The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-21
FALL OF AN ELEVATOR.

ONE OF THE LARGE CARS IN THE POST OFFICE
BUILDING DROPS NEARLY FIFTY FEET-THH
MAN IN CHARGE INJURED.
An accident occurred yesterday afternoon in the
Post Once Building which nearly resulted In fatal
consequences. AS the large hydraulic elevator run
ming at the northwest corner on the Broadway side
of the building was making trip downward from the
fourth floor some part OF the mechanism connecting
with the shafting suddenly gave way and the immense
car with severe joltngs. descended rapidly below
the second floor. There six persons in the car.
including James Canty. the man in charge. Between
the second and third floors CAVITY threw himself out
the gate the second Aoor. narrowly escaping
being crushed to death by the descending car but
falling the marble pavement severely injured.
The other parties remained in the elevator till It
stopped and escaped with slight bruises. The ele-
yator has been in the hands of the builder (Mars)
undergoing repairs. which completed last
"Wednesday night. the car fesuming its trips yester
day morning.
In the course of the afternoon Mr.. CAVITY noticed
some Earrings in its working. and on the last upper
extraordinary flow of water from the lower section
OF the hydraulic pipe. remarking that something
was wrong. and that further travel by the would
be unsafe. 1t reached the top floor however. with
out accident, and CAVITY, who by this time appeared
thoroughly alarmed LETT it with the intention Of re-
porting the condition of things to the superintend
ing architect Mr.. Jackson; but the latter absent
at The moment, and as there was to au.
thorize him to stop running the man returned ia
his post Before starting his downward trip.
with five passengers. the question OF the condition
OF the car was humorously commented on but the
gate closed and the elevator started Almost al
this instant it suddenly dropped several feet stopped
for an instant then fell several feet further and 40
with successive jolts. when all the water having
escaped from the two upper sections Of the tubinga
it as suddenly stopped when the lowest section was
reached. having fallen distance OF forty-fve or
fifty feet. The frightened occupants speedily
assisted to the second floor. Deputy United States
ot,a1
few fearful moments. said he was shaken and par.
TALLY stunned at each shock the received in ito
descent. CAVITY, who ran the elevator. was, how.
ever tho only person injured. He was at once con-
veyed to an adjoining ROOM where. after while. he
recovered sufficiently from the shock and injuries to
be removed TO his home.
1t is probable that this accident. in connection
with some previously discovered defects the
machinery. will cventuate in their entire disuae in
the Post Office Building result greatly desired by
the more prominent osicials there. The two large
passenger hydraulic elevators in the northeast aud
northwest corners OF the building have been in
o little four years. They constructed by
contract at an expense to the government of upward
OF $35 900. Since being accepted by the government
hardly month has passed that other OF them
has not required extensive and costly REPAIRS This
has been more particularly the case regards the
elevator to which the accident occurred yesterday.
supposed have been placed in perfect repair
down. In the present the accident arose from
the breaking Of the collar or sleeve of Of the
sections-a piece OF the new work SO lately done.
PROMPT ACTION OF THE ENGINEER
The prompt action Of Chief Engineer Baragwa-
nath. who was in the engine room when the acci-
dent occurred. averted all possible danger to the
other elevators in the building. The noise Of the
falling elevator and the rush of escaping water
warned him Of what had occurred, and without
moments delay he turned OF the water supply. shut
Oft the engine power, and the great furnace doors
were promptly thrown open ut his orders. Mr..
Baragwanath has been greatly opposed to the Of
these elevators not particularly with regard to tho
question of their safety. but on account OF their
great expense. Previous to the present accident he,
had drawn up letter. addressed to the Secretary Of
tho Treasury suggesting that 1t would be gain to
the Department to remove them and replace them
with others.