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have ever heard the guns of any of the men of war when they go out to practice at Kamids Bay. Croustadt is 16 miles from Petersburgh; and I have often heard guns fired at Cronstadt while I have been in Petersburgh; so that I say that it is possible to hear a gun 10 miles of In strong breezes, when firing salutes in the harbour, I have noticed that the off gun is sometimes not heard. I heard guns; but I do not know if they were the Bombay's guns. I heard two guns between 7 and half-past 7; say at about quarter-past 7. Some ten or twelve minutes elapsed be- tween my bearing the sound as of a gun, and the first de- cided sound of a gun. Perhaps two or three minutes elapsed between the sounds of the two distinct guns. I saw no rockets go up-I was below.
TO THE COURT.--It is my opinion that it might be pos sible to hear the sound of a gun fired dead to leeward of me at distance of eleven miles off with a 6b charge, and a top-gallaut sail breeze blowing.
Lieutenant SERGE ISTOMIN.
The evidence of another witness to exactly the same effect as the above, was offered by Mr. de. Long, but not considered material to be heard by the Court.
Mr. DE LONG here states:-I offer to prove by Mr. Shep herd, Consul at Yedo, Mr. Farrington, and my own oath that, at about the time the Oneida is said to have sunk, I was sitting in my library in company with my wife; we all beard and comited three candon shots, following each other; and at the time we spoke of it to each other, wondering what it could mean. Further evidence of Ge- neral Lyon and other residents, as to their having heard them, is also offered.
Mr. BARNARD, in reply, remarks that he makes no objec- tion to any evidence being brought forward by Mr de Long; but that he is prepared, to bring forward two lady passengers by the Bombay, if necessary and also several re- sidents, to prove that they did not hear any guns that night.
THE COURT decided that no further evidence on this point was required.
To Mr. DE LONG-When I came from below, I stood at the top of the ladder abaft the foreinsst; that ladder led from the berth deck to the spar deck. The break of the forecastle and the hammock netting prevented my seeing the approaching vessel from that stand point. I did not see the light of the vessel then. When I beard "hard a starboard" from the other vessel, I did not hear any order given on board the Oncida. I saw the pumps manned when I left the ship. The water was a little abaft the mizen- mast; the stern being in the water. We pulled for the red light which we saw. I at first took it to be the light-ship, but I saw that it could not be. I don't know what it was. I cannot say how long this was after I had left the ship. When I saw the steamer approaching, I should say she was from half to three-quarters of a mile off, as near as I could judge. I should think she was two or two and a half points on our starboard bow. I only heard a bail once I believe. I did make search until I satisfled myself, that there was no taller nor rudder's head on the ship. I did not report that to Mr. Moldaur. I could not find him,
One
To Mr. BARNARD.-I can't say how long before the col- lision I saw the ship; I was busy. I can't say at all how long it was; it was minutes, but how many I cannot say. 1 did not see, only her bright light. I could see her rigging, and thus I knew it was a vessel. I can't say how soon after I heard hard a starboard" it was that the col- After the collision I know the sails lision occurred. were clewed up. I was not clewing up the sails but look- ing for the tackle. I don't know if any one fell overboard, that the boat was prepared so quickly. It was some one in the stern sheets who said he saw a junk, 1 was forward in the boat, I did say that I did not see a junk, and that I recommended that we should stay by the vessel and not pull away. Two others in the boat agreed with me. of them is named Brittany, the other I don't know. I thought the boat would carry more men, which was the reason I wanted to stay alongside. She could have carried 30 men in case of emergency. The boat was perhaps 30 yards from the Oneida when the conversation took place. It took place just as we commenced to pull froni the Oneida. A man called Lyons steered the boat. doctor was in charge of the boat. I believe neither I nor the other two men said to the doctor that we could not see a junk, and had better go back to the ship. The Oneida had gone down when the conversation took place. I saw no spars nor any portion of the poop floating about. I saw no persons swimming about, or Hoating on the surface; we were too far off to have seen any heals or men swimming, When I heard the order "starboard" given on board of our vessel, I was not on the deck, but on the top step of the ladder. I did not see the ship before starboarding the helm, and therefore don't know how she bore. After star- boarding the helm she bore two and a-half points on our how. I didn't notice the Oneida rolled until after the Our collision; she made a steady roll over to starboard. boat did make water, though the plug was in; she made water fast; there was surf at the place where we landed; there were also rocks about where we landed on a sandy beach. The boat was not damaged by striking any rock in landing.
