New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-16
RAYS WHICH CA USED TERROR.
vAssAR HOSPITAL PATIENTS SCARED BY
RIVER sEARcHLIGHTs
prrr rur CRIMINAL, INSANE AT MArrEAwAN LIKE
TIE NrGHT-PrERCTNG BEAMs-rHE LIGHTS
NILES

BUT THE CRIMINAL INSANE AT MATrEAwAN LIKE
TIE NrGHr-PrERCTNG REAMs-rHE LIGHTS
SEEN FOR MANY MILES.
Poughkeepsie. ~ Y. July IS (spcciaD-The
searchlights used by the steamers on the HUDSON
River not only furnish a great deal OF amusement
for people who live along the shores but are also
a source OF annoyance to many OF the Pilots or
steamboats, not equipped with similar lights. The
steamers which are fitted with these powerful
lights are the Adirondack. the Saratoga. the Dean
Richmond and the City OF Troy. Every nisht.
whether clear foggy. the long, brilliant rays or
the lights can be half an hour before the
boats themselves arrive. The searchhsht on the
steamer Adirondack is the most powerful OF any
on the river and the pilots complaining OF the
manner in which It Is operated.
The searchlight was supposed to be used on dark
and foggy nights. but this custom has ded 'out
entirely, as II Is used bright moonlight nights as
we'll There are several instances where the brill
liant light has been flashed across the bows or the
pouphkeeps,e propellers and It was several minutes
before the pilots could regain their normal sight
II is a common occurrence for people to go along
the river banks at night and walt for the arrivai
of the Adirondack Sometimes they take red nre
or Roman candles with them. and when the DIE
steamer puts in her appearance the display OF
n,ro,echnics "a always saluted with flash Of the
big light
On q dark night the intense brilliancy OF the
rays can be seen several miles In the interior o.
the country It not lopg ago that plcycie
rider was riding along one OF the roads nVe m''es
hack from the river and, looking of toward large
hill saw white light playing along the horizon.
He got frightened and rode away at great speed
The faster he rode the more fantastic the Hs' so'
until finally the white ray struck him square IN the
back Then he realized that It was searchish'
OF one OF the big steamers.
The person who operates the light seems to enjoy
for the Criminal Insane. Vassar Hospital In this
city and also the Hudson River state Hospital.
The fash OF light through the windows OF |assar
HOSPITAL creates great alarm at times put al Mat
teawan the patients seem to enjoy It, Ut Guy
c. Bayley, superintendent OF |assar roSpi'a'' Sdi'
TO the Tribune reporter
The searchight of the Adirondack is nuisance
TO the hospital household and source or grave ave
alarm TO the patients. There are no oIinds on the
hospital building only linen shades at the win;
dows and the powerful light striking sne $780, EYES o,
io:So S and IL o'clock. awakens them in fright In
the fear that the building Is on fire Ihe patlehds
w Mno "Ino moment what it is. but those who are
awakened by its binding glare TOR me m frst rme rih
igbf can only be excused on the plea OF thought
iessness but thoughtless cruelty is criminal aiter
H. E. Allison medical al ,s Ofsns of tne
IVA sh ssatf IN AsyiSe ydereDt mood and says
Since the Adirondack first began casting her her
the Hudson her coming has been source OF inter-
eat oct and amusement TO a great number OF patients
conened in our Institution. The Matteawan Asy-
INN has an unusually commanding view or the
Hudson a large boat being visible for q distance
~ about fifteen miles. From the north the river
seems TO come out OF gap In the Catskills' ana
after making q semi-crce OF nfteen mics pas!
Tow Point Fishkill l-on- the Hudson. Newburg ana
Cornwall disappears in the gorge between storm
King and Sugar Loaf Mountain. The searchhRhts
can be seen shooting up to the SKY over the Tops
OF the Fishki Mountains sometimes Tor nail an
~ Iorr before the vessel reaches the Storm King
gorge and as the distance In which the boat iseir
can be seen is traversed In much iess man an an
hour we have an unusually fine view OF the hght
and ts caDrces. ,..... -. ,.oar
"i-rom the first week Of their advent last year
nm 10 The present time. interest In the Adironuack
and her sister searchlght boats has abated OUT niue
among our patients here. Life IN n hospital or III
any institution where confinement is compulsory
mnst necessarily be OF monotonous character,
and the night boats have AFFORDED us pleasaht
evening's advertisement. They usually compliment
us with several friendly shoots OF the llght as
they pas which far from disturbing our patients,
emuse and interest them The point from wnich
The boats usually throw their lights upon US Is to
the north and about four mile distant Reading
newspaper by the light Is a nightly occurrence.
.e fnr nroducing mental excitement or fear. there
nav. been no complaints whatever. either from th.
natients themselves the physicians In charke OF
them While the light may be oo)ectlonaD!e from
the pllot's point OF View. We IN tnis INSTITUTION
cannot but feel that would be losing a peasant
form OF diversion II II we're banished from the
sunerintepdent Charles W. Pilgrim Of the Hud-
son River State Hospital says the searchnght mas
little effect on the patients Of that institution