The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-06
PICNIC BARGES RUN INTO.
Il FAD SMASH IN HE'LL GATE ON TIN
FoRESIERS' EXCURSION.

The Portland Propeller Eioauora Cuts OF
tho Port Overriding OF Ono OF tho BnrEes
from Amidships to tho stern-Eight or
Ten Persons Murt-One SeriouaIy-Tho
EIeanorn Steamed On without stopping.
The Portland propeller Eleanora, going up
through He'll Gate Mt 80 yesterday afternoon
ran into two excersion barges which had 1900
people on board. The shock OF the collision
came near capszinE tho barRes. Eight or ten
people were injured by flying pieces Of
broken timbers throe o. them severely.
Tho excursionists wcrc tho members OF
Court Lafayette Lodge No. 344. independents
Order Of Foresters of Elizabeth. and their
families and friends. They left Elizabeth mt
1920 o'clock yesterday morning on the
barges Walter Sands Capt William Con-
norton, and tho Charles Spear. Capt.
Gibbons, In tow OF tho Idlowild. They
were bound for Idlewid Grove on tho
Sound. Both barges had on about as many
passengers as they could comfortably accom-
MEDIATE. Hundreds of restless feet kept time
to the music on the upper decks. 1t was a
family excursion. and women and children
formed the bulk OF the passengers. The trip
TO the Grove was without incident. After an
hour or SO all boarded tho barges again and
started on their return trip.
They came slowly through the Sound on tho
ebb tide, with music going and the unweariod
dancers footing it. When they entered Hell
Gate few Of them saw tho Elennora coming up
on the port bow. There was little wind and
the tide was about ebh The Idlewiid sheered
the barGes further of to starboard and whisted
to the Eleanora 10 keep to port.
Capt. Connorton of the barge Walter Sands
says the steamer answered the signals, but
did not alter her course Tho barges were
off n etarbOnrl . fnr n q thav could
safely 60 without striking on the rocks.
Tho steamship came rushing on without
reducing speed They met off Hallet's Point,
Astoria. Tho Captains OF the barRes were be-
ginning to think they would escape in safety,
when. according to Capt. Connorton, whose
barge was dashed on tho port side the Propeller
changed her course and headed directly to-
ward them.
1t was too late to warn those on the barGes OF
their danger. The black nose OF the steamship
came at them and cry OF terror went up.
There was terrific crash rs the steamship
struck tho mort barge, the Walter Sands, u
elancing blow about amidshps. staving in the
overhan Ging decks even with the hull. AS her
work clear TO thu, stern. splinters flew over
The barges ,were both thrown over to star
board. and the lower, decks were aiwash.
shock. There was rush to the uninjured
barge dashed to starb9ard. Tho Eleanora did
IOl STOP 10 SEQ WHAT udUlhEe llIl Desn uOn0s
She kept right on without diminishing her
speed in he least.
When the EIeanora struck tho barge those
who were not dancing sat with their backs to
the railing listening to the music. A shower
OF broken timbers fell among them. They
were knocked over their seats and some ~
them iously injured. After the excitement
had subsidized 1t was found that the huh Of the
barge was intact. The ldlewild took tho
barRes into Hallet's Cove, where they made
fast to ,Clonin & Messengers coal dock.
Tho injured are:
ELK, HkARY Elizabeth head hurt
JEsNtSGs Mrs Elizabeth, head and face cut
JrSSINGs WILLIAM. years old son OF Mrs. JenningN
hurt about head aud face.
DufRA>H, GkCptGE. back hurt.
JoSHs, HEORGE leg hurt.
LANG GEORGE EiizaDorh. injured internally.
q BRiEN EDWARD. Elizabeth; skull fractured by fall
OF deck support was taken to hospital Black wels
Island
$LATrpRr Mrs. Elizabeth nose cut open and other
wise injured taken {" hospital on black Island
SuLL'vA>. BGIIGxT mother OF Mrs Slattery, injured
about head; Charity Hospital.
There were others less severely hurt Tho
1dlewlld took Ito most seriously injured over
to the Charity Hospital at Blackwells Island.
Mhero three of them remained last night.
When the Idewild returned all the others
got aboard the unnjured barge and were
taken home or crossed TO New York and re-
turned by train. Exaggerated stories OF tho
extent OF the disaster reached Elizabeth and
caused great anxiety there.