first struck I was below; we had our mainsail and foreail set; the Mohawk bad her mainsail and foreaail and all her topsails set; when I got on deck the Mohawk was preity well down; then sho be- gan to settle, and I remarked that the Mohawk was capsizing; we vegan to lower boats immodiately to aid iu the rescuo; I may have said that she ought not to have hoisted her jibs until the squall struck; if I did not make this remark atthe time I certainly thought so; I should not under such circumstan- ces, have hoisted either gaff topsail or jibs. To a juror—The weather was such that I would not get under way unless ordered, and then I would sug- gest delay until the weather cleared; had my owner ordered me at that time to get under way I suould ask permission to wait until the squall passed off; indeed, I was about to get under way at the time; Ido not think that this squall was any more than others we had that day. WILLIAM J. CARLK, DIVER, testified that he found Mra, Garner sitting on a sofa in ‘the aft port side; the lead ballast had shifted and was piled over her up as high as the sola; by shifting the ballast ho got her free; this took him nearly two hours; there was some wooden débris against her as well; he found tho cabin bey on the port side aft, near the companion stairway, in a standing position; Miss Hunter was found aft of Mrs, Garner, beneath the sofa in the main saloon; there were no weights upon her; he found Mr. Garner on the starboard, nearly opposite his wife; he was under a sofa also; witness has not been abio to recover Mr. Thorne’s body; had searched every place and failed to flad it; yet, it may be still in the vessel; all the baliast bas shifted, as the floor bad floated up. CAPTAIN JAMES STILLWELL, ex-sailing master of various vessels, sworn—lI saw the vessel lying there and I thought the captain very {ool - ish to start his vessel that way, with gaif topsails and Jibs set; be has a different way of getting under way | from other yachtsmen; I would lowor the jib and keep the mainsail set to get under way, Captain 0, P. Rowland, the accused sailing master of the yacht, gave a detailed narrative of his movements on the day of the caeualty, which differed bat little | from his statement published in yesterday's Hxxatp;— When the squall came I gave orders to draw away jibs and topsails. Fergussen—That is not so, Coroner—Order, there | Captuin Rowland continned:—1 was warned by the boatswaia that a brig was ahead; just then the wind struck the upper part of our sails and hove us down near the water; I gave orders to lower away fore- sail, hau! away foretopeail and lowering jibs; the orders were given by me very distinctly, but there was no quartermaster to convey .hem to the crew; I then let = go) the: =omain sheet; the vessel was then low down, and, 1 think, her rudder was out of the water, as she was perfectly dead in the water; [sang out to the Commodore to got his wite and party out, ## I feared the vessel would sink; he said, “Oh, no, captain, there 8 no danger;” ha went below and I never saw him afierwara, although I heard bim calling hie wife; | have becn following the water since | was ten years of never bad an accident befores 1 attribute the accident tw the sudden blow, such as, perhaps, will not occur agai in Gity years; the boatewain’s exp'anation of and | NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JULY 23, 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET. | the accident, I think, is very correct; in my opinion the furniture and ballast in ali the yachts should bo Stationary to prevent its shifting. COLONEL JOHN SCHUYLER CROSBY appeared and asked to be sworn. Hie then read from the HeRaxp of yesterday his statement of the scenes and incidents attending the death of his companions. The witness was much affected and seemed oppressed by the memory of the scone he had witnessed in the cabin of the Mohawk; he said he wished to make a statement, as he did not wish to see a man’s reputation blasted for life; said be, “ terrible disaster; Commodore and Mra, Garner were my nearest and dearest friends, and I come here to- day to speak for this man, Captain Rowland, whom this mat (pointing to Quartermaster Fergussen) is trying to criminate; Captam Rowland lacked judgment in the management of the vessel; I wish to say for him, a man who has%ad so much experience in seamanship, that ho was not guilty of criminal negligonce.”” The Colonel put his handkerchief to his eyes, and Captain Rowland seemed almost ready to go imto con- vulsions, Every one in the room, with the exception of the Quartermaster and bis immediate friends, sym- pathized with the Captain and were ready to applaud him. Some of the spectators in the rear portion of the hall clapped their hands, but the Coroner checked the outburst, The Quartermaster and two or threo of his irlends repeatedly interrupted Colonel Crosby, and the jarymen calied on the Coroner to quiet them. Then Colonel Crosby, very much affected, said, “The statement in this