New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-21
TIE FULTON FERRY DISASTER.
THE INQUEST OVER THE BODY OF THE BOY
BREWER.

THE INQUEST OVER THE BODY OF THE BOY
BREWER
At the COroner's Office, yesterday, was con-
cluded the inquest the body OF the boy George
Brewer who killed Saturday, the l4th inst. by
the collision Of the ferTyboats Hamilton and Union, at
the Fulton Ferry slip The following ia the testimony:
Thomas D. Kidd mate Of the steamship Gulf CITY, ties.
titled witnessed the collision between the ferryboats
Hamilton and Union on Saturday the l4th INST; my yes
lying at the time, in the slip below the ferry we
were in the act Of hauling INTO the SIP ana seeing the
ferFyboat coming m so last drew my ATTENTION 10 ~;
was heavily loaded win passengers LnS lshrdypsoat
seemed be close to the rack alongside when the other
boat was lying; she so feet away when first
herr she seemed to glance from the rack after srk
Ing and struck the north side or the boat lying ri the
bridge think the wheels OF the boat were sun |u,n t
at this time, but am not certain the neaa"1y "
boat did not TO have been checked when she struck
the rack cannot whether or not she was Drought
partly in the slip when first noticed her. probably 40 or
so feet there was other boat lying acr0ss the sllp
Peter Cah Of Staten Island the engineer on DOara me
Hamilton testified follows: had sole charge OF the
engine on that day. commenced Work on that usg ..
the accident; heard nothing unusual untll tue Grsn
came soon ascerained that we had come ~ collision
with the ferry boat Unon came across the river ~
the regular when entering the slip the gong sounded
hs was gro5sbly three or four minutes i9Ce Sn9 IN
couple OF seconds by another bell to stop her did so
hs instantly followed by two strokes to back herr
this was done at onee from the time received the nrst
bell signal TO tho last about three seconds under
stood them distinctly, and followed the directions they
conveyed. lIhe witness here explained TO the
jury the manner IN which the engine is started
thing looked well that morning. at the tme OF the crash
the wheels were backng they had revoyed backward az
least turn and half when the collision Ocourredi still
continued backing until the signal came TO stop; am
had backed turn and half before the crash
had run into the boat and asked me to back herr did So
and backed out; made three clear revolutions back
ward to get free from the other boat was standing
alongside the starting gear polishing up the injection,
wheel at that time received the first signal; dropped
the rag with which was polishing the wheel on reeeV
ing the signal and at responded TO the signal TO
juror- would take six revolutions backward to stop
Albert g. Green OF No. l24 Van Bruntst Brooklyn de-
Luther smith, superintendent Of Pilots in the employ
OF the Union Ferry Company, testified: Mr AlDerts0n
has been pilot for over 6 years in the employ OF the
Company; Be is very careful aud reliable man; Mr..
White whO at the wheel at the time OF tue COsOn
has been allowed to practice at the wheel for the last
three yea RS he been the employ OF the Company
q deck hand for six years; consider him competent
pilot but as there las been no vacancy not been
promoted our pilots have license; they are not re-
quired TO get one all are examined ~ me- tey must
give proof TO mo by actual work that they are compeehi
TO perform their duty would not put on new ana
uuted White has permission TO steer whenever he
receives order from by permission OF the pilot
in charge Of the wheel he has many occasions had
charge OF the wheel for several consecutive trrs
and responsible for the safe passage Of the boat;
i'm my opinion the accident attributable TO the state
OF the tide and the strength OF the eddy by carrying
the bow Of the Hamilton underneath the guard OF the
Union; this eddy varies IL Is not always the same ana Is
difficult TO be judged diagram. representing inc posi-.
ton OF the boats was here shown AS many boats are
now run as can be with the present clip accommodations
have heard that the Company have endeayored to Sc
cure Burlingsl slip IN order to put boats. To
Juror-The eddy sometimes extends to the ferry bridge
and occasionally Is met with boats length from the slips
the worst tide is at high Water these accidents might oo
at these times the higher tho speed the better
age way could be obtained tho boat, and the plot
would be justified In coming In at good rate OF speed
unless he thought he could not make his slip.
The Jury rendered the following verdict
decrssd George Brewer 10 b.. death by M
lnres received from tie bcat Hamilton and
Union H. tie Fulton Ferry the said collision 0eng the
passengers board the Hamilton tReIeo rem
derBg In such state Of the TIDE"
John H. Albertson the pilot, and Atlantic White, the
deck hand who had charge OF the wheel OF the Hamilton
al the time OF the collision discharged from CUSTODY