The
To Mr. DE LONG. Immediately after bearing the order to starboard our helm, I looked up and saw the Bombay 21 points on our bow. The ship's head might have been affected a very little after that order was given, and before I saw the Bombay. I cannot say whether I heard an order from the forecastle to port helm. Six timbers in our boat were broken and one of her side seams had cracked open some of an inch, for a distance of about 5 feet. I did not see any baling done in the boat. I did not hear Dr. Suddard give any command or make any suggestion while in the boat.
NICHOLAS ANDERSON, SWOm, states.-I was an actin- boatswain on board the U. S. S. Oneida. I was on board her at the time of the collision on the 24th of January, be- tween six and half-past six on that evening. I stood forg ward by the break of the topgallant forecastle. I heard a man on the cat-head sing out "light ho." The officer of the deck answered and said, "where away." The look-out said, "right ahead sir." I went below to put on some warmer clothing. I stayed below about 15 or 20 minutes, and came on deck again and stood on the top step of the ladder. I heard the officer of the deck say "starboard." I looked over the starboard bow and saw the boom of a vessel's rigging between two and three points on the starboard bow. I couldä not see any lights at all, nor could I see the hull of the ship. I stepped down on deck and stood looking at her all the time; as she bore a little abaft our fore rigging, I heard a man on board her sing out "hard a starboard." She im- mediately struck us on our starboard quarter abreast of the mizen rigging. I went aft as far as the bridge and saw Mr. Fe Stewart come running on the bridge bare headed. gave me orders to call all hands to shorten sail. I then heard him call out "ship ahoy, lay by us." I piped hands to shorten sail. I then saw the steamer on our starboard quarter very close to us; the uavigating officer sung out clear away the relieving tackles." That being my station, I went aft to see that done. I got abaft our cabin hatch when I heard our steam whistle begin to blow. I stayed aft there some time till I got a man to bring me a light so as to enable me to see. When I looked, I saw that the star- board side was all crushed in, and found all her stern tackle
TO THE COURT. I did not, before going below, go and had disappeared. I could not find any rudder. I went for. ward to report that to Mr. Moldaur. And in going, I heard lookout at the light ahead of us. The Boatswain's mate of the 6 to 8 watch is saved. I think his name is Lyons. I enquiries made for the gunner's mate. I went forward but could not find Mr. Moldaur. Then I went aft again; and saw the Bombay's rigging from the top step of the ladder, she must have been or of a mile off, I think. I don't while there, I heard one of our starboard guns fired. When
think she had sail on at the time. Our relieving tackles I went on deck, I heard some one call out "lower away that boat." It was our port-quarter boat. I went up on were kept banging right aft under the poop; the tiller was on the spar deck; there was another one in the Captain's the netting and laid hold of the forward boat's fall. The
As I cabin. I did not go below to see whether the tiller below after fall was lowered and the forward one was cut. stood on the hammock netting, 1 saw the water gushing was left after the collision. I don't think it possible that the red light which I saw from the boat could have been out of our cabin hatch; and that the ship was settling fast. I saw the boat was about to leave, and I jumped into her. I the Oneida's light. After the sails bad been set. I was missed the boat, but was hauled it. She swing round and busy securing everything ready for sea. I mean lashing
gratings, &c., and seeing that nothing was adrift. whilst astern, then I heard two more guas fired.
no orders from the Oneida's deck to the boat in which I ship was going down fast then. The men then got their
was. I heard three guns fired from the Oneida. I believe oars out; and we were about to pull to the ship, when
the foretopsail was set when the Oneida went down. I some one saw a junk, and it was proposed to go for the
can't say if the head sails were hauled down or not, as I junk and bring her back. I could not see a junk; and while
afterwards found ont. I believe it was my duty to have pulling for that junk, I saw the ship go down stern first;
taken charge of the boat, but I didn't know at the time. we were about 4 or 5 minutes looking for the junk. When we slewed round to where the ship had been, thus facing Had I known that, I should have remained alongside the up channel, we saw a red light which appeared close g ship; bad I seen a junk I should have pulled and taken her. I did not report to anyone else that I could not find us. The light disappeared in about ten minutes, ae near as
the relieving tackle. I received no other order of any kind I could judge. The hoat was making water, and a man sung out" pull for the shore." We landed at a little village whatsoever. After being told to look for the relieving tackle, I was not ordered to leave the ship in the bost. I down the bay and I; with the rest, followed Dr. Suddard
did not report to any one in the absence of Mr. Moldaur up to the settlement.