morning’s HeRaLp 1s true, so help me God,” The jurymen asked him to read it, and he did so, enlarging and making comments as he went along. Mr. Crosby stated that it was true in every particu- Jar, and added that many ef the statements made by Quartermaster Fergessen, alias Thompson, ho knew to be talse, including the assertion that he attempted to rescuo Mrs, Garner; and it was due to Cuptain Row. land to say this, that bis character may not be placed in jeopardy by the testimony of a man who has shown himself to be a liar. While he did not feel satisied with the way Mr, Rowland had acted under the trying circumstances, he did not desire that nis professional reputation should be blasted by the testimony of a man so unreliable as Fergessen, While in the cabin ho heard Rowland give tho order to let go the mainsail, but the orier was too late to be oxecuted. Had the Captain given any ordera such as heclaims he did Colonel Crosby as- 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 it was very bad judgment on the Captain’s part to permit/it, Charles Forseby, a seaman of the Mohawk, testified that he and other sailors went below to assist in get- ting the ladies out; he could not say whether Fer- gessen was of the number, however, OLIVER P, ROWLAND, sailing master of the Mohawk, then took the stand and gave his testimony as follows:— My name is Oliver P. Rowland; I was master of the yacht Mohawk; I camo down by the two o'clock boat from town on Thursday; when I went on board the Mohawk Commodore Garner and party were on board; he asked what I thought of the weather; I said 1 thought we should havea breeze on the turn of the tide; it began to rain a little and the Commodore and party went below; the men wero heaving up anchor; I gave orders to draw away the jib, and the staysail was kept to windward by orders of quartermaster; thon I gave orders to draw away all round; tue vessel had filled; all her, sails were filled; I mean the upper part of her mainsail, foresail and jib; the boatswain said there was a brig ahead; it was a little thick and I could not see plain; I luffed her up a littie; then this heavy vein of wind struck us aloft and hove us down, with rail under water; it only lasted a minute or two; I gave orders to let the foretopsail run down and haul down the jib; none ot these orders were carried out, except the foretopsail was hauled nearly down to the masthead; I let go the main sheet myself and it ran off about one-third of the way and brought up in the Dlock, taking my oflcloth coat with it and binding me there; I jerked myself clear; Mr, Garner stood near me and was quite cool; the vessel’s rail and part of the deck wero in the water at the time; the vessel had lost all steerage way and I think her rudder was out of water: told the Commodore to get his wife and party out, as the vessel was sinking; he went below and I never saw him again (Toa juror)—I did not feel the squall on deck only slightly; it was only aloft; Mr. Garner gave me the order to get under way; I have been following this basiness since I was ten years old, and have never had an accident before; 1 am fitty-three years old; I think the explanation given by the boatswain was substantially correct; if tho ballast bad not shifted she would have righted, I think; the ballast was under the floor of the grand saloon, and the floor is fuli of trap doors, not fastened at all; this is the way 1 think that the ballast ought to be secured firmiy in all yachts, and that the furniture should be secured likewise; after the danger appeared thero was,no timo or opportunity for me to assist Com- modore Garner or the ladics. Cross-examined by Frederick Palm—When did you slack the main sheet? A. When the rail and pars of the deck were under water. Q@ How much of main sheet went out? A. About one-third, THE VERDICT. The jury retired about one o'clock for deliberation, and remained out for nearly an hour. Meanwhile the Captain remained cool and unconcerned and chatted pleasantly with tho reporters, laughing af tho absurd Tumors started in the papers about his insanity, and expressing his belief that the jury would not censare him. At last there was a shuffling of fect at the door, when the jury came in and rendered the following ver- dict:— Wo find that the said William T. Garner came to bis doath by drowning in the yacht Mohawk on the 20th day of July, im @ courageous attempt to reseuo his wife, who was unable to move, being held fast in the eabin by the furni- ture, which had been thrown to leeward, and by the ballast, which had broken out through the flooring. The jury tus ther say that the evidence shows that, with the approuch- ing squall, it was not prudent to get*the yacht under way, particularly with topsails set, and that had the furniture of the cabin beon fastened and the ballast under the cabin floor been secured the lives of Mr. ana Mrs. Garner and Miss Hunter would probably have been saved. The jury further say that there is no evidence of criminal nogligence