New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-13
OUR FERRY SYSTEM.
LEGISLATIVE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND SIXTH DAY S
PRoCEEDINGs-soUTH sEYENTH-ST. AND OTHER
FERRTEs-ADJOURNED TO ALBANY.

LEGISLATIVE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND SIXTH DAY 5
PRoCEEDINGs-soUTH sEvENrH-sr. AND OTHER
FERRrEs-ADJOURNED TO ALBANY.
On Monday the testimony taken before the Ferry
Investigating Committee was not OF great importance
The principal witnesses examined were those regarding
the general condition Of the ferryboats, and
the sinking OF the Nebraska From the evidence taken
il was found that the boats the Rooscyeltst Ferry
were in most sgracefu condition regarding cleanliness
A. regards the boilers OF these vessels II was shown they
were In the dcplorable condition, an ordinary
pocket knife perforatng the iron with ease. These
boilers are patched up 80 as to carry 80 or 40 pounds OF
Yesterday morning The ferry investlg resumed
The first witness called was Mr. William Wall who re
ne"vtl ls I ~ 49,, . 80, IN state1 tat
the Company bought out the South Eghthst Ferry six
boats and property both sides OF the foot of South
Echts; We received ia fee simple from that ferry
property South Eghthst running TO the river we al
lowed them $4,000 for IT, would not sell II now for less
than 100000; altogether that makes up 100000 paid up
our amount OF capital stock is sl0O00oO one piece OF
gSYRep ST. we lease for $500 YEAR don't now run the
Eights Ferry; the lease Of the slip on the other side
New.York
II was then asked II the company bought that ferry FOR
the purpose Of di.contnuing II.
Mr. Wall replied that that the intention As 10 the
poworof the boats, he Of opinion they could make
tile river IL would not be prudent to run the boats TOO
fast general instructions 20 the pilots are to be careful OF
the bouts; I'm instances when damage has been done
To the boats the pilots have been held responsible; was
not aware that other companies cNaced that OF the p
lots as 20 running large boats II would be prudent
account of tho sness OF the tide; the pier At Peck slip
Is in a most dapdated condition. the lhepreSeryers on
the Commodore Perry have been there about year and
half there 80 or IS ~ them on each boat there are
sometimes many COO passengers board; the boats
have ar-tght compartments underneath, but there
wooden boxes filled with cork istead II you were 10
knock hole the boats they would only sink down 70
the guards: the Nebraska sank down 70 her guards only
there lives LOST on that occasion; the regulations
OF the company have boat leave about every
minutes for Peek Slip in case or f0g boats are ire
quently delayed; five boats are run in the morning III II
O'clock then is taken or m or o'clock in the after
noon, when II is put on a-u the agent OF Tie company
is required To that rho boats are kept cleaned many
OF the complaints made against the company are fryo
lOus.
many OF the complaints could be rectJiied il the Com
plny would only bc more liberal IL it were In his
power he would have four new boats built.
After few remarks 10y the Chairman, who stated there
general deficiency ON all the ferry routes Mr..
Henry $ Bellows called. sworn and examined in ref
erenCe 10 the GrcGnpOnt Ferry: lie was resident of
Grcenpont; It was growing place, and had been for
many years and that fact seemed To have been forgotten
by the Ferry Company great deal might be said for the
seventeenth Ward, that the feryboat; should le SOL
veicnt comfortable, afford safe and SURE method OF
transit aud AT reasonable expenses that they should be
convenient ~ regards speed Hpd regularity; the ventla
possible TO occupy The cabins IN Winter times in all Of
these reqAt3 HrecnpOnt Ferry deficient; Gideon
making the time on That ferry that he wants 10 and
poets to- 1t only matter Of luck II those boats
should take fire he did not know anything prevent the
boats bnnhg mp aud The passengers burning up with
them; tho ies higher than anywhere else, aud in
crease with The Increase OF their poppIatQp ANA the IN
tdase Of business; that these corporations have way Of
doing Tnat they phase AID anSig at the public and
we respectfully urge upOn your Committee the import
OF the Legislature seeing TO IL that those companies
obey their charters and do something to manage the
ferries "a would add 10 our prosperity and growth.
Mr. Oakley said that he thought the Committee had all
the testimony necessary, SO they would adjourn
The next session would be- held In Albany.