The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-04
THE FOG AT NIGHT.

Scenes ON the Rivers-Iloyv the Ferry
boats Ran-Broken Ice, but Buoy ant
Boats.
On the East River last night the fog was very
dense, but ferry trahic was not materially i'm
pcded There was but little ice and that was In
broken foes ofsuch small dimensions that the steam
ers were easily enabled 10 plough through them.
The fog was not OF that peculiar 'pea soup" order
prevalent in the English metropolis, being merely
o light-gray color, but very heavy mist, that
clOaked the icy surface of the river like bridal
veil. Some slight anxiety was manifest among the
passengers by the ferryboats as to whether the
several journeys would be made in safety, and,
despite the mOrbfc nature OF the atmosphere
people preferred standing upon deck to risking
chances In the cabin. On the Fulton ferry line
competent pilots. The passage was dark as the
pathway into Hades, but the navigators smelled
their way across the swift-re ling tide and timo,
and again the slips were safely reached The only
guide the pilots had was the hoarse monotone Of
the ferry house bells and dim lights visible about
s%S snon s nea Mc S% Be piers Hss
In mid-stream, and anxiety would rise to high
pitch. These detentions were caused by the
knowledge OF the proximity Of another steamer,
and 1t was not until the position OF each accu.
rately ascertained that either dare ''go ahead"
The crimson lights Of the ferry houses shone out
like drunkard's eyes, blear and dim, yet they were
guiding stars. II calcium lights were used by day
and night during foggy weather much assistance
be obviated and great measure OF fear among
the passengers allayed. No accidents occurred on
that the imsy curtain Of fog will be withdrawn
morrow, and prevent even the PROBABILITY OF dis
aSter.
The Fog on tho North River.
Last night there was no abatement in the dense
fog that overspread the North River. 1t was not
without many misgivlngs that passengers en-
trusted themselves to The ferryboats, which kept
up. dismal screeching Of whistles. This.
bells, made the river voyage anything
but pleasant. Instead OF the ordinary
sumed from Gfteen minutes to hall an hour on a
single trip. The Desbrosses street ferryboats were
lar more uncertain, as they crossed the track OF
peril, and the pilots moved cautiously. 1t fire.
quently happened that a ferryboat came within
Two lengths OF another before II was visible, and
slow motion was accordingly imperative.
The Fog in Brooklyn.
inc log was so thick in Brooklyn yesterday that
IL appeared as II II might easily have been sliced
up with knife. 1t was anything but agreeable
Tor those VINO were familiar with the location, but
for those who were not 1t was extremely So It
was the easiest thing in the world for strangers to
get "turned round" and go In a contrary direction
to that which they desired. and it was impossblc
for them to attempt to set themselves rirht by
trying to declpner the names Of the Streets
corners for they could not see them Sneak THE ives
and sh0pliiters improved the opportunity of nick
ing up what they could, knowing that II they got
six feet away they could not be caught PEOPLE
who wanted to ride In the street cars had TO net
ductor could see them. The greatest difficulty was
experienced at the ferries, for the crossing was
at long Intervals for It was impossible for the
pilots to find the slips. The consequence was
that the streets leading to the ferries
became clogged with vehicles OF all kinds and the
drivers could not refrain at times from INDUCING
In q little profanity. Men who cart for stores in
New York were anxious to get across with their
trucks, grocers were an xious to get across to
plenish their stock, milkmen wanted to get their
cans OF milk from the railroad depots, but they all
brought up at the ferry. There were several COL
lisi0ns between the boats, but no lives were lost
nor were any boats sunk, 80 for as heard from In
Brooklyn.