The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-16
RAMM[D AND SENT
TO THE RIVERS BED
The Mortified Sunk by the
Mauch Chunk.
MANY PEOPLE ON BOARD
Scores Leap Into the River. Loss of
Life Unknown.
MANY PEOPLE ON BOARD
NO DEAD BODIES RECOVERED AS YET
In The Wild Excitement Following The Collision
no RELIABLE Statement as to The Num-
Der Lost is 0b'sinabIe. Tugs
Save Many Lives.
tBy the Associated Prcss.>


New York, June 1.-THE wooden side +.
wheeler, Northfeld, which has been in the
service of the Staten Island Ferry Com
pany for the rast 3S years, was rammed
tonight by the steelhulled propeller
Mauch Chunk, used as a ferryboat by the
Central Railroad of New Jersey. The
collision occurred just off the Staten
Island Ferry slip at the foot Of White
hall street, ard in less than ten minutes
afterwards, the Northfeld. which was
crowded with passengers, sank at the
outer end of the Spanish line pier in the
East river. The Mauch Chunk. which
was badly damaged landed The two dozen
passengers who were aboard her. Over
hundred of the passengers Of The sun
ken Northfield were dragged out of the
water by people along shore. and the
crews of the fleet of river tugs which
promptly responded to the ferryboat's
call for help.
A few of the Northlleld's passengers
were hurt in the accident, and the police
believe that some lives were lost Cap
tain Daniel Gulley of tile tugboat Mu-
tual, who saw the ferryboats crash to-
gether, says that Immediately after the
collision between 20 aud 80 of the pas
sengcrs feared into the water, and that
many CT these persisted. Captain Gulley
also declares tina. he is sure over a hum
drel of the Nortlleid's passengers were
drowned. The captains of other tugboats,
who were early on the scene, however, are
inclined to think that the disaster was
not so serious in regard to loss of life.
Thus far no dead bodies have been re-
covered.
The reason Err such q difference of opin-
ion as to the extent of the disaster is
that ;ho widest excitement prevailed on
the Northfield The tug Mutual saved in
all about IS persons from the Mortified,
ami the tugs Unity and Arrow saved be-
r tween them 80 persons.
Two policemen of the Old Slip station.
claim to have rescued nearly thirty peo-
pie between them. AS sooa as the crowd
which had followed the sinking ferryboat
along the river front were able to render
any aid they worked with a will, and IN
many instances sprang into the water to
dercd by the tugboats which, as soon as
it was possible circled around the North
field and made q bridge to the Spanish
line pier. and men and women clambered
On the tugs and to tho shore
The swift running flood tide md the
questionN.of which boat has the right Of
way was the cause Of the disaster Cap
tain Abraham johnson, was in charge of
the Mortified and Captain S. c. Griffin
was in command of the Mauch Chunk.
Each lays the blame of the collision on
the other
Tho Northfeld, with a lead of passen-
gers, varously estimated at between
500 and / 200, at col p, IN, started out OF
the West Slip at Whitehall street for
st. George. Staten Island and at 5:53 p.
m. the Mauch Chunk left the railroad
slip az Communipaw for Whitehall street.
The latter craft was abreast of the
barge office at the battery when the
Mortified came out of the slip. An ex-
change of whistles between the boats was
followed by the crash, Captain Griffin