New-York tribune., 1896-02-02
4 WILD TUG IN THE HARBOR
THE ROBERT II. SAYRES REMARKABLE e
PERFORMANCE
AFTER CAREERING AROUND FOR WHILE AND
FRIGHTENING TIE CREWS OF SEVERAL
OTHER CRAFT SHE WAS CAPTURED
BY TIE TUG RrNYON.

BY THE TUG RUNYON
The tugboat Robert H. Sayre, having grown
weary of the monotony of pulling and hauling
tows all day, decided yesterday to do a little
specially act of its own in a manner heretofore
never attempted by any of its steaming. putting,
shreking confre-es. 1t wes heading up the
harbor early yesterday morning with its crew Of
six men, including Captain Joseph Slattery. when
II suddenly found itself directly In the path OF the
big steamboat Maryland. loaded with railroad
cars from Jersey City bound for Mott Haven
Conclusive proof OF the law of physics that no
two bodies occupy the same space at the same
time was again given, with the result that the
tugboats rail was badly crushed in and her
wheelhouse carried away SO unexpected was
the encounter that the tugboat keeled away over.
The water started rushing in and the frightened
crew. thinking their boat was sinking, made a
wild scramble for the deck Of the Maryland me
departure of the engineer from his post OF duty
was so hurried that he did not stop the engines
and when by a mighty effort the tugboat rightei
itself the deserting crew. safe on board the Mary
land beheld with bulging eyes their recent
charge darting UP the hErbor without soul on
board.
The collision occurred at a. m, and at thaf
hour there was little If any fog. The Statue
of Liberty loomed up distinctly In the carry
morning light. and straight for 1t rushed the
Robert II. Sayre. ben, on furnishing al the eH-
citement possible to the shippers OF the various
craft ploughng around in the immediate nelsh-
borhood. Having successfully driven the crews
OF TWO tugs to the verge Of nervous prostIdlloh
by nearly running them down. the tug sUu'h
the pier OF BedloWs Island SiantWlse, anu
was thrown on to another tack. and pIoceeded
to make beeline for the big snip lfoiyroou'
laden with case oil for China What would nave
happened to the Holyrood and her case OIL can
never be told tor the White star Line tus
Charles X. Runyor, Captain Kane, having
sighted the runaway. had started a hot pursuit
as had also several other tugs. and after snort
but fierce race succeeded in running alonss'ue
Of and fastening ropes to the butts OF the iubi-
tive. =,
Henry Hunter the second engineer OF the
Runyon. hastily jumped aboard and ruhnhs irns
into the engine room shut the throttle me
fleeing boat was brought TO "A standstIll JUST
three lengths from the Holyrood, upon whose
deck the crew giving all sorts OF aciohal llc
exhibitions while awaiting the fate when, 10
all appearances. was approaching iHrI n
fore the other pursuing tugs could catch up. IN"
CAPTAIN Of the Runyon. with his weather eye
for salvage put on all steam and hustled back
landing his capture at Pier No. J, North River
The Robert II. Sayre belongs TO the New YORK
IIghterage and Transportation Company. No
one was injured in the accident and the Mary
land escaped with only few scratches. ON
landing the crew Of the Sayre reported at once
to the office iii the Produce Exchange When
the peculiar incident was explained to Supeflh-
tendent Elder ne at once set out 10 ma his
runaway and when the boat had been located
and the exact damage asCertained the tug was
taken to Cranes drydock for repairs.