on the part of the sailing master, Oliver P. Rowland. in the case of Peter Sullivan, the cabin boy, the jury found the following verdict ‘That the said Peter Sullivan came to his death by drown- ing on the yacht Muhawk, on the 20th of July, and they fur- ther say that there 1s no evidence of criminal negligence on the part of the sailing master, Oliver P. Rowlan The verdict in the case of Mrs. Garner is precisely the same as that in the case of her husband, except the reference to Mr. Garner’s courageous attempt to rescue bis wife, which of course ja omitted, same as that in the case of Mrs, Garner. CAPTAIN ROWLAND WAS THEN DISCHARGED by the Coroner and the proceedings ended. He pro- eceded later to tho Coroner's office, and, aemanding a written discharge, was supplied with the document, He was at once ordered by Mr. Pendletcn to proceed to the vessel to snd resume command, His first act dismiss Quartermaster Fergessen, on fon he was arrested, and order five of the crew to remain ashore until further ordera, Sub- sequently Mr. Rowland was removed, and Mr, Anning Smith, superintendent of the steamers of the Jate | Mr. Garner, was put in charge. The latter and the Corouer subsequently sent all the discharged members of the erew to work on the wreck. AT THE WRKOK. All the afiernoon efforts were in progress to raise the sunken yacht, but despite the iabor performed the task was not completed up to a late hour last night, Bat the Wrecking Company persevered, and it was ex. pected that by daylight to-day the yacht would be | afloat, The scene last night was a peculiarly excit- | ing and interesting one, ‘The darkness that rested on the water, the flashing lights of the | tugs and sailing vessels, the hoarse cries of the sailors and divers’ attendants, the monotonous rush and swirl of the tide as tt lapped the sides of rowboats and tugs, the dreadful air of mystery that hovered over‘all, lent addition] mterest to the picture. Sitting in his boat the HeraLp reporter watched the progress of the work in stlence, and a8 the blocks groaned overhead with the passage of the ropes and the | scene assumed a wierd and paintul aspect, Away off | the right, un the distance, the lignts ot New York gave a lumipous appearance to the eky, and on the left could be sven the Jersey shore, while behind the few lights on Staten Island scareely gave one the idea that land Was so bear, Ferryvoate went to and tro, the light- ! am crushed by this" ‘The verdict in the case of Miss Hunter fs exactly the | siowly | revolving windiasses creaked in the silent night, the | | houses flashed their welcome rays at regular intervals, | now and then a passing sail betokened more life and | officers and th action, and then again a loud Jaugh or pleasant voice was heard from some belated pleasure boat, All Was still, and these few noises and manifestations mado the silence near the wreck the more opprossive, To be sure there were no more dead bodies to search for, that of Mr. Thorne being known to be away from the ill-fated yacht, but the fact that the supmerged vessol was near, her huge masts rising from the water like spectral fingers pointing to tho sky, made one feel nervous and uncasy. ‘The hours passed weariedly, the few indications ot life abroad on the waters grow less frequent the night became even darker, and the lights of the cities beyond assumed amore subdued appearance, until they be- came blended and rose into the sky like &@ luminous cloud, and yet the yacht seemed to cling to the depths where so many lives had been lost in terror and despair, At mid- night the reporter reluctantly bade bis boatman pull for the shore, intending, as soon as he made his re- Port, to return and witnoss the final scene. At Now Brighton the shore was lined, even at that late hour, by people watching with evident and painful interest the lights that hovered near the wreck of the Mohawk. They could see nothing elso but the lights, but it seemed a consolation 1o watch even those, and so they stood there patient, yet anxious, THE PUNBRAL CEREMONIES, As already announced, tho last sad rites will take place on Monday afternoon at one o’clock from the late residence of tho deceased, in New Brighton, Tho steamer D, R, Martin will be at her dock, foot of White. hall street, at noon exactly, to receive the friends. Upon her arrival at New Brighton carriages will be in waiting to convey the mourners to the Garner man_ sion, It is understood that Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Staten Island, will conduct the funeral service, Of course everything wiil be conducted on a scale com- mensurate with the social position and great wealth of the late commodore, but, contrary to what has been frequently and erroneously hinted since the catastro- phe, everything like ostentatious display will bo avoided. It may naturally be expected that, distin- guished as the deceased lady and gentlemon were in society, and touching and tragic as was their death, friends will send their mourning floral