New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-10

We have frequently directed pubic ATTENTION 70
the urgent necessity for an act Of Congress extend
ing to ferry boats the provisions Of the present
IL amboat laws. If any one doubts the importance
cf this subject, Let him cross either Of our ferries
to-day, and be will coon become thoroughly con-
yuced Not sipg'e crossing is now made by any
Of tie ferry .bcats but hundreds Of precious lives
are placed in imminent peril The rivers are filed
with heavy blocks Of ice, packed closely together
through which the boats are compelled TO crush
and jam, and grind their way, lucky if they escape
10 greater damage than the loss Of their sheathing
But they are not unfrequently cut through by the
ice and in great danger Of sinking. During this
week five or six sea going vessels while at anchor
in the rivers have been stove and sent adrt BY the
ice, and carried ashore, sustaining very serious in
juries.
The peIils of explosion, fire and collision are no
less frequent and appalling. On Tuesday afternoon
last, the Staten Island ferry-bO.t Sylph, while
on her way from Whitehall, burst one of her
boiler Hue4, causing the machinery to stop. There
she drifted, to and fro, before steady gale, and
surroundedby heavy ice 8. one time narrowly escap-
ing the rocks of Governors Island, and again being
blown down the Bay, her officers losing al control
over her. Of course the passengers were in peril,
and became greatly alarmed. Finally, they were
rescued by chance steamtug, which came to their
assistance. On Thursday, the Wall street ferry.
boat Montauk narrowly escaped destruction by
fire. under circumstances Of great hazard 10 her
passengers As the case is stated, it was about :
o'clock, and che had just started from the Brooklyn
side, when, as the pilot stepped into the pilot
house. after giving the usual signal to start he dis
covered the flames coming up. The ferry-boat
fortunately, had not yet reached the outer end of
the slip, and the pilot Immediately rang to stop and
back. lie then gave the alarm, and almost mmed-
ately the flames were seen bursting from the roof
A scene Of indescribable terror and confusion fo
lowed, and many were with difficulty restrained
frC mjumpiDg overheard. But amnute or go elapsed,
however, ere the boat back to the bridge,
when every effort was put forth to save her. The
donkey engine attached TO the boat was put in op-
craft n, hose was extended to the roof, aud in
short time the danes were entirely .ubdued.
The cases which we have cited as illustrative of
the dangerous casualties 10 which ferry boats are
liable are but few Of the events OF single week
in this port Every day e1empifes the fact that
with their present equipments the lives Of passen
gers are placed in constant jeopardy. At the last
session the Committee on Commerce Of the House
Of Representatives reported a bill extending the
present steamboat laws over all steam ferry bOat'
II was postponed, however, in consequence Of
the advanced period of the session. The mpor.
lance of such an enactment to the public at large,
and especially TO the residents OF this and the
suburbsn cities, cannot be Overestimste1. We
fear that unless il lie speedily passed, calamity
greater and more terrible than the burning of the
Jersey last winter, at Philadelphia. will be the
inevitable result. Daily, tens of thousands OF
people cross our ferries and yet not single boat
carries above one or two life preseHers, and
single lesky row boat. Exposed as they are to the
manifold dsrgers Arising from crowded and half
frozen rivers, the crushing ice, the devouring
flames. end the numerous sccidents which result
from cArelessness il is truly miraculous that 30
few casualties have occurred