New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-23
STILL BURIED IN THE SHAFT.

EHOItS 10 take the D00leS OF the WOThIHcn
from the Hudson River Tunnel were de-
ayed yesterday by the accident to the
pump with which 1t was hoped to
remove the water in the pit. The
damage was repaired late in the afternoon,
and some water was taken out, but 1t seemed
evident last night to the engineer in
charge that it would be impossible 10
get the water ont in this way.
The pump was kept going, but he
believed that it would be necessary to
build coffer-dam between the river
bulkhead and the vertical shaft before
the water could be much lowered.
Ees and minnows were found. and tins
seemed to indicate that the shaft was filled
with river water.
EFFORTS TO REACH THE DEAD BODIES.
There were even more persons about the scene Of
the tunnel disaster yesterday than on wednesday.
despite the extremely dsagreeable weather and the
muddy paths to be traversed in order to r'ach the
place. At about 10 o'clock in the forenoon a drz-
zling shower began, which soon settled into q
steady rain, continuing throughout the day but
it had little effect upon the crowd which gathered
outside the building watching the work inside with
a curiosity which not even tho rain could dampen.
The policemen retired inside the building when the
storm became heavy, and then the people came in-
side the ropes, though they hesitated IN the rain
for some time before crowding into the building.
Gradually. however. many Of them edged IN. and
the policemen were too tender-heaItcd TO eject
them, though they interfered with the workmen
and did not ike it when asked to stand back out
Of the way. Most of those who thus crowded in had
no business in the place whatever.
On the outskirts OF the crowd outside the build
ing, were some women and young girls, scantIy
protected from the rain by umbrellas. They
anxiously watched the work gong in
the direction of the recovery Of the bodies,
and although assured that the victims could not
possibly be reached for two days at least. they re-
fused to leave the place where so much. TO them,
was buried. There was a mourntul fascination in
watching the steps to be taken before the bodies
could be reached which they did rot care to shake
off and there they stood through almost the entire
day. A shed outside was filed with boys who
could not get into the building and myriads OF
ragged urchins waded through the muddy pools OF
the field or sat on the piles of iron plates regardless
of the rain.
Workmen were on the ground ready TO 90 to work
as early as o'clock yesterday morning, but
nothing could be done until the pump. which had
fallen into the shaft and sunk IN thirty feet OF
water the night before, while it was being rugged in
I,
submarine diver, who lives in Hobokcn, had been
sent for late on Wednesday night. but his diving
suit was in New-York and could not be obtained be-
fore morning, so the work was abandoned then.
The outside workmen had already dug down
the fallen portion of the temporary entrance to the
tunnel until they stopped by tLe water. Tho
diver came over with his suit at about
o'clock. He is a short, tbick-sct German, with
bald head aud gray beard and from the tine OF his
arrival was the centre of attraction Ii was thought
by many that he might be able to discover some Of
the bodies. Hastily attiring himself in his strange
garb, after explaining 10 the attendants how they
must supply the air through the long rubber tube.
which he carefully inspected. he adjusted the he'll
met-shaped headppe, with its round glass windows.
and descended into the great well. For some mo-
ments he remained below. the crowd awaiting the
result of his operations with anxiety. Finally he
gave the signal to be drawn up. Mr.. Andersen. tho
superintendent, was on the steps awaiting him.
What did you dscoveri' he asked. Wonneberg
answered that he had not found the pump. that he
had crossed part OF the railroad track and had
found considerable difficulty in making hls way
over a lot OF timbers and iron-work with which the
bottom of the shaft was covered He had been at
the air-lock. but the doorway leading INTO il was
blocked up by debris. He no bodies, of course.
After q short rest Wonneberg descended
again. This time he succeeded in finding
the pump, and securely tying it with ropes.
made signals, and drawn up. The pump was
then brought to the surface in few moments.
The work of rigging it then occupied the time until
o'clock in the afternoon. The parts of the heavy
machine had to be connected and swang below tho
beams laid across the top of the main shaft, tho
steam-pIpe connections had to be made. and the
long troughs constructed to carry away the water
pumped out The pumping did not begin until 4:iJ
D. H., and advanced at first but slowly, owing 10
certain difficulties in the connection Of the pipes
aud the too small capacity OF the trough. The men
worked diligently and well under the direction OF
Superintendent Andersen. President Haskin was
also busly engaged in looking after aiflirs. lie was
greatly annoyed by the crowds who hndercd the
workers. 81 cannot exactly drive them ont INTO
the rain" said he some of them have trlends
and relatives among the dead, and 1t would DO
heartess indeed to treat them unkIDdly-and yet
the men cannot work with them here there is not
room. do not think we would have had our accI-
dent last nigat had the crowd been kept away. Tho
dropping of that pump has kept us back just about
one day. and / attribute il all TO the
presence of SO many persons. After to-day. how
ever. no persons shall be admitted TO our premises
besides the workmen and those who are related 10
the dead and wish to come in long enough to make
inquiries"
PRESIDENT HAsKIS's OPINIONS.
President Dewitt c. Haskin, when asked by .
TRIBUNE reporter yesterday it any change had
taken place in his opinion regarding the disaster,
said
1T still seems TO me that II due to careless
ness or a too great confidence in the successful
progress of the work. Nothing has occurred TO
change this opinion
"Will the damage be any greater than tho
amount that you stated yesterday :"
II think not. 1t still seems to me. rs TnE TRiB-
UNE stated this morning, that $4,000 ought TO
cover il. We have been working hard to get the
pumps in position. and We hope TO be able to get
the bodies. out through the air-lock. The pumps
which we are adjusting will take out about 1,2O0
g,llnps n minute AT this rate wo ought 90 reach