The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-08
A MIDNIGHT COLLISION.
The Ferryboat Superior Runs Down a
Schooner in the East River.
THREE PERSONS INJURED.
A Startling Experience for the
Sleepy Passengers.

morning the terryboat SUPERIOR of the Roosevelt street
line, came in collision with The schooner John w.
Houston, of the long dock at the foot Gouverneur
street. The bowsprlt OF the schooner struck the
vessel obquey ana tore away about half the side OF
the alter cabin. Henry Bennett. Jonn Daley and
George W. walling severely injured but Is not
believed that death VIII result in any
A. haipast twelve the Superior lett her pier the
foot OF Roosevelt street her usual trip the
OF Broadway Williamsburg. There was u stiG breeze
and the boat kept close TO the New York shore 10
avoid the wind and lido. There were about seventy
persons on board, many OF them sightseers return
ing home. Owing TO the lateness OF the hour
the majority OF them trying TO pass
tho hfteen-minute trip comfortably us
possible by a short nap. In tho ladies' cabin,
AFT the wheel, there wore fourteen persons.
About the time that the rcrryboa left her
the schooner John W. Houston, Of New York. manned
by Captain Ambrose Conway and four hands, cast OF
from her wharf the foot OF Gouverneur street aud
proceeded down the river. The vessel bound for
Peskski and tho captain wished TO round Manhattan
Island and got well under way before morning. when
he would be embarrassed ny the numerous boats
tho North River. Both lights Of the schooner
up and could have been seen from the pho, house Of
the ferryboat. but hull concealed by tho long
dock near where she had been moorcd.
rag MEETING.
As the schooner swung clear OF the dock and pointed
down stream the Superior came into view close to
the shore and approaching under full head OF
Both vessels were in q direct line and collision
seemed inevitable. Captain futile blew tho danger
whistle, but made effort change his course.
This fact has been commented upon severely sail
ing vessels have the right OF way in preference to
those propelled by steam. The two boats rapidly
ncared, the schooner swinging = little on between
the ferryboat aud the docks Captain futile
rang the jingle bells to increase speed, but
did not succeed in clearing the schooner. With
awful shock the vessels came together. The gas on
the boat was immediately extingushed by the con-
cussi0n, and Tor a few seconds which seemed houxs
to tho terrified passengers, nothing heard but
grinding, crashing, breaking OF iron and timbers,
mingled with the shrieks Of women aud the cries OF
men. Tho bowsprit Of the schooner which had
struck the ierryboat just aft OF tho wheel,
only n few inches abovo tho head or
sleeping boy, tore It's way along the cabin
walls, entering further and further Til It struck tho
ROOT and let IN tho starlight Then II broke short on
and. held by ropes TO the schooncr's masts, swung
round, tearing everything in It's ard landing
large slice OF tho cabin side the schooner's deck.
The schooner swung clear, the two vessels parted.
voice shouted Let her 60, Cap ana the ferry boat
sped her way, Its officers stopping inquire
even tho name OF tho schooner that they had coIldod
with.
AFTER COLLISION.
The Stat work which supported the lie prcscrvers
on The SIDE oil the wheel box had been torn away aud
they scattered ali tho cabin on account
Of the darkness and excitement few would been
aue them. Tho greater part the seat on the
water side was crushed TO the floor and the mvers Of
tho vessel were thrown around tho room All of the
passengers who could rushed OUT but three OF them
not able 10 extricate themselves from the debriS
Alter the schooner had swung cear.a man came m
and ~ the gas and several oil tho passengers rushed
AID the wounded. Two gentlemen WHO were the
side seats were found under mass Of shattered
windows and boards. The elder wus bleeding freely
from largo wound In the head, but was perfectly
conscious The younger seemed TO have received
ternal INJURIES, but was able TO walk. The boy was
the worst injured OF any He lay bleeding on tho
cabin floor, entirely unconscious.