The
I heard
the state of the radder or helm; nor did I ascertain if the spare tiller was standing or not. I heard no orders given at all after the collision, except to shorten sail, as I was looking for the relieving tackle. I didn't cut any spars or gratings adrift before the ship went down. It did not occur to me to do so. I am perfectly certain that the answer to the officer's inquiry where away" shead," sir. The look-out man who reported it is saved. I Was : "right don't know his name. Mr. Stewart was on the bridge on the starboard side when I heard hit sing out "ship ahoy, stay by us." I saw Mr. Stewart go direct from the hatch to the bridge. He did not get on to any arm chest. I cannot say if there was any light issuing from the breach in the vessel; there was a light in the Captain's cabin when I went aft. I believe I only heard three guns ju all. I saw two men haul Capt. Williams on deck; and there was one man below lifting him up through the batch way. That was when I went aft to look for the relieving tackle. He asked if anyone was hurt, but I did not bear any answer given to him. He did not appear to be hurt himself,
(Signed) NICHOLAS ANDERSON. Proceedings resumed at 1.30 P.M. ALBEET REGAART, Sworn, states: I belong to the Oneida, and was on board at the time of collision. My rate was that of seaman, and I was at the wheel at the time of collision. I was at the weather wheel on the port side of the deck. There was a quarter master along with me. His name was John Mocanui, and Lyons was ou the starboard wheel-neither of these men are saved. I did not see either of them after the cuttision. I went on the wheel at six o'clock, on the 24th January. When I took charge of the wheel, the helm was amidships, and the ship was on her course, I came at the wheel at six o'clock; the course was given to me S. by E. 1 E. A while after that, a light was reported about half a point on the starboard bow. The officer of the watch answered very well," The ship was reported a second time. The second report was that the ship was coming right for us. The officer told me to star- board my belm. The officer was Mr. Yates. I brought the ship up to S. E. The officer of the watch told me to "steady," and let her come up on her course again. The ship was reported a third time. That report was that the ship was a point on our starboard bow. The officer told ine to starboard my helm again, and after I starboarded my helm, I saw the mast-head light about five points on the lee or starboard side of the foresail. I kept the wheel a starboard until the ship struck us. Either the officer on the forecastle or the officer on the deck told me to put my helm to "port." This was a little bit before the collision.
more.
I had no time to put my helm aport while I was in the act of doing it the ship ran into us. sized me and the wheel and all, on to the port side of the The collision cap- deck. A man that came from forward lifted me up from the deck, and brought me under the main rigging. I could not stand very well on my legs. I went aft again to see if anything was left of the wheel or the relieving tackle, but. I could find nothing, and could not steer the ship any An officer who came out of the wardroom told me to go to the pump on the spar deok underneath the bridge, At the same time I heard Mr. Stewart call out to the other ship to give us assistance, singing out ship ahoy." The ship was not far away from as then. I went to the pump to try and pamp the ship out. The steam whistle was blown as I went to the pump. The steam whistle was stop- ped and No. I gun on the starboard side was fired three times, one after another, with an interval say of thirty or forty seconds between each. After that the steam whistle was started again; but it stopped of itself when the water came up and washed me off the deck, and I swam to Mr. Yates's boat.
To Mr. DE LONG.-When the ship was first reported, she was reported as about half a point on the starboard bow. The second time she was reported about a point and a half on the starboard bow. The third time she was reported as coming right for us. I could not see her at that moment, but after I obeyed the order given to me, I could see her about 4 or 5 points on the starboard how. No report that I heard was made as to her being dead ahead. The rail was too high for me to have seen the other steamer's side lights. Mr. Stewart hailed three or four tirues. Theard him only sing ing out "ship ahoy" two or three times. He stood right on the quarter deck amidships as he bailed. The wheel was broken all to pieces; the poop cabin went overboard. I could not look into the Captain's cabin. I did not see the Captain come on deck. Mr. Phelan ordered me to the pump. I don't know who blew the whistle. I am certain that the
whistle was stopped and then turned on again, after three guus had been fired. 1 sat down for about a minute after being carried forward from the wheel. I could see the rud der head, but I cannot say if the rudder itself was gone or not. I do not know what became of the quartermaster and the other man at the wheel I heard a voice on the Bombay, but could not distinguish what was said.
That was after
the collision. No answer was given from our ship to the Rombay's. The hail from the Bombay care before Mr. Stewart hailed, just at the time of the collision. After the collision, we clewed up the fore topgallant sail and the topsail, and set the topsail again. I do not know anything about the maintopsail, I did not see any man injured or
wounded on board our ship. I was working at the pumpa till the water carried me away. After I got into the water, I could not see any one in the water, but I heard plenty of them crying out to the boat. All those whom we saw, we picked up. Mr. Yates got into the boat before I did.
