New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-07
THE NEWS OF BROOKLYN.
HOLD THE CITY RESPONSIBLE.
OWNERS OF COMFY ISLAND PROPERTY IN
JURED BY WAVES MAY
BRING SUIT.

II ia among tho probabilities that an action for
damages against the city will be begun by the
Brighton Beach Racing Association. The damages
will undoubtedly be placed at high figure. Inc
basis Of the action. should it be begun Will be the
damage done to the property of the association al
Brighton Beach by the washing away OF iand ny
the In the storms OF November
The damage was considerable. and the ocean
Hotel was moved back about two hunored anu
fifty feet to save It from the waves. the sea maoe
a clean sweep one end Of Sea Breeze-ave'' CUT
ting across 1, diagonally and wping part OF II OUT
together with other land Of the association me
property injured and partially destroyed IL bounded
by Sea Breeze-ave and East Fifth-st. and Is part
Of the Engeman estate. The hotel was moVeo over
toward the northwest where there seems 10 pe IeSS
danger of further damage from the ocean ne
bulkhead on the south side of Sea Breeze-ave winch
extended over to the Sedl Music PaVlioh was
washed away. ~
The ground Of action would be the citys fa,lure
TO protect the property. to take any measure s
toward safeguarding 1t from the ravages OF ocean
storms There number OF stocKhooers anu
directors OF the association who are an~lous ~
bring the action and the subject has been oeoa'eu
act,ve,v These stockholders and directors believe
that a good cause of action exists, ana tnat sun
against the city would result In the awarohe Vi
heavy damages They hold that the autnori'ies
were as much bound TO protect the properly on '"e
ocean front as in the interior OF the Guy anu -
IN view OF the danger at Brighton ana the sred'e
need for protection. their duty toward th1' pal
~ tho CITY was even greater than toward DINERS
William Engeman. one Of the principal directors :
was seen Yesterday at the Office OF the association "
the Jefferson Building He acknowledged tna t'e ~
was a strong sentiment in favor OF 'i hs,n "
action hut denied that any had yet been begun
'For nv part he said. 1T Is question III ~. ~, rs
whether the washing away OF the iahn ~ounu No.
NJ heneht 10 the association In the long run -. d w
ra.e 4, would give valuable ocean IRON! 10 u's
aesoc,ation There is division of sentiment iIions
tho members on that point. and there is no ueiiS
thar a number Of them anxious TO pr,he all ao''o
Are YOU opposed 10 the bringing OF an acuondi .,
NO replied Mr.. Engeman. Il am not opPos,.Ih
u hu neither am ] In favor OF H. Inc sunleyg' 'd -
not vet been passed upon by counsel ana un''i j.
! have no opinion TO express. H., .,,,s hara nro-
There is no doubt that the city couiu nav :.
,ected tho property If had chosen to DO So II
there? a., ,,r -, have con-
sufed number of engineers on this point ana tnta
are unanimous in the opinion that the CITY cou n
have prevented the destruction OF the ProPeIS w.
one could nave done But. AS you are dMas ia ~,
CITY did not have much money 10 spend hs !eai, a
nrobabl did not feel like engaging IN 'he e"Pe"'
business of fighting the ocean. ., a.,
The property washed away amounts 10 aDouu y.
acres and is valuable The Coney Island fal.roau
4, Is said will also begin proceedings aeailst w
city for falling 10 safeguard the properly aeanS 't
attacks Of the ocean II Is reported that me ram
viii bud It's track at Brighton on spies TOT ny,
| season large amount Of the railroad property
was destroyed by the waves