emblems as a Jast tribute of love and respect, but beyond these beau- tifal testimonials which tender and reverent hands will placo upon their biers, it is said the arrangements will be quite simple In conversation last evening with a gentleman resi- dent in West Thirty-sixth street who has had some- thing to do with the arrangements, the HrRratp reporter was told that the steamer Martin atter leaving the New Brighton pier with the funeral cortége will proceed directly to the whart at Greenwood Cemetery without touching at Brooklyn or Williams- burg. Commodore Garner owned a vault in Greenwood some time previous to his death, and in this the bodies of bimself and wife will be pluced. There will be twelve pall bearers, whose names were not given, all intimate and cherished friends of the deceased, dis, tinguished merchants and gentlemen of note in society. Tho flagsof the New York Yacht squadron in the barbor will remain at half mast until sunset of Mon- day, the club house at Stapleton is draped in mourning, and the members of the association, it is expected, will atvend tho funeral in a body. NEW BRIGHTON TRUSTEES, The New Brighton Trustecs at their mecting yester- day, July 21, 1876, adopied the following preamble and resolutiou, viz :— Whereas great calamity has overtaken this commantty by the aceident which occurred in our harbor by which W. T. Garner and tamily came to an untimely death; be it there- toi Resolved, That a committee of two be appointed by the Prosident of this Board to draft suitable resolutions ex: pressive of our sympathy and condolence, and that # copy of the same, when prepared, be enxrossed and presonted tu the surviving members of th ly. President R. B. Whittemore appointed as such com- mittee Messre. W. H. J. Bodine and H. Tracy Arnold, ACTION OF THE NEPTUNE ROWING CLUB, At a special meeting yesterday of tho Neptune Row- ing Club of West Brighton, S. I., resolutiens were paseed of sympathy for the bereaved relatives of Mr. jarner, The club decided to attond tho funeral ina body. A SIMILAR DISASTER. We copy the following account ofa similar disaster from the files of tho Hrratp of August 4, 18 RXTRAOKDINARY AND FATAL MARINE DISASTER, A disaster most extraordinary as to the cause and most fatal in the result occurred to the government revenue cutter Taney yesterday afternoon when on her passage down the bay to Fire Isiand. The Taney was a strong, substantial and sea worthy vessel, having been rebuilt with the last three mouths for tho servico of the Revenue Department of the government. She was a swift ang steady suiler, and was commanded by Senior Lieutenant Franeis Martin, a gentleman of more than sixteen years’ standinz in his profession. Her regular complement of crew was twenty-three men and two boys. [he fuil number was on board yester- day, under the command of Captain Martia, Firs Lieutenant Nicholas Ousten and Second Lieutenant Campbell Saunders, the third lieutenant being abseut. The pilot vn board was Mr. Lorenzo Dow Clock, The burden of the Taney ig 120 tons, and she carriea one long brass twelve-pounder § amid- ships. ‘This vessel left her moorings at about a quarter past twelve o'clock yosterday after- noon, with a suflicient ballast of iron. The day was very line, and she proceeded down the bay in gallant ‘until she came tu a point southwest of Governor's d, and almost two anda baif miles from Staten Island’ shore, Arrived hero the cutter came in a line | with the steamer Gazelle, standing tor New York trom the Quarantine ground,’ with a large number of emi- grants on board one of these emigrants, a man, fell over- board from the steamer, and would have inevitably per- ished but for the prompt humanity of Cantain Mastin, who, with his officers and men, perceived the accident and immediately lowered a boat and saved him. The wind was then southwest, with a gentle breeze and tho ‘nsail and topsuil, the When Taney was running under jib, m: rest of the saiis uving becn previously turled. the boat returned, a slight sprinkling of 7 and Capiayh Martin descended, to his eab: a light tor a heavier coat, and ho had scarcely taken it im hixhand when his vessel received a most territic shock proceeding (rom a stroke as it given by a hard substance to ber topmast under the foreo of which she quivered in every plank and joint and immediately settled over as if 10 sink. The Cap- tain had only time to turn around and endeavor to rush on deck when he found the water rush 1m and the cut- ter immediately capsizedand went down, Three men and two boys Were drowned almost immediately, wo of the men and one of the boys being below just at or after din: Captain Martin rushed and with his emaining portion of his crew, clung to tho spars and rigging in a very pitiable eondition; und itis probable that a good many more of them would have been lost but for the immediate assistance rendered by Captain Haggerty, of the steamer Thomas Hunt, ply- ing between this city and Shrewsbury, who immediately flew to their help, and with the aid of his crew and passengers took them from their dangerous position and brought them to this city. Lieutezant Baldwin, of the United States Navy, was active im belping them, All hands were a good aeal bruised, and the first officer, Mr, Saupders, was in a complete state of ex- baastion, The contusion, alarm aud griet of Captain Martin completely prostrated him. and at a Jate hour yesterday evening he remained at his house in Brook- lyn ina very low and nervous state. ‘The following ts a list of the persons drowned :— 1. Thomas Jackson, uged torty-seven years, seaman, a nataralized Irishman, twenty-three years in the American service. 