New-York tribune., 1882-08-14
IN COLLISION IN TIE BAY.

THE SYLVAN DELL STRIKES THE SIRIUS
THE DELL wITHDRAws FOR RIP VRs--No LIVES
LOsT-CAARGEs AGAINST CAPTAIN LONG.
A collision occurred Yesterday afternoon between
the Sirius belonging to the Iron Steamboat Com
pany and the Sylvan Dell, which connects with
the New-York and Sea Beach Railroad AT
Bay Ridge. II was at an hour "hen the
Coney Island boats crowded on the trips
from the city. and more than a thousand hVes were
endangered by the collision. The boats started from
the Battery togetherat o'clock and ran side by SIDE
the Sylvan Dell being to the west side, until o kob-
bins Reef when she stopped in order to turn INTO
her landing at Bay Ridge Just how the boats came
in collision could not be learned with any
degree OF accuracy not even IRON the cap
tain of one Of them, who was standing
in the wheelhouse when they struck. The Sylvan
Dell had nearly headed across the stream, when her
bow was struck bv the guard Of the iron boat. The
shock was so great that the stem of the Sylvan Dell
was broken and a large hole knocked IN her bow
The Sirius sustained injury, and after stopping
moment TO offer assistance. If necessary she pro-
ceeded on her way to the Iron Pier
The passengers on the Sylvan Dell were greatly
frightened and many of them ran for the lifepre-
servers II was said that three or four of them
fearing that the boat was sinking jumped TO the
Sirius and went to the beach on her. The Bay
Ridge boat was near her dock and she soon landed
her passengers. The captain refused to carry any
more until the damages were repaired. and he re-
turned TO Pier No. North River without a
load There he was asked 10 nail piece Of
white canvas over the broken bow and keep on
making the regular trips through the day. but he
refus sed do and the vessel sent 10 lllson
Dry Dock at the foot of Morgan-st, in Jersey City.
Captain Long of the Sylvan Dell, was found pac-
inc alongside his vesse last night at the dry dock:
whore several wOrkmen tearing OF
the broken boards and preparing to get
the boat IN shape Tor her morn
inr trip to-day. Pausing IN his walk a moment.
CaptaIn Long told reporter of The TRIBUNE lis
story: II Is very seldom" he said, >, that we run
down with an IRON steam BOAT but TINS afternoon
we were about five minutes late, and 80 got To Per
s lust rs abe was pulling out. We ran together
nearly all the way down.
About 100 feet. should say. ! was in
the wEec-house all the ume. AT night, / never
let loose of the wheel but III the daytime rust to
my pilot As was saying Te were running about
100 feet from each other rom the Battery 10 the
Reef We were lot racing AZ can show yoq by
the amount ot steam we were using Ile law allows
Us to carry 81 pounds and we only had u.
Ridre my pilot slowed up to 90
in-sbcre Instead Of steering through the
shallow water near the Ridge, 70 below and then
turn around and head IN, IN deep water All the way
down we were on tho west side and not beng tar
enough ahead Of he Sirius 10 cross her boz" we had
to walt for her TO go ahead. ,Olu my pilot tnat he
was heaIing the boat too near Tie Other Dut ne Sdu
that ha was gong all night
hen do Won blsme INN for he collision -
blame hlm as much as | 10 the other pilot.
Both alse 70 blame Ihe rest al occurred
toward each other We had our engines stopped
and 50 could not help ourselves Hat they been 90
| ing We could have backed a"..y au4 avoided D.IIg
hit. As 1t was, the guard OF the vince on tne ron
| boat struck stem and injured II about YIOU.'
WHAT did the Captain OF the Sinus do -
"He acted very honorably by stopping his boat
and offering 10 assist IN !aBulng our passengers.
/ When | had found that the lnJ nre5
were not sufficient 10 cause lelkage, m
"A l. Inl0
/ passengers on the sylvan Del were somewhat
! frightened of course bat soon as could ran
| down and ordered tLem to 90 aft as thought that
/ the injuries might be serious. We have a watrr-
tight compartment, fifteen feet square Oack OF the
| bow, so that the whole stem cOud nave 'ceh
/ knocked OF without any danger ol Tie boat SINK
/ ing"
"Dd you consider the injuries too great to war
| rant You in continuing your regular trlpsT
" Well. ! would not run boat patched with can
| vas because OF the way IL would LOOK. And then
/ | dId not 10 taAe any risk with disabled
vessel The owners OF the boat wanted me 10
/ patch il up and run ~ TIL night, Put Wouid not
| even carry a load back to The city"
" How many passengers had you on board at the
/ time of the col lLslOn I"
Between four and FIVE huadIed, bat we are al
| lOWec 10 carry go.
" How long VIII the repairs delIy you ?"
" Ihcy Will be- completed tonight, 80 that We
! can g1 duty agan III the morning
j. VI. Kenny, ihc assistant superintendent OF the
/ Iron Steamboat Company, SAID IN regard 10 the
collision " Our boat was not injured III the slight
/ -st. ! am afraid the sylvan Dell was badly bat
| tered The passcngers were only frigh. ened, that
| was all-none OF them was hurt. lhe collision Oc-
/ Cured while the SIRIUS was Oh her trp TO
/ Couey Island at =. IN. Both boats
/ NAMED side by side, with only about fifteen
/ feet OF wafer between them, until they reached "a
/ polat opposite AODulI's Rect Then the sylvan
J Del without any warning turned her bow toward
Bav Ridge her destination. and without giving our
boat any opportunity Ol get4lng clear, ran INTO tne
! sirius about aDiuslIpS. ILc Dow Oi the eylNan
Dell struck the IRON boat little abaft Ot the Wncc-
NIT INN TtftfFN 4Dt
our steamer stove IN her own bow and entirely de-
/ mol isned her ral. Thee WAS immediately rush
Tor Ie-pTeseryers among tie passengers on our boat
| and aJ least 900 PERSONS secured them. 1nt
/ officers being aware that there was no
danger. quickly quoted rhe passengers, and alter
clearing herself from the sylvan Den The Sirlds
/ continued heI trlp 10 the Iron Pier The excite
! ment on board the Dell very great. Al the
shock OccaslOAed By the collision several pdsscn-
gers jumped rom her deck 10 the Sinus ana the
officers had apparently mach difficulty III reisss III
/ ing those ~ no remained on her.
" he trouble was all cccasloncd by the. careless
| ness of Jacob Long, the captain of the sylvan
/ De l. Long has been dOggIhg our boats for con-
/ siderable TINE. and the nValry between tie cap
tlIs ON excursion steamers j. very gfc4t IL Is my
opinion that the collision was WIuu on the part Of
| Long, ana although no damage was sustained BY
! our boat think the sa!ety OF the
| ua,,cuc.r, should be considered. { iptain Moses
Iougs.r rect the commander of the Sirius. Is an Old
/ rIver pnOt ana knows his business thoroughly. 1
90 not Auiu hun III taut. ne damage To the Sylvan
Dell d. serious. but the amount Wnch Nll cover IL
! cauLOt determine lac SlrIus has continued her
trips To COuey il and the accident on The Tegu-
lar time lie SINUS carried about 500 Passengers
| the - ivan Dell about the same numDer