New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-13
COUNTING me P4SSENGERS.


ILLUSTRATING THE SYSTEM ~ USE ON COMFY
ISLAND BOATS.
Two mcn were chatting on the upper deck Of one
of the Iron Steamboats, the other afternoon. The
boat was nearing Concy Island and already the
sv.arthv Italians who make what they term, with
grim sarcasm. music were counting the reluctant
change extracted from the tortured hearers The
boat was crowded. and their harvest probably was
a fair one for their white teeth shonc as they
rrinnei with delight. The two friends who were
I,zuv discussing men and manners in the shelter of
the smokcstack had Just turned their conversation
to the crowd on board, when "a short thck-set man.,
with keen eyes and good hundred. expression aud
a fair beard paused to listen.
How many are there on board'" queried the
elder Of the two friends.
"Well a great many too many. ! believe they
overcrowd these boats shamcfuliy. believe the
law only allows them 10 carry about 1000, and
there must be nearly twice ~ many on TINS boat
Well that's coming II rather TOO strong sald
his friend. ." / guess 300 would bc nearer the
II bet there are at least 5000" answered his
friend and this Is the last time trust myself To
| AN oyercrowded boat like this
You are both wrong gentlemcn,' remarked the
quiet with tie lar beard " / mere are not
800 on board
"Nonsense," said the first speaker. all bet you
$50 there are fully 5000
We'll ! won't bet" said the quiet man. " for |
happen to Lno'r. Come with me aud will show You
something
The rw0 friends followed the ouiet man 10 the
shore side of the boat. for by this time the mooring
rope4 were fast and the gangway about TO be
lowered =.
4You see that man the landing Of the pier"
said the quiet man. d" Well. notice the movement
OF his hand as the people begin to pour out Of the
The friends. looked. and the keener-eyed one no.
ticed a. the people rushed over the gang plank an
almost ImpcTccptible movement Of the thumb Of
the right hand the hand being shut tightly around
I anal pltf gft II he
poured on IN den-er stream. and the movement OF
the thumb grew corIespondngly faster.
"N0w look at that man just below you,' said the
Another blue-coated person was seen standing at
the side of the gangway duplicating the movements
Want a bit 7 said the quiet man in answer To the
questioning glauces of the two friends. The last
passenger left the boat and the gangway was clear.
-" Come mp here called the quiet man h. the man
ON the pier. who instantly obeyed the summons and
soon alongside the trio on the upper deck.
"Good-day Mr. LOcw.' said he. "GOOd-day. Jim.
answered Mr. Loow. How many on thus trpI
Fourteen twenty whine answered the man.
Come mp here. Jack" shouted Mr. Loew to the
man ON board near the gaugwaY " How many on
this trlpT he asked when the man appeared.
Fourteen twenty-five. SIR" was the answer
" There. Rentlemen' sad Nh Inrw triumphantly.
This boat has either l421 ar .42D passengers on
board These men have oarh patent iudoN worked
b. the pic'mr" Of tho thumb and by thls means
they check tho number of the passengers ON every
boat "A soon as we yet ON shore. b. satisfy you
further. viii telegraph 30 Pier No Nofth River.
same manner entering The boat and how many got
on M Iwcutt thfd.Ht shall also learn how many
tickets were sold and how many passes were shown
with the names Of the holders ou them
a few minutes suilced ~ prove the truth ~ this.
telegraph instrument Oh the pier tcked out tho
statement "Numher of passengers i2-, passes
a. boat left Twcnty. third.st 332 Pier SO. / l.Ol"
think I'll always travel on these boats after
all, - said the elder of the two friends
any system IL pretty perfect" said Mr. Low.
All my piers, including that at Long Branch, are
connected. Wherever am know just what IL Ro-
4 tall flnV
rough sea at the Branch Will prevent "a landing !
tell whether the crowd IN great that an extra
boat Is needed at any pier. and NJ on. IL has taken
much time to perfect ihis system. but think IT Is
almost perfect aOw.H