New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-12

THIS TIME SHE TRIES TO RUN OVER A
PENNSYLVANIA FERRYBOAT
HER BOwSPRIT WAS BROKEN OFF, PUT SHE KEPT
ON TO SEE THE YACHT RACE--FERRY
PASSENGERS FRIGHTENED.

PASSENGERS FRIGHTENED.
John Jacob Astor's steam yacht Nourmahal, while
coming down the Hudson River yesterday morning,
on her way to attend the yacht race, ran into the
Pennsylvania Railroad ferryboat Washington, with
disastrous results to both vessels. The ferryboat
had left Jersey City at 925 O'Clock, and about
one-third of the way across the river when the
Nourmahal approached her from the port side.
The captain of the ferryboat says he whistled
twice. signifying that he would slow down and
let the yacht cross his bows. Other witnesses say
he whisted only once. which would mean that he
intended to cross in front of the yacht.
The yacht acted as If the ferryboat meant to
pursue the latter course. Without answering the
whistle she should have done, she steered sharply
TO starboard, probably intending TO pass behind the
ferryboat. The captain of the latter. either be-
he had always intended to do so. as he says.
or because he became confused stopped his boat
and then backed her. with the result that the
Nourmahars bow struck the ferryboats forward
deck squarely. cutting into it for distance of four
feet. Instantly the yacht was put at full speed
astern and quickly separated from the ferryboat
She then started down the river apparently de-
termned not to miss the race no matter what
happened. On the ferryboat, which was crowded
with passengers, great excitement prevailed. 1t is
said that two of the women on board tainted, while
others were badly frightened The vessel returned
TO her slip in Jersey City, where the passengers
transferred to another boat. and the Wash
ineton was then taken to the Hoboken shops of
the company, where she will be repaired. The
damage will amount to about $1,000. a great
wedge-shaped piece has apparently been cut out
of the forward deck and the iron cross-beams
near il have been badly bent. The hull has not
been damaged.
CAPTAIN TINSLAw MAKES 4 STATEMENT.
r. b. Tnslaw. captain of the Washington. said
yesterday that when he the Nourmahal ap-
preaching on his port side he at once rang to slow
down. and blew two whistles to show that he meant
to give the yacht clear way. To his surprise she
suddenly sheered toward him. He then rang to
back and blew alarm whistle. He had sternway
on when the yacht struck him.
William f. Ferguson. president of the Mutual
Towing Company, witnessed the accident from the
deck of the company's tug Timmns He says the
Washington blew one whistle, not two. and that he
supposed she meant to cross the yachts bows, as
that signal indicated.
The Nourmahal dropped anchor off West Thirty
fourth-st at $50 O'Clock last night and her launches
were busy for some time in bringing the passen-
gers ashore. There were about hundred people
on board altogether and about half of these
manned there for the night No would say any
thing about the collision tell who was board
A RUMoR THAT THE YACHT WAS RACING.
visit to the yacht ELECTED no further informa
ton. First Officer johnson denied that Mr.. Astor
on board and refused to permit Captain Curtis
to be seen. to give account of the accident
The yachts bowsprit, broken short off. was lying
the deck aft.
man the pier who the Nourmaha
get under way declares that Mr.. Aston in
charge Of the yacht when she started, and as
long she could be seen. 1t also said that
she was racing with j: Pierpont Morgans steam
yacht Corsair when the collision took place.
Less than two weeks ago the Nourmahal
some rocks in the Hudson River, off New
Hamburg and had her hull badly damaged amid
ships She was locked at the Erie Basin in Brook
lyn and was repaired just in time to attend Mon
days race. While there she one of the chief
offenders in getting in the way Of the racing
yachts
Her former captain and second officer
dismissed in ronsequence OF the New-Hamburg
accident. and William II. Curtis formerly cap
tain of T. L. Parke's yacht Sultana, was put
in command.