The New York herald., 1879-10-15
COLLISION ON THE RIVER.

A FERRYBoAT CRASHES INTO TUG NEAR THE
BATTERY-PANIc AMONG THE MALE pAssEN-
GERS AND COURAGEOUS CONDUCT OF THE
LADIES.
Tho South ferryboat Columbia. when she left her
slip on the Brooklyn side at ten O'Clock yesterday
morning. had about three hundred passengers,
great portion of whom ladies. seated in tho
ladies' cabin She made the usual time across the
river. AS she approached the slip on the
New York side the pilot. Alonzo Smith.
deserted the tugboat Edgar Baxter coming
up stream with bark in tow. Both the
ferryboat and the tusboat blow whistles of warning;
but, Notwithstanding this fact which was testified
to by the pilots of both vessels, the ferryboat
into the tug, carried away all tho joinery work and
smashed the steampipe. The noise OF the escaping
steam, combined with the shock Of the collision
ITSELF created the utmost panic on board the Colum
bia. Tho ladies screamed and the men made gen.
era rush for the life preservcrs These articles which
have lain for many years untouched and enshrined
in vouminous folds Of sailcloth near the ceilings
of the cabins torn down by the excited crowd.
In a very few minutes nearly every man on board
had in his possession or two .life preservers."
A few gentlemen on board somewhat cooler than the
rest of the crowd went into the ladies cabin
oavored to the best of their ability to quiet the APP
prehensions of its occupants. To the credit OF the
ladies it must be said that they showed moro pres
ence OF mind than the majority OF the men on board
When assured that there was no danger they sunk
quietly into their seats and awaited developments.
They did not rush to secure life preservers. nor did
any of them attempt to jump overheard, as did two
men ON board the tugboat. After the collision all
the passengers landed in safety. The ferryboat
Columbia made more trip and was then sent to
the repair dock.
WHO Is TO BLAME?
As to the responsibility for the collision the state
ments Alonzo Smith and Charles Gates, pilots Of
he fprr
differ materially. Mr.. Smith says that his boat was
just about two hundred feet from the slip when lie
the tugboat Baxter with q bark in tow coming
around the Battery. He blew one whistle, which
signal for the tugboat that the Columbia
by the tueboat. which blew two whistles and these
signals were repeated. At last he blew three
whistles. the signal of immediate u,Ia dan
which his only salvation. for il he had
done otherwise both the tugooat and the bark would
have crushed into the side Of his vessel AS 1t was.
the carried away the off rail the port side Of
the Columbia and the water pipe. Pilot Smith is
satisfied that had it not been for the obsnacy of the
pilot of the tugboat tho collision would have been
avoided superintendent Firman. OF the South ferry
branch Of the Unicn Ferry Company. also states that
there is continuous trouble between the tugboats
plying to and fro tho East River and the ferry
boats. The tueboats, he are Obliged by law to
keep out III the stream but, instead OF doing So as
general rule they hug the shore, as was tho case
yesterday, and hence the collision.
OTHER SIDE.
Mr. Charles Gates pilot OF the tug, states that he
crowded into tho shore by number OF other
tows, and that when he first came in sight OF tho
Columbia she putting into her slip and there
were three schooners between the two boats. Mr..
Gates clsms to have blown the first warning two
whistles) which answered by the Columbia and
that the Columbias pilot. instead Of changing her
course. kept on. 1T had done otherwise than I
did, said Mr.. Gates "the tugboat would have gone
plump into the wheelhcuse OF the Columbia and
there might have been any number OF lives lost in
consequence. was thinking Of that. and also OF the
safety OF the bark had in tow, when allowed the
Columbia to run into me-"
Both pilots positive in their statements rs to
thcir own freedom IRON blame in the matter, but
passenger who on board the Columbia. aud
claims to have had great deal OF experience in
river sailing said to the reporter yesterday after
noon "Tho accident this morning Was due to pig
hcadedness the part of both pilots. This fight
between tho tugbont and the ferryboat pilots has
been going. on tor some time. aud for the sake OF
the public it ought to be suppressed. The tugboat
pilots will not take the middle OF tho stream, they
are required do by law but insist hugging tho
shore, and give much annoyance to the :erryboats.
1t is matter that ought to be inquired into. as 1t
interests every person travelling on the Brooklyn
ferries"