The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-09
COLLISION OFF HALLETrs POINT.


SOUND STEAMER RUNS INTO STEAM YACHT
IMMINENT DANGER OF LOSS OF LIFE, BUT
THE PLEASURE PARTY AND ALL HANDS sAyEp
A collision occurred yesterday afternoon in the
East River, or Halett's Point, opposite Ninety
second street, between the Sound steamer q. Il.
Northam, on her way to New Haven, and the
steam yacht Slgnet, which, besides causing seri-
Gus damage TO the yacht, came near resulting in
the 1888 OF several lives.
The SiQnat was the pleasure yacht or Mr.. Peter
Cooper until the beginning of the present month,
when he sold 1t TO Mr.. Grinnell, formerly the pro-
priet0r of the Long Island Fashion Track, who,
with his family, yesterday intended to go mp the
river on a first pleasure excursion. The yacht
took on board, at the foot or Thirty-fourth street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Grinnel, their two sons and two
daughters, with two relatives OF the family, and
after steaming down TO Peck slip, where
she received some boats, returned, going up
the river as far as Halets Cove, leaving the boats
there and then. at about four O'Clock, she started
up the river. IA pleasant trip OF half an hour
brought them as far az Halett's Point, but on the
same route also. and closely following the Sgnet
was the Northam. There is always far tide up
the river as far as the Point and IL Is easy sailing
on the eddy, but coming round the Point the ex-
perienced pilot LOOKS OUT for a four-knot
current coming with the strong ebD
tide IL was at this spot that
the Hope, the Americas and other small vessels
were lost within q period or not many years.
When the Signet was nearing Hallett's Point the
q. ii. Northam so close behind her that the
latter whistled twice to tell the Signets pilot to
keep to one side so that the Sound boat might
pass. The signals passed unheeded, however,
and in moment the huge steamboat had come
upon the smaller vessel, turning her completely
over. People on the Astoria shore who saw the
vessels passing and who knew the danger
ahead, watched them with anxiety knowing the
intrlcacies OF the place. At the time OF collision
the two engineers were In the engine room, one
or them beng at dinner, and one OF the two deck
the deck beside the wheel The passengers were
all In tue cabin amusing themselves playing
games. The slgnet was struck by the Nortnam
at the pilot house, on the port side, and the
anchor and thirty-dve fathoms OF chain, the
pilot house, engine room and the wheel were
all swept away. nothing but mass or debris
being lett at the bow END or the yacht.
one OF the deck hands. Thomas McCabe, was
badly crushed by the falling :imDers in the fore
castie and was thrown overheard but fortunately
coatrlved 70 scramble TO the rudder ana hold to
i. John Halnes, the other deck hand was
was drifted down the river 10 the middle chan
Lei. hcCabe sustained injuries on the head and
body, when are not very Serious but Haines was
wounded on the lace and had two OF his myers
badly lacerated. When the captain OF
accident he at once stopped his his
vessel and sent out boat to the rescue. but the
i people on DOlH suOTeS, WHO Udu Oeen WRLCnlnR
the unfortunate occurrence, promptly manned
their boats and speedy arrived to the relief or
the Signet. Tne Northam then hauled In her
/ boats and steamed away. one OF the lrst boats
| on the scene that OF Mr.. e. Brown, proprietor
| OF the baths at the loot OF Nlnetysecond street.
i East River (Wno has more than once done similar
servcel anu Mr. Baxter, from Eighty sixth street,
and Mr. Muller, OF Astoria, as well as others,
soon removing the frightened pleasure party from
the deck OF the yacht to the boats and In a short
time the whole party were safely landed In New
| YORK. Haines was rescued al the Middle Channel
! Reef In an almost exhausted condition.
AS far as could DC learned the captain OF the G.
| II. Northam could not help bearing down upon the
yacht owing 10 the dangers of the place IL
| qures experienced plot 10 steer clearly at
hallettis. Point. Had Captain Campton put the
yachts head TO the current and not attempted to
get out OF the way by going round the Point,
or better stu, had ne stayed In the
eddy until the Northam had passed, no
accident could have occurred. This was the nrst
trip the captain Of the yacht had made In her,
her old captain, Ben Brown, pilot or more than
twenty years. standing, aud Peter Cooper's
captain OF her Tor two yearS past, having
resigned bis position on Thursday last.
Tue yacht was towed down TO Hanett's
Cove soon after the accident, and was put on the
ways last evening for repairs. 1t Is estimated
that the damage done Will amount to over 81 900.
The unfortunate occurrence was the subject OF
conversation last evening among all the people
along the river shores up town, and rumors OF
more serious results than really happened we're
in Nfrr ufaff