New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-16
COLLISION IN THE HARBOR.

THE THOMAS CoLLYER RUNS INTO THE TWILIGHT,
| THE LATTER BEING CROWDED WITH PAssEN-
| GERs-NARRow ESCAPE FROM TERRIBLE CA
| LAMITY--AIL THE TwILIGHPs PASSENGERS
| TRANSFERRED TO THE COLLYER AND BROUGHT
TO THE CITY.
collision occurred last night between two Of the
steamers of the Starn Line. that run between this
city and Bay Ridge In correction with the railway
| to Manhattan Beach, which only fortunate chance
saved from being a very serious catastrophe. At
about o'clock as the steamer Twilight was on her
upward trip from Bay Ridge, fTeighted with fully
a thousand persons the steamer Thomas Collyer,
belonging to the same line, struck her, causing
serious damage to tho Twilight. As soon as the
| crash was heard scene of confusion followed
Women screamed and rushed about IN the
utmost terror, and the men were not much less
frightened. general scramble for the hfe-pre-
servers ensued and some Of the men were so selfish
Gs TO provide themselves with two or three TO the
entire exclusion of the women.
After some minutes the extent OF the damage be-
came in some measure. known to the officers of the
boat who assured the passengers of their
safety, when the people became calmer and
awaited the result of the accident. The Twill ght
dufted about for some minutes, and ii then
| was found that she had been damaged to such an
extent as 10 prevent her continuing her trip to the
city. She was then anchored and the Colyer was
signoled TO come alongside and take off the
passengers. After some further delay they were
all safely transferred and taken by the Colyer to
the city, So far as could be ascertaincd the dam
aye to the Twilight a badly broken wheel and
the almost entire demolition of the rail; 1t
is also said that her shaft was broken. The Coyer
struck the Twilight about mdships and tore along
the side. carrying the woodwork away. Had
the bow of the Collyer struck trihe
/ all p.l.nlnfl Ii ~
have pierced the hull of the Twilight when fear
full catastrophe would have resulted
A deck hand fell from the Collyer and was
drowned as the steamboat was making landing at
the foot of LerOy-st. Ills body was not recovered
The name of the man is not known.
Henry Smith. Mr.. Starin's manager on board
the Twilight told a TRIBUNE reporter,
who visited that vessel soon after the
collision occurred, that the Twilight was coming
home with passengers from the o'clock train from
the Beach, when Just off Castle Garden the
Collyer, which was bound down with
few or no passengers on board, passed
on the land side. Just as they came abreast the
Collyer sheered in for some reason. and the two
boats struck sideways. The CollyePs guard
struck lust in the wake of the Twihghfs
wheel crushing in the light woodwork of the box so
that the wheel would not work. As as this was
were taken of by the COllyer, which took them
back to the city and then proceeded on her next
trip. There were several hundred passengers on
board and no injured
1.-THE vessels struck very lightly Mr.. Smith ad-
dcd "the night was very dark, as it was just be-
fore the heavy squall; but the pilots could the
vessels distinctly. There must have hecn
q vessel or a small boat, something of that sort.
which caused the Cover to sheer so suddenly !;
! though there was a strong cbb tide driving her
down. and that may have caused the collision.
! Captain Porter was in command Of the Twilight
! and Captain Gage of the COlyer The damage can
be repaired in a day two and the cost will not he
above $50 300.
Soon after a. M the Collyer, having discharged
its last load Of passengers, went down TO the Tw-
light and tOwed her up TO the dock, whore repairs
VAL be at once bcgun.1
As the Twilight was making of her reg
ular trips TO Bay Ridge yesterday afternoon,
a black yacht was seen off Gowanus Bay which
had been capsized, and upon the keel Of
which two were supporting Themselves
boat was sent off to her assistance, but
the refused 10 leave her. They said that one
Of their party had been drowned. The yacht was
afterwards seen alongside of a vessel ut anchor
She had been rialted, and the men were baIling
her out.