2 James Doran, aged thirty-seven years, American seaman, 3, James H. Stiff, aged thirty years, American sea- man. 4. Henry McGregor, Irish boy, . 6, James MeUlue, Irish boy. Two arm chests, containing twenty-four stand of arms, twenty-lour pistols und one dozen of cutlasses, were’ picked up by the Yankee 10 yards from tho wreck a litue time after, Aman named James Hoyt, who was missing, is said to havo been picked up by & pilot boat. ‘Tho cause of this melanchuly disaster was what is termed a ‘streak’? of wind, which travelled from the shore through the surrounding air in a dark and straight line, and actually struck the doomed vessel It was observed by sume persons on the Battery, and by a gentieman on the steps of the barge office, to run like a dark bar across the ship, and when the point reached her she almost immediately su Men who have spent the better purt of Ulvir hives at sea have met with nothing ke it, Captain Haggerty, in the Thomas Hunt, experieneed only mild winds at the sume moment, and the surrounding shore we Toe Taney now lies in nine fathoms of tin the channel, and almost midway det Battery and Staten Island. Her masts are vi: above the water to the ecrosstrees and also her spars and rigging. ‘The topmast inciines to the Staten Isinnd shore, ant When the vessel is acted upon by the tide or otber cause the mainsail is partially dragged up and presents a large triangular rent. Arrangements aro being made to raise her by means of a derrek. The captain Was not aware that any men wore missing, THE TROY YACHT DISASTER. FOUR OF THE BODIES RECOVERED—A BODY FOUND IN THE IKON PROPELLER WHERLL {From the Albany Argus, July 22) Four of the bodies of the unfortunate men drowned Thursday evening by the swamping of the steam yacht olla were recovered trom the botvom of the Hudson erday. The body of Faulknor was tound at a quar- | ter to four A. M. and these of Fox and Edgerly about half-past eight A. M. Search was continued all day yesterday. The bodies of the three men recovered in the morning were found east of the spot where the boat weat down, showing that the lost as well a» the | survivors had struck out for the Troy shore, The | bodies of Fox, Edgerly and Faulkner were brought to ‘Troy im a tugboat and landed at the foot of Congress street, whence they were removed to the warerooms of Undertaker William Madden, and after being placed in fit condition wero transferred to the late residence of the unfortunate men. The flags on the differ- ent houses of the fire department were at baltmast yesterday, and all Troy appeared to be under tbe in- Huence of that touch of nature that makes the whole world kin. The brother of Manicke was telegraphed for to New York, and ho arrived in Troy during the afternoon, Rumors of all kinds were rife upon t streets during the afternoon and evening of yesterday. The first startling news was that Aston, one of the sur- vivors of the wreck of Thursday evening, had been drowned while searching for the bodies of his triends, This statement was disproved, and it was then stated that the mother of Faulkner has suddenly dropped dead from grief over her bereavement, At half-pust tem o'clock P. M. the tugboat Linda Newland arrived at Troy and the passengers reported that no trace could be found of the bodies of Manicko and Bloomfield. An incident, however, had already transpired of which the Trojans know ‘nothing until past eleven FP, M., and which led them to believe another of the bodies had been found. A tele- gram arrived at the house of the Volantcer steamer at the hour last named, which had reference to the ful- jowing incident:—Atan early hour last evening the tugboat Noyes, of Troy, startea from that city for Albany. On the way down it became evident to those on board the vessel that there was some troable with the wheel, and on arriving at Albany un examination was made, which revealed tho presence of the body of aman caught in the wheel, or steoring gear. The re- maing were removed and taken to the undertaking rooms of Jobn J. Harrigan for idenufication, No Ume was lost after the receipt oi the telegram by the Volunteer boys in preparing to proceed to Albany. ‘The Volunteer wagon aud team were vrought ont, and a number o! the Volunteers, in company with Kovert Manicke, rted down to verity the telegram. The wagon arrived at Albany about oue o'clock this morning, and the Trojans had the sad satisiaction of realizing that the body of Henry Manicke had been tound, Mr. Robert Manicke decided that the body of his lost brother should remaia at the warerooms of Coroner Harrigan until Sunday morning, wheu the mains will be taken on the 1:30 A, M. train an brought tothe home of the reiatives, The remains will be interred in Greenwood Cometery on Sunday af ternoon. A number of the members o/ the Volunteer steamer purpose going down to attend the funeral, ANOTHER SAD ACCIDENT‘. 