Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-11
CAUGHT IN THE STORM.
An Excursion PsrU's Unpleasant EXpe
sience ON the Hudson.

rience ON the Hudson.
A Nyack IN. " special says; An
excursion party to Iona Island to-day,
composed Of the Nyack Reformed and
Episcopal Sabbath schools, had an un-
pleasant experience on the return trip
this evening. A few days ago the E.
Myers Excursion Line, Of New York,
contracted with a representative of the
Reformed school of this place for the
barge Walter Sands for the excursion to-
day. This morning when the excursion
lists reached the dock to board the boat
they were disappointed to find, instead
of the boat contracted for, the barge
William j. Haskell, which was very
unattractiye in appearance and unsat-
isfactory. The excursionists were COM
pelled, however, to accept it or stay at
home. The money charged for the
trip was paid, under protest, before
starting from this place. The party on
board consisted of about 700 persons,
at least 800 of whom were small
children. They arrived safely at Iona
Island and remained there until
o'clock this afternoon, when they start
ed for home. AT this time the clouds
were gathering in the west and threat
ened a thunder shower, but the canvas
rolled up at the sides of the barge de-
noted protection from the coming storm.
and all were as merry as party could
be under the most pleasant circum-
stances. As the boat proceeded down
the river the clouds thickened, and
when Tomkins'S Cove was reached at
tempts were made to put down
the canvas to prevent the rain from
coming in. Before this could be done,
however, the storm burst upon the boat
in all its fury. The canvas, that had
been partly tied down, was torn off by
the force Of the wind, and the rain beat
in in torrents. Then a crashing was
heard along the edge Of the roof Of the
upper deck, and in an instant the whole
right-hand portion of the roof was
raised from the outside edge and lifted
to an upright position against the
spars in the centre Of the boat. The
Spars were broken off like reeds,
and the entire half of the roof was
swept off into the river. The upper
deck was piled at the time with men.
women, and children, and for a moment
a panic was threatened, but the cool
ness Of a few men kept down the ex-
element in that part Of the boat. The
scene presented was a terrible one. The
thunderstorm appeared to be venting
its utmost fury upon the boat, and the
people were blinded by the rain and
wholly without shelter. Mrs. A. F..
West had her jaw badly injured by a
piece of falling timber, and number Of
ether persons received slight bruises,
but none were seriously injured.
When the roof went off into the river
the people on the lower decks were
alarmed, thinking that the whole top Of
the boat had been swept away, and
many persons with it. There was more
excitement in that part of the boat than
where the accident had really occurred,
as the safety of the persons up there was
unknown. Several persons attempted to
jump overheard, hut were prevented by
being pulled back from the railing Of the
boat. Three or four ladies tainted and
a couple went into Mysteries, but after
a time quiet was restored and the safety
Of the passengers assured. A number
of persons insisted upon being taken to
the nearest landing, as another shower
was threatened. but the better judg-
ment of the men who understood the
case prevailed, and the boat continued
on its course to Nyack.
An examination of the broken wood
work of the boat was made by several
practical mechanics on board, and 1t
was found that portion Of the timbers
was very rotten. 1t was found also
that the construction Of the upper part
of the barge was very poor, the roof
not having had any stays to hold it
down. The company did not keep its
contract with the managers of the
excursion, and much Indignation is
felt because of the poor barge
that was sent. When the boat
neared the steamboat landing, at 5
o'clock this evening, there was an i'm
mense crowd at the wharf waiting to
see whether friends were missing, the
telegraph having brought the news of
the accident to this place. Just before
the barge touched the dock the leader Of
the band, mounted on a chair, played
praise God. from whom all blessings
flOw," and a large number Of 'oices
Joined in the hymn, the refrain e lg
taken up on the dock.