New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-22
SAFE AFTER A BRIDGE JUMP.
WITH WEIGHTS ON HIS LEGS, THE
JUMPER WENT STRAIGHT DOWN
AND WAS PICKED Up APPAR-
EMILY SOUND.

William Gantz, twenty-five years old. who lives
somewhere in Brooklyn, jumped from the Brooklyn
Bridge at l:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon. and was
picked up by the Government tug Manhattan ap-
parcntly safe and sound. big throng saw the
Jump: not that they were waiting TO see 1t. but
happened TO be where they could see the whole
performance. The sinking OF the Oneida near the
New-York tower had attracted tho crowd. which
was made UP OF longshoremen roustabouts and
loungers.
A dark object came shooting downward just as
Roosevelt ferryboat was passing under the Bridge.
and some one who happened to look up shouted.
Man oyerboard' The crowd made rush for
tho end OF the pier ready to pull the man out. but
the Government tug was ahead Of them.
AS Gantz struck the water feet first. and dis
appeared from view the tug reached the spot whore
he sank. Not twenty seconds elapsed before his
head came UP above the surface A line was thrown
TO him. he caught II and was pulled to the tug.
Then two O. the crew leaned over and lifted him
on board
Gantz stood up and tried 10 walk. but the
weights. which were strapped TO his legs. impeded
his progress The men who lifted him out Of the
water placed their arms about him. he placed his
arms their shoulders. and then he walked into
the cabin. policeman the pier rushed TO
telephone and asked the Old Slip station police TO
apprehend the man who on the tug. which
proceeding on its way to the Battery.
The Jump most carefully planned. and had
been the topic OF al-absorbing interest among
coterie OF employees OF the Manufacturers and Pub
fishers Printing Company. in the Metropolitan
Realty Building in William-st where Gantz was
employed. Gantz and his manager. James Bergen.
were confident that the jump was 'cinch." and
10 prove his assertion Gantz volunteered to jump.
The day and time for the attempt being fixed Gantz
began elaborate preparations. He provided him
self with pair of blue jean overalls. which were
heavily padded. In the legs. and arranged so that
they could be strapped to Gantz. were placed two
heavy weights OF lead.
Accoutred in this manner Gantz went 10 the
Bridge from the shop about o'clock yesterday
afternoon. He walked along the footpath until he
reached "A point that seemed most desirable on the
centre span. Then he clambered over the trestle-
work that covers the cabe-road and down to the
roadway.
John Corrigan. "a riveter. who working the
treste- work, GantZ climbing down to the road
way. He called out 10 him 10 get back TO the
thoroughfare. but Gantz laughed AT him. Before
had climbed the outer rail- thrown off his hat,
coat and waisicoat, oosened tho laces attached
his shoes, thrown himself forward few feet and
dropped TO the water below.
CAN'T held his right hand straight up above his
head while the left was by his side. Straight down
he dropped the heavy weights accelerating his
speed. He did not vary one inch from the per-
pendicular during the few seconds he in the
air Clean as a whistle he cut the water and dis
appeared from view. and Corrigan. looking down,
saw dark object bob up and clutch the line that
was thrown from the tug.
Captain Mcconnell OF the Government tug said
that when he picked Gantz up the tumpc: COM
blamed Of nothing more serious than a singing
Sensation In both legs, which seemed be some
CAN'T below and rubbed him down with alcohol.
Al the Battery a policeman Was informed and
he summoned an ambulance from the Hudson Street
Hospital whittier Gantz was removed.