New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-31
DEATZ BLOCKED TRAFFIC
HELD BACK TROLLEY CARS WITH THE
BOwsPRIT OF HIS SCHOONER.

WANTED THE DRAwBRIDGE OVER THE HARLEM
At TnIRD-AvE. OPENED FOR HIM DURING
COMMISSION HOURS AND MADE TRoU-
BI.E WHEN 1T WAS NOT.
Traffic on the temporary drawbridge across the
xrarlen, River at Third-ave. was blocked for some
time Yesterday morning by the jbboom of the three
,nas,ed schooner Ella Pressey. of Thomaston. ~ j.
=, tow of the tug Seth Chapman. of the John DAY.
rowing Line commanded by Captain Deatz. This
neculiar situation was due to the action OF captain
neatz. when his signal for opening the draw was
dsrecaraed and 4, is thought. marked the out
hreak OF a stubborn contest between the bridge
authorities and boatmen which has been pending
,or nearly two years. II may result in heavy
claims for damages. which The tugooat captains
.ov they have suffered through the action OF the
bride authorities in keeping the draw closed our
ing what they call commission hours
The construction OF the new Third-aVe u'""
,,,r. ,s covered BY the rules OF the Dock Depart
,na,t which allows what II calls commission hours
from to 10 a. m. and to Z p. m, during "N
no boats are allowed TO pass through the ara" ~
con, boats and tows employed in the cons'ruc''o"
&, the Speedway. 1t during the morning '''"
,,ss,op period that the trouble occurred
The tug and her tow came down the river a.
o'clock and when no attention was pad 70 ,ne
"araw signal" Captain DEATH ran slowly up ~ ','o
bridge on the west side until the schoone' ~
boom extended the south end o. inc u""
The hObstay INSTRUCTED the ioot"as ""N $50
~ the boom prevented the passing OF cars Oh inc
south track. ,,u.,o
Superintendent William Reeves, OF the p'''s
construction; Mr. Kerrigan. of the trolley line, anu
,~o pocemen went on the bridge ana o'u.r r,
c,n-afu peatz TO back off TO allow passage my
con,en refused 10 move. saying that the eue,
i4T which governs all waterways gave MN INC
right 10 pass , a,d uben 4, was
Going on twenty-five crowded troley-cars VIZ
fio~ke5 on the north side OF the bridge: ana man!
enrr, people were walking across the Draw. ~.
u,; he tide was falling. and as Captain Dealz
,cs,ed against the railing of the bridge; ne caused
~ schooner TO be moved back until only Tour leet
- .be hoom oyerhung the bridge.
Nr Reeves and the policemen ordered DeaN 10
,oove the schooner back further, but ne reiuseu.
TIVE blockade was relieved. however by Inc chanse
a. The schooners position. and in hiteeh minutes
NJ Reeves boarded the tug and demanded OF
Csrtatn Dea,z that he swing aside to give the draw
1orking room. The captain replied that the tue
vas me only power to which he would DOW, ana
smoked his pipe In open defiance. Inc captain OF
me schooner said he helpless. and retired TO
fis cabin refusing to say anything
A. $50 o'clock relief came with the tug Joseph
cn,,iss and a string of barges laden with ater.a
Tor the speedway. The bridge tender had no
a,ternative but to open. and did SO Captain
Ipeatz was equal to the emergency and as the draw
swung open ne put steam and forged ahead
rorcirg the Curtiss and her tow aside 10 avoid a
collision As the stern OF the schooner cleared the
Ride the tug gave a triumphant toot and blew for
the Second ave. bridge, which opened promptly.