The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-11
A FATAL RIVER COLLISION.

A CANAL BOAT SUNK BY TUG-A WOMAN AND
GIRL DRowNED-HEARTLEss CONDUCT or
NEGLIGENT MEN
At twilight Saturday evening collision with fatal
consequences occurred or the Battery. The clrcum-
stances attending the such to
the Of the Of the coliding boat who it is
presumed at least guilty Of criminal negligence if
not homicide The story narrated by Captain Petty
Of the First precinct thus;-The propeller U. S.
Grant had arrived Off the Battery and about pro-
ceedng her way up the East River toward the Sound
with string offour canal boats loaded with coal in tow
The hour late enough for her to have her lights
in position. At the same time another tug, with o
schooner in tow was approaching from opposite
direction evidently intending pass up the North
River and between the United States steamer Minne-
sofa, at anchor in md stream, and tho Battery
As this latter boat advanced she sounded whistles
Simplifying determination TO continue the course she
then pursuing. The people the q. s Grant
heard the signals, answered. and complied with
them by continuing course clear Of the approaching
tug. But the other tug, in few moments sounded
diff ercnt sgnal-viz, three MISUNDERSTANDING a
change Of course. AT this time Herbert Cooper tho
master Of one OF the canal boats in tow of tho Grant
was standing in that tugs pilot house talking with her
pilot The latter at once saw the danger that threat
ened him by this sudden change Of the other ugboat's
course and told Cooper that
A COLLISION MUST OCCUR,
no matter how he should try TO avoid IT, Cooper ran
to his boat, the ~ L. Lee on which living al the
time his wiio and two daughters; but before no
had opportunity TO them all
the second tug struck his boat which instantly began
TO sink BY his prompt action Cooper fortunately sue
ceeded in saving the life OF Of his daughters bat
his wife and younger girl persisted in his very pres
ence, his wife screaming and
BEGGING TO ne SAVED.
These pteous appeals for help which could have been
heard but for moment, must have reached the Mime
sota Tor two OF her boats almost Immediately on
the spot too late however render any assistance TO
the drowning woman and her child tho tug that
caused the disaster did not wait 10 give any and or
ascertain the extent Of harm done, but steamed its
way and It's naine, as we'll that Of the schooner
behind it, were for time unknown. An officer or tho
First precinct who or duty, happened to the
unfortunate canal boat master with his daugh
ter, both crying, on the Battery later IN the evening"
and, learning the Of their distress reported
circumstances NJ the station house. Search was made
by detectives yesterday along the entire river for
the unknown tug, and then ascertained that her
name IS John NJ. Parker. The OF the schooner is
not known. officers sent to arrest all who wero
on board Of tho Parker at the time she down tho
canal boat They found boy that had been the
Parker who said tho tow Of the Grant into the tug
Tho captain OF the Parker, no also told is called Com
modore" Boggs, aud lives on Long Island II is his
to 60 board Of his boat either nine O'Clock
nine O'Clock last evening he was on board and sub
sequenty II ascertained that he lives at Paterson
~ j. He will probably be arrested to-day The crew
of tho Grant state emphatically that the two tows
could have passed each other safely If the Parker had
ynd