To Mr. BARNARD.--I do not carry a watch in my pocket. I suppose it was about three or four minutes after the col lision, that the first gun was fired. The stern was settling down when I heard the guns fired. It began to settle down when we were first struck. I was hit on the knee, and bave been on the sick list for 5 or 6 days on board the Idaho, was not too much hurt to work at the pumps under circum- I stances such as those we were in. 1 ran straight from the stern of the ship (after having once returned to it) to the pumps. The Oneida was about 16 or 17 minutes above wa- ter after the collision. During those minutes, I saw no red lights. I saw the ship that went away from us. I saw her atern. After I went to the pumps, I did not look any more at the ship. While I was at the stern, I was looking after the ship to see if she would come back. The quartermaster was at the wheel with me. The foresail was set before the collision. The buntlines were not all hauled up. explain how the officer on the bridge could have seen the 1 cannot light in spite of the foresail. I don't believe he could; bat there was an officer on the forecastle who could,
To the COURT.-When the other vessel struck us, the Oneida's bead was about S. E. Mr. Yates was in the boat before me. I did not sink and come up again. It was a good while after 1 took the wheel that a light on the star- board bow was reported. I am certain I heard the order given from the forecastle to the bridge. I could not recog- nise whose voice made those reports. When I saw the mast- head light of the steamer, I think she was a good quarter of a mile from ns. I could not see any of her hull, or rigging, aboy." I did not hear him say "stay by us, you have cut or mast. I am sure I only heard Mr. Stewart call "ship us down." The stern was flush with the water when the guns were fired. I did not hear one gun fired in advance of the other three. I heard no report given as to what lights were seen on board the other steamer. Bombay. His bail was not in reply to a hail from the Bem- were two hundred yards apart when Mr. Stewart hailed the I suppose the ships
bay. It did not occur to me to look if the second tiller was carried away or not. I cannot say how long a time elapsed hetween the time when I heard the first report, and the time of the collision. The first report was given some time be- fore the half-past six hail, The collision took place a good while after the past 6 o'clock ball. I believe the last re- port was given after past 6. When I saw the Bombay's going round. I did not hear any noise as of steam being stern after the collision, I did not see any foam as of a screw
enough to see whether she was actually under steam or not let off-or as of her engines going round. I was not close
ALBERT BUGAART,
(Signed)
WILLIAM BRITTANY, Sworn, stated; I belonged to the Oneida, I was stationed on the starboard cat-head on the look out at the time of the collision with the Bombay. It was between six and half-past six o'clock. I saw a mast head light right ahead of us. I reported it to the officer of the forecastle, who reported it to the officer of the deck, The first time I saw her I saw nothing but a masthead light. I made another report after that say about la Dinutes as soon as I could see one of her side lights. I saw her starboard light-a green light, between one-half a point and a point on our starboard bow. I reported that. About a minute or a minute and a half after that, I re- ported her about four or five points on our starboard bow, and coming right for our starboard side lights. I then saw her masthead light and ber starboard side light. When I first saw her I could just distinguish her mast-head light. About fifteen minutes after that I saw her two lights; and she was, I suppose, about four or five miles from us. When I made the last report I should say she was a quarter of a mile from us, but I do not know exactly. I saw Kanonsaki light before I saw the steamer's light. When I first saw the steamer's Eight it was to the left of Kanonsaki light. Kanonsaki light was on our starboard bow. The second time I reported her, she was to the right (W) of the Kanonsaki light. light of the Bombay. The midshipman of the watch was on the forecastle with me, beside other lookouts, but none are saved but myself. The midshipman of the forecastle satisfying himself that what I reported was correct, gave exactly my report to the officer on the bridge, after I am in my thirtieth year and have been at sea 16 or 17 years.
(Signed)
WILLIAM BRITTANY. WILLIAM ROBERT DALZIEL, sworn, states: I am P. & U. Agent at this port. The steward of the Bombay did bring me a message from the Captain on the night of the 24th of January. The steward gave me the Captain's compli- coming up the bay; and that he would be on shore to- ments, that he had had a slight collision with another vessel
ship's name was. morrow morning. The steward did not tell me what the
(Signed)
W. R, DALZIEL Mr. DE LONG aud Mr. BARNARD then addressed the Court:-
DECISION RESERVED.
At no time did I see the red
EX
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