The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-16
TIE FULTON FERRY DISASTER.

Investigation.
The disastrous collision which occurred on satur-
day morning between the Fulton ferry boats Hami
ton and Union formed the leading topic OF converse
ton yesterday both In New York and Brooklyn.
The sense OF perfect security with which the mhab
tants Of both cities have hitherto trusted their hives to
the safe keeping OF the employees OF the different ferry
companies has been rudely and suddenly destroyed,
and great 10 the excitement occasioned by the To-
mentable change OF feeling. The fact that only one
person was killed outright, instead OF twenty or
thirty at first reported, Ia subject for rejoicing,
but Is not calculated to do much towards restoring
public confidence. Those who escaped unhurt owe
their thanks to Providence. while the loss Of life
and dreadful suffering which have resulted are solely
attributable to the criminal csrelessness OF one or
other OF the ferry company's servants, and conss-
Quently the public impression Is that the accident in
itself Is just as serious fifty or 500 lives had been
lost.
THE INQUEST.
The inquest on the mangled remains Of George
Brewer, the unfortunate youth who was crushed to
death In the collision, was resumed yesterday morn
ing, at the Second precinct station house, before
Coroner Keenan,, Deputy Coroner Beach and q jury
composed Of eminently respectable and influential
citizens. Long before eleven O'Clock, the time nxed
for the commencement OF the inquest, the station
uousc WIS CTuWucu WIN PuhbouS uuAiOuo w icuIH
further particulars OF the catastrophe which has
painfully shocked the community, and the utmost
interest was manifested In the proceedings.
The first witness was John Brewer, Who being
sworn deposed as follows-I reside on the corner OF
Fifteenth street and Tenth avenue, Brooklyn; de-
ceased was my son ana resided with me- he left
home to go to work az half-past six A. M. the
ferry; heard he had been crushed to death by
ferryboat OF that ferry saw the body dead at the
ferry and fully Identified 1t.
Bedford avenue, between Putnam and Jefferson
Streets on Saturday morning, ut about half-past
was crossing from Brooklyn; on starting was sit
ting In the gentlemen's cabin; when we got about
half way across the river got up and went out TO
the front OF the boat on the gentemen's side;
ticed that the tide was running up; supposed so be-
cause we were SO long crossings after came out OF
the cabin nothing I'm unusual m we were
did not notice particularly when we approached
that boat whether we were going fast or not; sud.
denly boat struck the other when heard crash
Ing OF the timbers; cannot say exactly howpit
struck; cannot say whether the bells rang or not
fore the collision; was in conversation with gentle.
man, and cannot say whether any signal bells were
sounded or not; did not hear any, did not see any
distractions in the way OF the boat, but was not
william K. McGrew, the next witness, gave evil
dence as fOllows-I reside on Fulton street. Brook
gn. short distance from the ferry about half past
seven on Saturday morning l started from the
Brooklyn side on the ferrybOat Hamilton; the boat
was crowded with passengers and vehicles; upon
the start I stood on the forward deck and had my
attention attracted particularly to the objects In
the river and the New York ferry slip; we were de-
tanned at the Brooklyn ferry two minutes beyond the
ing with any distractions; 1t seemed to me that the
boat made an unusual det0ur toward the Battery;
shortly, after leaving the brooklyn dock my
attention was fixed particularly on black pro-
s s w % S af
bow towards the Battery; she was backing ut the
time, as II to get clear OF the dock entrance; long
before we arrived at the entrance she was entirely
clear, her bow being several feet above the north
end OF the slip; the Hamilton entered the slip she
WHICH was on hs a ana
appeared inevitable; the Hamilton was making con-
siderable Roadway; noticed that the signals to stop
In position from which could observe the water
by the wheels; my impression 10 that the engineer
dd not respond to the signals en- thought some
tinued watching until the collision occurred;
was watching for that Earring Of the boat which oc
Hamilton as not checked; as understand 1t they
first ring the bell to stop the engine then to stop the
the engineer was either frightened from his post by
the danger or bewildered by the rapidiy with which
the signals succeeded eacn other; the wheels were
stopped before the collision occurred but not re-
versed the bow OF our boat had passed the head Of
the pier before the bell rang; the passengers were
part OF the boat rushed forward, crowding upon
those already forward; some gentlemen tried 70
get the crowd back. but did not succeed; The
that part OF the Hamilton down 80 that her
guards passed under those OF the Union; 1t would be
OF the scene which followed the excitement was so
great; saw deceased just after the collision had
cured when the crowd were forced back little;
hts body lying the deck forward OF the ladies'
cabin; noticed that his face was purple, his head
crushed and one OF his legs seemed to have been
on the roof OF the cabin; the towboat was entirely
clear OF the slip when the Hamilton entered; the
sgnal to slow IL usually given about twenty yards
tide; am uncertain about the first signal
Alfred Dorlon, OF IS Lawrence street. Brooklyn,
deposed-I went on board the Hamilton about half
past seven O'Clock on Saturday morning; she was
very much crowded, 30 much so that one gentle man
refused TO go In her; ! went through the gentle
men 8 cabin to the forward part OF the boat; saw
nothing unusual In our trip across until we were
about TO enter the slip; when well out In the stream
! noticed propeller lying abreast or the ferry slip
she drfted up stream IN front OF the market slip.
the next slip above; there was o strong flood tide
running; have crossed II almost daily for the last
twenty years; saw nothing unusual until the col.
lison my impression Is thar the engine stopped
as We were entering the slip there appeared
TO be strong eddy tide close to the end OF the pier,
running down; the bow OF the Hamilton was
weighed down and the eddy tide carried down
towards the Union, which was lying in the lower
Slip heard two bells ring in quick succession on en-.
tcrng the slip; this the signal 10 stop and back
saw that the Hamilton would strike the Union, but
supposed she wouldsto before she struck; she was
backing then; heard some one on the upper deck OF
the Hamilton shout TO the passengers "Get back
there;n looked up AZ tne plot mousse ana saw tue
pilot, Mr.. Albertson, whom knew standing at the
wheel; then heard the crash and the screams Of
the women; l saw the deceased lying on the
moved the rail; then assisted to extricate
o little sgirl who was damned In; the deck OF the
Union was lying stil at the time the collision oc-
were stopped before she got to the head Of the
pier judged from the speed and motion OF the BOAT
saw three men In the pilot house when looked up
Mr.. Albertson was standing by the wheel, but &c
not know who had charge OF it.
Thomas J. Mccarthy, OF u Fulton street Brooklyn,
deposed-0n Saturday morning about twenty min.
utes past seven went on board the ferryboat Ham
ton to cross TO New York; when just outside the
Brooklyn slip looked up at the pnot house and saw
three men inside.
The witness here attempted to describe the occu-
pants OF the pilot house. de commenced by stating
that the one who had charge Of the wheel first had
sort OF full black beard all round hs Jaws llke;,
wheesman No. was 'stout looking and the third
party had o mark under ono Of his eyes "as II he
had been In bit OF muss" At tho request Of the
Deputy Coroner the witness endeavofed TO give
some further particulars - 70 tho personal appear.