New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-12
AN EXCLUSION BARdE SUNK.

ONE THOUSAND LIVES ENDANGERED.
THE BARGE REPCBLIc AGROUND ON FLOOD ROCK
WITH AN FxCURsION PARTY on BOARD--GREAI
EXCITEMENT. But NO LIVES LOST
The barge Republic started from the foot Of
! West Thirty-fourth-st. at 8 a. m. yester-
day. and. after making stop at the foo
! of East Thirty third ST., proceeded to the
Oriental Grove. in Long Island Sound, having on
board nearly 1000 persons, many of whom were
women and children Il was towed by the tug boat
W. X. Burke. and had been chartered for the
eighteenth annual excursion of the COrinthian
Lodge of Free and ccepted Masons.
On the return trip the barge reached He'll Gate
shortly before p m. A strong ebb tide flow
ing at the time. Captain Francis Delavan, who was
plotting the tugboat. decided 10 take the
barge into the ship channel to the north of Flood
Rock. Ibis required strong pull across the tide.
and the barge being drawn IN a
westward direction, a short distance above Flood
Rock, the hawser suddenly parted. The crowded
barge thus left at the mercy of the tide. 1t
drftcd hepessly upon the northern side of Flood
Rock and struck amidships upon hafsubmerged
spur called The Monument
he starboard side of the barge, below the water
line, injured by the force OF the blow hut not
enough 10 allow the water 10 enter. As the rocks
had gentle slope at that point and the tide was
eobing fast. the barge remained where 1t
struck. Great excitement had prevailed the
barge before the rocks were reached, and
when the shock occurred many of the
women and children gave vent to
their excitement in frantic cries for assistance.
The men on board who preserved their presence of
mind had e. use every means of persuasion IN their
power to prevent the rest from springng into the
water.
When the barge struck the rock it was
seen by about 100 workmen who are en-
ploved by the Government on the rock
making excavations, and who FASTENED
TO the assistance of the persons on
the barge. They placed long planks from the rocks
to the barge IN such position that those on board
could dsembark without danger. In short time
all the passengers landed on the rock No
injured.
The captain Of the tuQ had whistled for assistance
in the meantime and the signal had been heard by
Captain Schultz and his men on board the steamer
Tiger Lily, which has been used as police boat fer
some time. The Tiger Lily was passing Hal
LEAFS Point at the time the barge ran aground !
Captain Schultz had the steamer run I'D to
the east side of Flood Rock, and a.
lowed as many of the bargc'5 passengers
to come on board as could obtain standing room.
Then The steamer was turned IN the direction
General A. 4. Humphreys. was afterward |
sent back and forth between Flood Rock !
and the foot of East Nlnety-secondst. and landed |
the greater portion of The remaining passengers |
Many small boats from the city also went out
70 the rock, and some Of the passengers
chose to 20 back them. Before p. m
all the passengers on the barge had landed unhurt
IN the city and gone to their homes.
The barge was left fast bound bv
the rocks, and it was found i'm
pOss be to get her afoat again before
high tide. The extent of the injury TO the barge
could not be learned last night.
II the barge had drfted twenty feet to the west |
IF Flood Rock II would have been wrecked
upon a series OF low. sharp pointed rocks, called
Tie "nyger ads which ere visible ONLY
n low tide. The currents which pass over these
'Oc<s wneu the tide Is flowing verv swift and
vessel which strikes them is sure to 20 to pieces
The captain of the tugbUat could not be found
asst evening. but several men who are accustomed
o row IN the waters at He'll Gate said
hat he In way responsible
or the accident, and that be showed good Judgment
Il choosing the snip channel for passage of the
lrge at the time.
Flood Rock. which forms one Of the most
anrerous obstructens Hell Gaze. is a rocky islet
lrty yards oE, ana about $50 yards or Hlletts
ONT Tue United states engineers have been engaged
time In tuunelng the rock the purpose
rem0ylng 10 by Blasting and 1t is expected thit "A
rpth Of low water Will be obtained
lere when the rock Is removed
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