The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-04
TIE REIGN OF 20! zee And SLUSH.
"A DAY CT DIRE DISCOMFORT.
Wading Knee Deep in Morasses Of Snow and
slush-A Fog that Covered Multitude Of
Sinners-Perils Of Ferry Navigation-In-
teresting Facts About the Sewers
No Fear Of Water Gorge.


The destruction OF shoe-leather yesterday must
have been enormous. 1t was hideous day-all
fog rain, slush, mud and every manner of vex-
alton, such as New Workers are every ten or
twelve Winters compelled to endure. or course
rubber 0vershoes were brought largely into wear;
but thousands from neglect impecuniosity or
false economy. trusted to the imperviousness OF
native cowhide and calfskin. But after the days
pedcstrianism there were few willing to endorse
the old saying that there is nothing like leather"
The crossings along Broadway In the early part Of
the day were in frightful condition down the
entire length OF the street from the Park to the
Battery. The scavengers OF the Street Cleaning
Department managed to make many of the
crossings passable before noon; but such
particular places as the head OF Fulton
street and Broadway, where there IL an
especially large traflc, were left through
the day In the condition the rain found them in the
morning. There is always an immense crowd pass
ing and repassing at the top Of Fulton street, and
this place particularly deserved attention from the
Street Cleaning Department, but none was given
to 1t, and pedestrians, men and women, had to
plunge
KNEE DEEP IN THE MELTING sLUsH,
between carts and stages. that splashed the grimy
stun on every side of them. Corner Of william and
Fulton was even worse, for here there is q depres-
sion OF the surface Of the street. and the Judgment
Of liquid snow, all turned to mud color, was
over foot in depth. Across this very many deli
cate ladies, coming from or gong to Fulton ferry,
were forced paddle through the day. Three or four
men were engaged in endeavoring to make dry
passagcway, but just as soon as they succeeded in
dislodging one volume Of slush another took its
place, and the labor appeared truly Sisiphusian
THE RIVER FRONTS
were the most deporable sight Of any other part
OF the city. There was a tolerably clear passage.
way to the Fulton ferry, but the approaches to all
the rest were enough to deter the most reckless
from venturing across. The neighborhood Of
WASHINGTON MARKET
was appalling. The snow heaps were OF the
olthiest complexion, and the ooze which trickled
forth from them on the sidewalks gave still more
wretched appearance to this already most wretched
looking Of markets. In few parts Of tine city did
the snow escape de1lement. 1t was every where
turned into dirty drab color, and its presence no
longer presented spectacle on which the eye
cared to rest very long.
THE FOG AND THE FERRIES.
AS for the fog, 1t was perfect reminder of
London. In the early morning 1t filed the whole
city to 30 dense degree that large objects were
invisible at distance Of few yards. 1t was
accompanied by a fine drizzling rain that wet
through overcoats in quick time and glazed the
Ice crusts along the sidewalk to the highest degree
Of slippery smoothness Fortunately the freezing
temperature of the previous night had moderated,
. else walking would have become almost an i'm
possibility. SO impenetrabe was the fog on the
rivers that all the ferryboats compelled to feel
their way with the utmost caution, and the signal
gong OF the engineer was heard striking inces-
sanity on every trip. The Roosevelt street ferry,
after its first essay in the morning, discontinued
running.
THE FULTON FERRYBOATs
ran at intervals Of from fifteen to twenty-five
minutes and at each trip were 30 tremendously
laden with passengers that in the event OF COLI
sion the consequences could hardly be OF herwise
than dreadful. AS 1t was, a collision, though not
serious, which did take place between one Of the
Fnton ferryboats and tugboat, came within
ace OF resulting in loss Of life. The ferryboar was
crossing from Brooklyn to New York at noon. and
In the middle Of the river came in contact with a
tug going down stream. The collision was sum-
clently severe to prectpitate number OF the pas
sengers from their seats on to the noor and as for
the ladies' the excitement among them was at
fever heat. TO make matters worse, the pas
sengers at the front Of tho boat rushed to
the and those ct the rear rushed to the 'front.'
80 that when the one crowd met the other the
accident was unavoidable under the circum.
stances. The precaution OF blowing whistles was
used By, both tug and icrY boat, but so thick was
COLLISION OF FERRYBoArs.
The most densc fog known for many years settled
on the North River yesterday. causing serious de.
lays to those who travel by ferryboats. The trips
Intervals that the great thoroughfares leading
thereto on either side-COrtlandt and Montg0mery
literally E cn0kea Win vehicles Just
with the ferryboat Pavonia. and the latter was so
damaged that 1t was with Difficulty she reached
water rushed through the cavity till the deck hands
covered the aperture with canvas The cost OF
slightly damaged, and continued to make her
regular trips. The passengers OH both boats were
e s Ias Pt Of the
but the Gregory continued on her course the pilot
thereof alleging that he did not understand
stern.
FREAK OF FERRYBoAT.
for the Barclay street slip, ana to the astonisment
OF pilot and passengers pulled up two hours after
wards at Jersey City. The pilot declared in all his
experience Of over thirty years he never saw the
Ing in circle ali this time, when he thought he
street steam Whistles, and nothing but steam
whistles could be heard along the Hudson. they
made
A TERRIFIC RACKEr
and deepencd the confusion that prevailed. On
but IL did an immense business, taking at least two
thousand passengers each trip People living in
Iobokcn, Jersey City BROOKLYN and Williamsburg
suffered great Inconvenience as well coming to the
city in the morning as going home in the evening
Al the South ferry the boats ceased plying for q
time IN the morning, the perils Of collision being so
formidable. In the afternoon the preternatural
fog lifted for hour or twO but returned In even
greater density than before, and held sway over
The rivers In gray and awful gloom.
ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH RIVER
The ferrybOat d. s. Gregory, OF the Desbrosses
street line came into collision with the Pavonia Of
the Erie, on the North River. The Pavonia was so
badly damaged that she was in great danger OF
sinking, and 1t was with great difficulty she was
finally towed ashore. The passengers we're greatly
frightened, but none OF them were injured The
boat now lies on the hats, and the amount Of dam
age will probably be about $4,000.
STREET CAR TRAVEL.
The street cars at the east side OF town were
running only at long intervals. Passengers en-
dured the most dismal experiences in travelling by
these conveyances last evening. An air Of damp
ness most abh0rrent pervaded the atmosphere OF