New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-09
PIER WRECK DUE TO LIGHTNING.
DOCK BOARDS CHIEF ENGINEER EXONER-
ATES THE CONTRACTORS

Chief Engineer J. A. Bensc Of the Department, OF
Docks and Ferries made an investigation yesterday
INTO the cause of the wreck Wednesday ~ the
pier shed Of the new Wilson Line per. in the North
River. at Bethune-st He finds that the accident
was unavoidable. and was caused by stroke ~
lightning and the high winds Engineer Bensel Wis
tied the scene Of the accident and made careful
survey Of the wreck He also took the testimony OF
the workmeh who the pier al the time OF
the collapse.
just north 81 the Wilson Line pier there is an
other pier which iron shed is being erected
This pier Is in the state Of completion as the
Wilson Lines pier was when the collapse came
This pier. though only 40 feet long not injured
The Wilson pier 125 feet in width and from
this comparison Engineer Bensel deduced that the
accident was most entirely due 10 the stroke -
lightning. The report will be presented to the Dock
Board al Its next meeting The pier Is owned by
the city and leased TO the Wilson Line. The acci-
dent vii not result in loss to the city
The plans for tho building % the she'd which was
contracted for by the Wilson Line. approved
by the Dock Board. Engineer Bense found that
the contractors, r. i. & J. H. Stats, had followes
specifications In their work. and that tho part or
the pier that had been erected was well made and
we'll riveted and holted The shed. when completed
was to have cost $4,000, and the damage done viii
amount almost 10 $4,000 The loss Will fall on the
contractors
J. n. stats Of the firm Of r T. & J. II. stats
dock builders. Of No. % Broadway. who are con-
struciirg the pier for tho Wilson Steamship Com
pany, by a Tribune reporter yesterday
with reference TO the accident Mr.. Stats said thar
ne had made a careful examination OF the wreck Of
the supersrucure. and 1t bore every appearance Of
having been struck by lightning before the wind
blew 1t down. He that his firm and the
foreman were entirely hlameless.
1t is the first accident that have had for
twelve years" ADDED Mr.. stats. and We have built
g per cent of the piers on tle North River front
SeN oral of the told me this morning tnat they
saw just before the collapse occurred bail OF NJ"
strike the structure The examination that made
this morning bears this statement out Some OF the
irOnWOrk WAS fused as though by fire. which couli
only have been done by lightning. II must be re-
memhercd that there were about ono and a half
million pounds Of steel IN the structure. which would
have enormous attractive power for any bolt OF
lightning
the pier showed abiect cowardcc, refusing
to rescue their fellow workmcn and being absolutely
proved by the fact voucrei FOR by many who were
present. that the men VINO were not hurt, "a soon
as they realized wfat had occurred. cid all In
their power t. rescue those who had been kno 'ked
into the water or were buried beneath the debris.
OF coWse," said Mr.. Stats many OF the men
were helpless for few moments. You or would
probably act In the same manner II We We're In a
similar accident. But as soon as the first shock
was over many Of them put ont in boats. as the
newspapers reported. and succeeded I'm saving all
those who were in the river. We have no Italians
Swedes and neither nationality has a reputation for
cowardice"
Nj stats said that about 40 per cent OF the sruct
ure mad been built when the accident occurred. The
men had been at work upon II for about six weeks
but II would take double that time TO remove all
stroyed.
A, the office Of the Department OF buildings It
relative to the pier disaster by that Department he
cause under an act passed several years ago the
buildings Department Wa deprived OF all control or
alton piers.