4 BOAT CAPSIZED ON MAQUOTA RIVER—THRER LADIES AND A CHILD DROWNED. Davenrort, Iowa, July 22, 1876. A special from Hopkinton, Iowa, says a pleasure party of six persons went sailing on the Maquota River iate last night, and bad gone but a short dis- tance when tho boat upset, and only two young men were suved, The drowned were Mrs, West, Miss Bil- lings and Mies Hyden aud a young child, The bodies of Miss Billings and the child have been recovered. MEXICO. A BEVOLUTIONARY ARMY DEPEATED—REVOLU- TIONARY LEVY OF CONTRIBUTIONS—THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-—-MAJORITY YOR LERDO DE TEJADA. Havana, July 22, 1876, The French steamer has arrived from Vera Cruz bringing Mexican dates to the 14th Inst. ‘The goneral aspect of affairs is in favor of the govern- ment, THE RRVOLUTIONISTS DKFEATED. Gencral Riva Placios’ revolutionary army was sur- prised and defeated by Colonel Adolto Valle at a point about two days’ march from the capital, Riva Placioa only saved himseif by plunging intoariver. General Chavarria, second in command, with sevoral staff officers, fifteen soldiers and 200 horses, were captured, sixteen revolutionists were killed and tho rest scat- tered. General Manuel Gonzales, after abandoning Mata- moros, marched toward Puebla with about 1,500 men. CONTRIBUTION LEVIED BY REVOLUTIONISTS. The combined revolutionary forces, under Generals Hernandez, Coutolenne and Carillo, made their way to Jalapa, where they exactcd $20,000 from tho inhabit tants. ‘The federal General Alatorre 1s said to be marching on Jalapa with 2,000 men, well urmed and equipped. Tho balance of his force has been ordered down the railroad to look for General Figuerero, who bas inter- rupted, during the last few days, all communication between Orizaba and Vera Cruz Fighting 1s expected there, General Figuerero has notified the railroad company to stop all trafic on tho line; and that, if trains are run, it will be atthe risk of the passen- gers’ lives and the destruction of the road. Trains since this notice have only run to Orizaba, but the government will take measures to drive ott the enemy, and it is proposed to run a diligence {rom Orizaba to Vera Cruz General Portirio Diaz’ whereabouts are entirely un- known. MAJORITY FOR LERDO DB TEJADA, The official published resuit of the secondary and final Presidential election gives Lerdo de Tejada an overwhelming majority, It now only romains fur Congress, at its meeting, September 16, to declare Lins re-elected for the term of four years, beginning Decem- ber L. The centennial Fourth of July was celebrated in the capital by Americans from all parts of the Republic and many naturalized citizons, under the auspices of Mr. Foster, United Statos Minister, Much enthusiasm prevailed, THE HEAT. Yesterday was again a most refreshing contrast to the weather which had for three weeks preceded it It was not however, apparently, cool enough to do away with the danger under which all those engaged in outdoor occupations have been so Jong laboring. ‘The récord of deaths from sunstroke is unfortunately still a daily item of news, as will be seen below, DEATHS FHOM SUNSTROKR. The following cases of death from sunstroke were re- ported at the Coroner's office yesterday :— Henrietta Woppner, sixty-six years, of No. 343 Sixth street. Patrick Henton, of No. 28 Madison street, Samucl McMahon, tifty years, of No. 277 West Nine- nth street. James Pendergast, of No. 543 Pearl street Dantol McGinn, thirty-two years, of No, 191 sighth avenue. PROSTRATIONS FROM THE HEAT, The following persons were prostrated by the heat yesterday: ‘Annie King, twenty-six years, of No.7 Franklin street. William L. Barns, thirty-seven years, of No, 327 West Nineteenth street. Cornelius H. Butler, twenty-foar years, of No. 196 Waverley place, who was taken sick at Broadway and Broome street, whiie driving a sprinkliag cart. William Jobnson, thirty-six years, of No, 875 East Thirteenth street, MIDNIGHT WEATHER REPORT. War Durantuent, Orrick ov tHe Cuier SIGNAL Ovvicen, Wasinxetos, July 28—1 A, M. Provabiivves. For New England, rain, followed during the evening by cooler and clearing weather, with winds shifting to westerly and northwesterly, and rising barometer, For the Middle States, cooler and generally clear weather in the southern portion and local rains in the northern portion, with northerly to westerly winds and rising baromoter For the lower lake region, clearing and cooler weather, with northerly to westerly winds and rising