The New York herald., 1871-09-11
ALMOST A WGSTFIELD."
ANOTHER N0RWALK DISASTER.
An Engine SmaSh-Up on the Coney
Island Steamer Yesterday.
Can One Steamer Do the Work
Of Two?
The Pleasure Excursion Of the
Period.

day. Since that dOleful Sunday In July, when tina
town was filed with anguish at the sight or one
hundred and twenty scaded. burned and battered
corpses, a not unnatural dread has lodged in the
hearts OF those who were wont to MAKE water ex-
cursons down the bay on Sunday, the only day
which gave them remission from toll. And now
another accident has happened, happily this ume
WITHOUT LOSS OF LIFE,
but none the less atrrighung, since 1t was merely
due to the fact that the steamer was not heavily
laden with passengers.
It was the lot Of a HERALD reporter to have his
editor say to him on Saturday "Go down the bay
tomorrow and write up the Sunday excursions. as
1t Is drawing to the end OF the season."
Accordingly at niue O'Clock yesterday morning
stepped on board
THE STEAMER NoRwALK,
In company with some OF my family and friends
and we soon felt the influence OF the delightful
breezes on our city fevered brows. There was some
delay in starting and on inquiry Of the man at the
ganaway learned that The extra steamer mad been
taken OF, "she didn't pay anyhow" and that 'thls
here boat has got to do all the work to-day; she'll
have TO 70 round to the North River aud take OH
board ali she can pick up"
"What time will she START for Coney Islandfn
''Weli, you may get or at ten; she'll nave close
work to make three trips to-day and cali at ell the
landings. don't approve Of this thing; iu's dsap
IT'S disappointing the people that want get on
at the North River In fact SIR Its hard to get
THE WORK OF TWO STEAMERS OUT OF ONE"
AT length she started and the prov of tho
vessel headed down the East River AS she
passed the dock OF the Staten Island Ferry
company the memory OF the great expo.
sion sent a momenlary shudder through the hearts
OF the few passengers on board. The NorwaIk
now made q number Of tedious landings. gradually
gathering respectable freight Of passengers-just
such have made Coney Islands fortune and repu-
tatlOn-the class OF tOilers VINO cannot escape for
moro than few hours during the entire heat of
summer to the
EMBRACES or THE ATLANTIC SURF.
They were all in good spirits, and the clear at
mosphere, the gently rippled green water the
vivid sunshine and above oil, the glorious panO-
rama OF the bay, made up the sum OF their happi.
ness by and py she came to at the pier at Coney
Island, and to steal march on city cares, our
party sauntered gently In the direction Of the bath
Ing houses. and soon Were plungng, swimming and
enjoying all the health.laden fun which summer
dip in the "blue blood" OF Neptune brings. the
THREE-CARD MONTE MEN
from the Bowery were there trying to rope IN"
and ''skinn verdancy, but they had little TO boast
of, since not many ventured hand at the slippery
game In revenge tnoY unused themselves with
by-playing with each other and quarrelling,
apparently, the result as II the entire circle Of
rascally 'Deats'' were not all "standing In" Joge-
ther. 1t now fast nearing two O'Clock, the hour
at which the Norwalk was to return on her second
trip A saunter along the beach brought our party
TO the Pavilion just the sfeaner was arriving A.
toe or wave-wshing mortals-about three hun
dred-fOwed out upon the sandy walk and
THREE FEEBLE WHISTLES
from the steamer warned US that she did not pur-
nose delaying long We were just on board when
the dismal horn again sounded three times, and at
u few minutes after two she started on her trip to
New York. There were scarcely more than nifty
passengers, and, with few exceptions, they were
either grouped on the seats upon the lower deck at
the PROV, or, as with our party abaft the ladies'
cabin on the upper deck. Congratulations upon
merry morning were intercbangeu, and anticipa-
tions OF an early dinner, with a good appetite for
sauce were indulged in. The steamer nad passed
the Narrows about tlree-quarters Of q mile and
Gotham, with It's spires full In the midday blaze,
was visible was Just remarking the beauty OF tho
scene when
VIOLENT CRASH FROM THE CABIN
caused every body to start to his feet Another
came stil louder than before, and could see that
the after part Of the cabin with its glass Windows
was shivercd into pieces. Another crash came, ana
the noor OF the CABIN was seen to ny In spllnters
and something heavy fell with crashing thud on
counted, and the roar Of escaping steam lent
an additional item Of fear to the situation.
The excitement among the passengers may be pic
tured frantic rush was made FOR the stern OF the
boat where we were aud fright, panic ana con-
iusion reigned supreme.
THE LIFE PRBsERvERs
which were hanging near the cabin, were cutched
Inv eager hands aud fastened on with nervous fn.
GERS Tne form OF one man was seen In
ahe water, swimming away, and many
around me could scarcely be restrained from
following him. The few who managed
to keep cool did all they could to prepare for the
emergency OF the vessel sinking by distributing life
preservers and trying hail some Of the yachts and
other craft cruising In the vicinity There was. uu-
fortunately, not one within half mile. and
silRIEKs, CRIES AND sUPPLICATIoN5
to Heaven from some women on ther knees MIL
gled with the roar OF escaping steam. one young
lady Of our party tainted aud one young man was
NV brother but, In answer 10 his name shouted
out at the top OF the voice, ne replied,
rom the lower deck, WHITTIER he mad gone to look
alter The Inc ms OF helping the party down In case
II was necessary TO take 10 the water, The steamer
mad OF come me- 20 from S,s 'he anctnee Mec
deck hand, his grmy face showing whiIe as ashes'
came up and said .,o n,,,o,
Amt GONE THROU0H HER B0rToM.n
with this assuring fact before us tranquility was
somewhat TeStOIcu. n UOdt CoHtdAuAu6 ioui wy %
seeing tnat something was wrong with tho
| steamer pulled over from the Long Island
\ shore aud were sent In quest OF tho
| Young man who had Jumped overheard.
| they succeeded In reaching him before ne showed
minutes in the water, aud returned with him to the
| thrice unluoky Norwak.
i now, seeing all safe, proceeded TO view M the M OK.
tent OF the disaster TO the machinery. The alter
| part OF the cabin was one heap OF
| SMASHED SEATS, FLOORING AND sTAiRwAYs,
| with wide gulf in the upper deck, through which
| ihe debris OF the machinery was visi.
bic heaped Ia every Imaginable variety OF
| confusion the deck below. Inc engine Is OF the
| crossbcan order, and the great cylinder, bare and
shivered, was standing In lis place. The crOssbear
ITSELF to the centre OF which the piston rod Is at
tached was lying on the lower deck with The piston
| rod, thick rs mans leg,
| DOUBLED UP LIKE PAPER
IN the form OF big " The ponder0us piston, weigh
iny several hundred weight, was still attached 70
the piston rod, and lay amid the wreck OF
the reireshment counter, Embedded IN the lower =,