10 few minutes the ferryboat reached her pier at
Williamsburg. The boy was carried INTO tho ferry
house aud tho two gentlemen walked away. Tho
younger, whose name is George W Walline, went TO
his boarding house at No IS South Third
street. The elder, Johu Daley went TO tho
Eastern District plspensary. but, anding no
station house, where he found Dr. Fleming who
bound up hts wounds and sent him home TO No. 63
south I hird street. where his companion had pre-
coded hun. Patroirnan Brinkerhon OF tho Fifth pre-
cinct, near tho Jerry when the boat entered The
sup, and being notified Of the accident ran 10 tho
station house ana gave report OF tho DR..
Fleming was summoned IRON tho DIspcnsary, and
went with the ambulance to the Terry house, whence
no took the boy TO tho hospital. the lad had already
rscovsrea consciousness. aud said that no was
Henry Bennett, aged eighteen. OF No. q sSilImaa
avenue Tho DOCTOR after careful exam nation said
that his life was not In danger.
THE WRECKED VESSELS.
The scene At tho wreck yesterday morning show ed
how terrible tue collision must nave been. Bits OF
iron and wood sDatterod WITH blood lay about. Tho
iron pieces dividing the seals had boon broken like
pip-stems. On the floor OF tho cabin lay
feet of heavy iron chain that had evidently dropped
from the tchooner's bowsprt; lilo prescrvers
scattered around, ana IN the root was large hole.
The whole rooi, too had started under the tremcn-
dous pressure before tho bowsprit broke the coil
ing was cracked. The vessel had been taken TO tho
loot OF south Eleventh street. 10 was damaged about
$1,000.
opposite No. 1888 South street Tho broken bowsprit
Was lying upon the deck with large piccs OF the
ferry boats side. Captain Conway had gone away but
lam. l..F. Nuff.
lie SAID that when the schooner came out IRON the
dock the pilot OF tho Superior snw her but did not
alter his course. Instead Of that no rang the Jingle
bells TO 20 ahead full speed Tho wheel had only made
three revolutions wnch the COLLISION occurred. The
thought that Captain futile had slowed upa lit-
cand changed his course the vessels would have swung
alongside each other, barely touching aud then eot
clear without any shock or damage. Wncn tue cap
tain blow the danger whistle the ferrybost was four
lengths or and he would have had plenty OF time To
change his course.
ACCOUNTS ny SUFFERERS
Henry Bennett bed al the Dispcnsary ycster-
day, beng tended by DR.. Fleming. HIS friends bad
notified during the morning. ma they and other
friends called inquire after him. lie SAID mat no
asleep In the and tho hrst thing he knew
he was hited Oh the seat ana tna whole side OF tbe
boat ien on him. lie had oecn 20 the theatre with
two or three companions, one OF whom pulled him
from tho timoers Hc was suffering very badly. and
George ". walling said: III was engaged In con.
vcrsaon with Mr. Daley at the time o. tno collision.
There were about twelve persons IA the ait caun be
s,des ourselves. heard some wcro lost, but cannot
toll was injured about the Knees aud head Wo
sal next TO the water the right hAnd side coming
up. Tho back oil my ovcrcoat vas ripped up the mid
die. IL seemed TO N the whole side were lifted
We bad no warning, and 10 not know The de-
tails OF the acciuenL
A PAssESCERs STORY.
Mr.. IT, Shaptcr, OF No. Ie5 Lee avenue. who was on
the boat the timo the collision, saldIt In won-
dcrui that there not somebody killed. do not
think there WINS any one lost overheard. Thu night
was clear aud We could sec the lights OF Tho vessels
both sides Of Tie river. could soc the schooner
distinctly swinging clear There was no, boat nand
70 10 seen ailer toe accident. rhc ony Que heard
have any hing To say was when the schooner got
clear. lie shouted out for the captain 10 10 ahead.
INVESTIGATION 0ADkEkD.
superintendent Chapman, OF tho Roosevelt Street
Ferry Company, has called meeting OF us directors
their Office. M WILLIAMSBURG to-day ana the
OF tho collision viii be investigated Captain Con.
way, Of the Houston, and Captain futile, vi the Su-
pcrior, Will both be exainln ned.