barometer. For the upper lake region, Upper Mississippi and Lower Missouri valieys, generally cicar weather, lower temperature than on Saturday, northerly to easterly winds, and rising followed by falling ba- rometer. For Tennessee and the Ohio Valley, generally clear and cooler weather, with light, variable winds and rising tarometer, For the South Atlantic States, sonthwest to north. west winds, clear or fair weather, slight changes in temperature and slowly rising barometer, For the Galf States, local rains near the toast and cloar or fair weather in the interior, with it to south winds, a slight rise in the baromoter and stationary tomperatare, The Red River will continue to rise; tho Mississippi will jail slowly above Vicksburg. ‘THE WEATHER YESTERDAY, ‘The following record will show the changes in the temperaturo for the past twonty-tour hours in eom- parison with the corresponding date of last year, as in- dicated by the thermometer at Hudaut’s pharmacy, Heuatp Building 1875, 1878. 2m i SA. M. 6AM. -m 7 DA. M. Ho 12M.. +82 80 IP, Average temperature Phage 16% Average temperature for corresponding year. seeeee » 16% 1875. 1876. Weekly avorage,...sessecessceses 126-7 e127 | number 8 THE MERRAY TRAGEDY. Berdell’s Defence in the Goshen Police Court WHIPPING AND SHOOTING. How the Murrays Held and Lashed Him. Post Mortem Examination of Murray—The Inquest. Gosuzs, N. ¥., July 22, 1876, The interest in the Berdell-Murray case was much increased owing to the death of Wiser Murray, which occurred yesterday morning. The court room was crowded with spectators, Four witnesses were exam- ined to-day, BERDELL’S DEFENCE IN THE POLICE COURT. William Kniffen, vlerk in Corwin & Merriam’s store, here, testified that he sold Murray the whip with which tho beating was done. Wolls Corwin, of the above named firm, testifed:— I went to the depot prior to the arrival of the train; saw both the Murraya come to the depot and go in the gentleman’s room from the platform; I saw Berdeli get off the train and go into the depot, the brothers Murray standing close to- gether, half-way between the front and buck door, look, ing toward tho former; tho train had theo arrived; Berdeil bad a dark straw hat on; Berdeli went toward the back door, passing the two Murrays; one stepped toward his left and the other toward his right; whem Berdell had gone about seven fect Wisner Murray struck him with the whip, and at the samo time A. 8, Murray grasped his arms from behind; a straggle then chsucd, Mr, Berdell trying to get away; Berdell’a hat was gone; alter about the second stroke phe blows fell on Berdeil’s head, face and shoulder; THE BLOOD FROM THE BLOWS ran down his face profusely; from ten to twelve blows were struck; wituess saw'a pistol in Berdell’s hand bout three seconds before it was fired ;he was then beld im the same way by A. S. Murray, Jr, until alter the discharge of tue pistol; Mr. Berdell was not tree dur- ing any of the time witness was standing near the front window of the gentiemen’s room watching the affray; Berdell’s bands were together when the pistol was fired; his body was bent forward, und his bands were {n motion; there was a trembling of his hands and a waving to and {ro of his bouy; did not hear B dell say anything; saw Murray go toward the telegraph office, but did not see where he went, MOW THE WHIPPING WAS DOXE. John Rockalellow, who resides at Orange fe testle fled:—Wus at Goshen on tne night of the 13th; saw what took place in the depot; never saw any ol the partics to know them before the affray; my attention was first attracted to the depot by the appearance of @ man being whipped and heid; the person recoiving the whipping was Mr. BerGell; the person that held him stood velind him; the person doing the whipping stood in front of Berdell; the blows fell on Berdcll’s head; his bat was off when the whopping was going on; Ber. dell failed in getting away; I remained uatil after the pistol was discharged; the person that was doing the whipping ran and jumped over the counter of the lunchroom; he went im the door at the end of th counter; he then turned and looked back; bia face Was mot quite squarely around; am’ not positive in regard to tbat; did Hot notice his hands; & remained looking at him until the ehot was fred by Berdell; Murray was looking back trom the door whep the shot was fired; saw Murray fail after the pistol went off; saw no movement of ‘his hanax at that ime; Murray’s left side was nearest to me; | then looked at Berdeil, who was still being beid by the man bebind him; Berdell had nothing in his bands when J first came in; the parties were aii strangers to me, saw nothing in Murray’s haods while he was running or when be jumped the counter; continued looking at Marray until he tell; am not certain whetner be made any motion with bis hands; think he raised his hands us if falling; the crowd in the room were crowded about the bouy. P= WHAT JAMES PAY SAW. James Fay, who resides in Goshen, testified:—I was the depot’ on the evening