New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-26
4 AEW D4NGER OF THE DEEP.

The shock brought by the intelligence that q
North River ferryboat had run down and sunk
a good-sized ocean steamer and escaped. as we
may say, with q few bruises. was considerably
softened by the remembrance that 1t was only n
few weeks ago that canal-boat deliberately ran
into one Of the largest vessels In our Navy and
seriously crippled it. Have steel cruisers and
iron steamers no rights which the predatory
canal-boat and ravenous ferryboat are bound to
respectp
They order, say we. such matters better on land
dog, for instance, which might 10 about swapping
at people is promptly muzaled. Men in charge
q. teams are compelled to drive moderately and
contine themselves to the streets Locomotives
are made to keep on their tracks. and not go TO
proving about the country seeking whom they
may run over But on the water 1t would
SEEM in the light of recent events, that Jersey
City ferryboat may conceive a dislike for a
steamer and chase her half way to Europe and run
her down in mid-ocean. Who knows but that at
this moment the City of Wiehawken" or the
" State of New-Jersey" may be making deadly
attacks on the City of New-York' and the
Britannica of the Banks Of New Foundland.
Seriously speaking, however, these newly de-
veloped traits the part Of canal and ferry boats
should teach the country valuable lesson Let
us make up our Navy OF ferry and canal boats
In the future let our maritime forces consist ex-
clusively OF double-end ferryboats and long, low,
ralIish canal-boats. 1t would seem If such a
feet would be considerably more terrible than an
army with banners and every man carrying
Gatng-gun under his arm like roll OF carpet.
Secretary Whitney's attention should he called TO
this ferryboat episode-he may possibly already
have heard OF the little affair with the canalboat.
With feet Of formidable New-Yorlz Harbor ferry
.l,n hama patr
the Pacific. and several red white and blue Erie
canal-boats prowllng up and down the coast OF
South America. or showing their teeth at the
Rock Of Gibraltar. our supremacy on the sea
would be again unquestioned.
If our ferryboats continue as aggressive as they
at present appear to be, the captains OF steamers
entering the port will find a number OF new duties
devolving upol them. Their chief aim in the
future will be TO dodge ferryboats. The steamers
will be built long and narrow, with great
capacity for sudden spurts OF speed, and painted
gray TO enable them the better to slip
along unperceived IN fog. Each will
lie cautiously at her pier, as II she
intended to stay several days yet, when suddenly,
the lookout announcing the coast clear, the cap
tain will give the order, and the ocean greyhound
will bound away like frightened wolf, with per-
haps ferryboat III hot and excited pursuit On
arriving at our inhospitable shores, the cautious
captain will lie outside of Sandy Hook till about
3 n. m. and then slip in quietly, keeping sharp
lookout for ferryboats lurking in the Kill Won
Kull or behind Bellows Island. waiting to pounce
upon their prey. The transatlantic captain who
does not wish 10 ferryboat crash into the
side of his ship and knock out a hole as big as
a house. and then calmly back off and proceed
on her way TO Hobolen or Communipaw, must
rmbody those qualities which make successful
blockade runners. Ware OF the ferryboat We that
go down TO the sea in iron steamships.