New-York tribune., 1885-07-08
STRANDED IN A DENSE FOG.
FIVE HOURS OF MISERY FOR $50 PEOPLE -ru
BOAT ON A BAR.

The Columbia, of the Knickerbocker Steams
boat Line. left Jewells Wharf, Brooklyn yesterday q
2:2C p. with about $50 passengers on board bound
for Rockaway Beach As tho lines loose frou
the dock tho band on the upper deck gayy playing
We won't 20 home till morning." and the words were
nearly verified. The trip as far the Narrows wse
pleasant bat suddenly the sun disappeared behind .
cloud, and the Columbia was In the miist Of .
dense fog bank The tinkng Of the bell In the cngnoere
room and the hurryng of the officers AMI indicated
that 1t was usual occurrence 1t was almost impos.
sible to ten feet either side Of 1.-THE
slowly felt her way down the channel The bell buoy -
the entrance OF the beach channel passed In safety
when suddenly the bell rung to stop. and the pilot
Luke schenk. placed his hand behind his eager -
catch the sound Of the bell on the second buoy.
He heard the bell and signalled the engineer to pro-
coed slowly. Hardly had tho signal been given before
the Passengers felt heavy shock followed by two
three smaller ones and the Columbia hard aground
the north part. AL efforts to float her useless,
and the passengers camp from the heavy fog tired and
hungry proceeded to make themselves comfortable
possible The band brought down to the lower deck
where few INDUCED dancing. but the majority Of the
passengers gave way to their feelings and said hard
words. Captain Holden assured them that there no
immediate canger, and did all in his power to make them
comfortable their troubled minds would permit
Babies crying, mothers scoding the sterner
sex swearing and the women stamping their feet im-
patiently. The only happy couple were from the East
Side, and had drank just enough to give them the don't
spirit Captain Holden had the long boat lowered
and dispatched to Caharse for one Of the Canarse
steamers to come to their aid.
As the boat with First Oliccr johnson and Press
Agent Judson shot away from the side Of the Columbia
the passengers sent up three rousng cheers and
toned them to hurry back and tow the Canarse boat
behind them They SOON lost In the fog and the
little excitement occasoned By their enbarkment aud
departure was soon forgotten. The only life Was
party OF young men ho did their best 10 entertain tho
passengers by crackins old chestnus and singing ana IN
discomfort and temper OF those on board darkness soon
set ill., but Just it was about to encirce the steamer tho
Grand Republic OF the line came In response to tue
bistes OF the Columbia and took up position ait the
r Soa s sne her % seemed 10
the ColumbIas passengers wonderfully, but she saSa
Money that would have been spent at Rockaway fell
into the Golfers OF the boat restaurant and the hand
fSssoasy fss reSaEeS i don't ike being on sand Ssr
at ALL but I'll stay with the boat as long as plank re-
ger on board" While Captain oIien was seriously
contemplating sending second boat In search OF the
s:gnt and was run alongside Of the Columbia and the
passengers were transferred TO Caharse ana tben
that the boat sent for assistance lost sn had II not
been for fisherman named Berneister, they never
while on her way to the beach, and she Immediately
went to the assistance OF the Columbia when asked Tue
yonns women clerks on board the Columbia all night.
while he came to his home IN New York. Tue steamer
dangerous one. and the pilot said that he had no tea
where he was, and was depending entirely on Dis
soundings The passengers on board five hours.
When the Iron Steamboat left It's pier at p N.
clear sky and refreshing breeze made every ono hose
for pleasant trip Coney Island Before the steamer
gone far shower drove all thc passe gers .to tho
cabins When about opposite the fash light reg came
rolling In through the Narrows The speed OF the hoae
was diminished half and the frightened passengers
we're nnay landed at Coney Island only few minutes
benin time collision at time seemed certain bus
az the engines we're quickly reversed a large ocesn
steamer grazed the boat, am0s. touching IT, NO boab
left the Island until after the fog lifted.