of the 13th; was standing the iront door of the gentlemen's waiting roow when the Ulster county express came in; saw Berdell get off the east end of the train; knew Wisner Murray; did not see him there before the arrival of the train; Berdell went in the gentlemen's waiting room; my attention was directed to the room’ by scuflling; I then went to the door; saw a man holding Berdeli from behind, and Wisuer Murray strikivg him over the head and face; Berdell was held around the body; Berdell’s vat was then olf; saw a cut under his leit eye, and blood on his fuce; saw nothing in Berdell’s bands at that time; saw three or four blows struck; Murray then ran, leaving, “Hold him? Berdell was still being held ; saw a revolver in Berdetl’s hauds; lis hands were then vow! by his side ncar the hip; alter the blows had be siruck by Murray, Berdell was being held whe: Murray jumped over the counter; did not sea Murray afterward; Berdell andthe man holding him had got avout ten feet from the ticket office when the shot was tired; Berdeli's hands were moving around when the pistol was fired; saw nothing in Murray's hands; saw no movement of Murray's bands; | re mained after the firing; there of people there; saw over tho counter exeept Murray; after the shooting, and not until then; saw Comer take the pistol from Herdeil; Berdell was inclined to hold 14; Comer then came up bebind the man that was bold ing Berdell and reached around aud took the pistol from Berdell. The examination was then adjourned until Monday morning ut ten o’clock, THE INQUEST. Coroner J. M. H. Little, of Middletown, attended at the Grand Jury room of the Court House this morning to empanel a jury to hold an inquest over Wisner Mar- ray’s re s He received the result of the post mortem examination from the surgeons, which corroborated the conjectures of the physicians wha had previously given testimony. A portion ot the bul- let was found in the back part of the head, the twa other portions having been previously extracted from the skull, The bulict hud passed straight through the brain, which was discolored and disintegra ted. The other organs of the body were in a healthy condition. Coroner Littie then received the following protest from the counsel for the detendant, after read: ing which he at once adjourned the mquest until Mone day morning, when probably another Jury will be <x: panellea, PROTEST PROM BERDRLL'S COUNSEL, Berdell, prov oe Wh r pe and the examiaktion tl As we aro inform Sin—The undersigned, counsel test against your proceed: elied by you to make i Murray, “Said Berde been H before the tH believe adversarios of said Berdell on rummoned by You Were 0 Mendacion of counsel prosecuting suid charge; and as we are iufurmed and believe suid jury is not free trom partiality OF bins, aud the sume ax a whole is not w proper jury to take in this ense. also protest against the im inquirition of suid Jury and finding or stato tion of the guilt or in- “Murray will be buried to The remains of Wisner morrow aiternoon, trom St James Episcopal church, at this piace. Last evening the Board of Village Trustees heid ¢ meeting, at Which appropriate resolutions wero passed, ‘The Bourd will attend tho funeral in a body, as will also the members of Goshen Lodge of Masons, MANHATTAN YACHT CLUB, The seventh annual regatta of the Manhattan Yacht Club will take place next Tuesday, 25th inst Toe yachts entered number eleven and are arranged in five classes, All yachts will start from an anchorage off the club houge, foot of FEighty-ninth street, East River, and be anchored in their respective classes, in lines 100 feet apart, with jibs down, promptly at half-past ten o'clock A. M. First class boats in ad- vance to northward and eastward. The course will be from the anchorage to Ward’s Island, Throgg’s Point buoy, rounding the buoy at Safd'e Point and thence hor The tollowing yachts have entered é First Class—Orion, William Cooper; Dolphin, J. W. ‘ooper. second Class—Spray, D. W. arnold; Petrel, Jone ysiop ‘ird Class—Commodore, Henry Andrus; Thomas P, Morrell, I. T. Reeves. Fourth Class—Mary Gibson, Nat Lockwood, John N. Lanthier, A. L Brash; Sopa Emma, Jacob Varian. Fiftn Cluss—Sk@pjack, J. D, Brassingtoc; Jane, Charies Buck, The Regatta Committee are W. fH. Duckworth, 4. Smith; Judges, 3 W. Simp d Henry ‘Algers. son, D. D. Tumpkini LYNCHING I WO MURDERERS. Caxon City, Col, July 22, 1876. The Sheriff of Rosita yesterday captured Joo Tall- madge and Felipe Salaz, the murderers of Mr. New. man, in West Mou ain Valley, They were brought te sty wud lodgea in jail, where they confessed the arder, Last night a party of the citizens forced the Jail and hung them, NORTH CAROLINA POLITICS, Borkins, Va, July 22, 1878 The Democratic Congressional Convention for thé First diswict of North Carolina, held yesterday at Edenton, unanimously renominated Hon. Jesse J. Yeates, the present representative. [His majority two y ‘was avout 1,600, Governor Vance was prem eat and uddreswed a great concourse of peopl