The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-05
COLLIDING WITH 4 FERRYBoAE
A Rondout Steamer Smashing In the Pert
side Of the james w. Baldwin.

Tho steamboat James W. Baldwin and the
fcrryboat Pavonia OF the Chambers street line
were In collision yesterday morning near the
New Jersey side The Baldwin was from Ron
dout. and was making her way against the
flood tide. preparatory to crossing tho river To
her landing. at Pier "a. North River. Tho ferry
boat was crossing 10 Jersey City. The ferryboat
struck tho Baldwin on the port side cutting
away the side Of the paddle box forward. break
ing quarter OF the wheel and its buckets into
Fragments tearing away the forward quarter
deck close to tho hull and smashing In the
joiner work Of both lower and upper decks
The gap WIS thirty foet in length. Two horses
were on the side OF the lower deck TIM, was car-
ried away. and one was killed while the other,
Valued ut 81 300. and owned by W. n. Crane Of
l3S Grand street. had one Of its lcgs broken.
ana u cattle broker was washing hero when the
steamboat was struck. Part ~ The floor OF the
room remained and he was nearly knocked
Capt. ]. ". Trcmper said TINT the ferryboat
was seen IN ample time for either boat To have
avoided collision. although II was pitch dark
hor course. because she had the right Of way.
sworving slightly away toward tho Jersey
coast, while she sounded n long blast signiiyng
that she intended Ia pass to the right OF the
PHvonta. The ferrybOat approaching on the
not change its course. Then tho Baldwin 5
pilot slowed up; hut. while both boats were in
motion, they came together The blame he
thought. rests on the Pavonin's pilot for not
having passed to the starbonrd. Tho damage
To his steamboat. be thought. would lie more
than 81 900, and n weeks time would be taken
To repair her.
The nature Of the damage done TO the pavonin
shows that the steamboat WIS across the bow OF
the ferrybont when they came together. Tho
forward ruddcr Of the forryboat was broken on
md the rudder post split from top TO bottom.
The rudder and the heavy guard OF the ferry
boat did the damage to tho James W. Baldwin.
Tho starboard forward guard rail OF the Pnvo-
MIA wns smashed. and the side OF tho hood over
the entrance to the ladies' cabin and part Of tho
cabin itsolf were crushed In. This shows that
the fcrryboa; first struck tho steamboats, pal
die box, and then swung around cutting
through the steamboats, woodwork and decks s.
The damage To- the Payonia ia about $500.
Pilot james Tobin Of the pnyonia said that he
nut out from the New York slip ut 3 A. NJ, and
that nearing the Jersey slip he saw through the
dar kncss tho J. w. Baldwin approaching. Fore
seeing that II the steamboat Kept on her way
n collision was unavoidable. he blew the whistle
twice, si-nifyng his Intention TO pass tn tho
eft Of the Baldwin Tho steamboat Kept on.
however. and crossing In front OF the ferry
boat exposed her side to the full force OF the
blow. To avert the collision rs far as possible.
the pilot added, the Pnvonin's wheel was put
hard .apOrt causing the ferryboat to strike tho
pHbble box obliqucly and slant forward. Had
II not been done the steamboat would have been
almost cut in two.