New-York tribune., 1901-12-14
DENSE Fog ENVELOPES CITY AND HARBOR.
FERRYBOAT RUNS ON REEF NEAR NORTH BROTHER ISLAND
PASSENGERS WILD WITH TERROR.
SURFACE BRIDGE AND ELEVATED TRAFFIC DELAYED.


panic yesterday. when the ferryboat College
point plying between East Ninety-ninth-st. and
College Point Long Island, struck a reef about
one hundred and fifty feet south of North
Brother Island. A heavy. dense fog hung over
tbe river and river craft at that hour were
making slow progress.
The College Point had left the slip at East
Ninetv-ninth-st. on her first trip under half
steam Skirting along the shore in a northerly
direction she made for the Open and soon was
enveloped in the fog. Several collisions were
narrowly averted in the trip across the river
hut the sound of the fog bells from the steam
ers and schooners warned them of impending
danger.
All went well until the ferryboat swerved
around the south shore Of North Brother Island.
The island family disoerned, but owing to
the density of the fog the distance from it could
not be judged we'll
suddenly there was a grating sound as the
College Point struck the reef This was fol-
lowed by a sudden stop, which threw the passen-
gers forward. Immediately there wild con-
fusion among the passengers They rushed
frantically in all directions darting through the
cabins and grabbing life preservers, which they
put around their waists.
Captain Haggertson, when he felt the jar as
the ferryboat struck on the reef, gave two bells
i
engine room at the time reversed the steam,
but as the paddlewheels revolved there was a
long grating sound of tiTnbers ripping. Then
il was apparent to Captain Haggertson that the
College Point was hard and fast the reef. ana
that to attempt TO back off would tear the hull
TO pieces.
The fire bell aboard the ferry yboat was sounded
and the deckhands rushed everywhere, trying TO
pacify the terrorstricken passengers They were
scranbling wildly to get to the roof Of the CABIN
while drivers of teams drew knives and began
to cut their horses loose from the harness
PASSENGERS RUSH TO LIFEBoATs.
The excitement was rife then but 1t was noth-
ing to be compared to that which held sway
when the fcrryboat listed to port and seemed
about to turn turtle. Wild cries that she was
sinking arose.
BEFORE the crew could prevent them. men
had rushed to the roof of the cabin and begun
n c,,t the lifeboats from the davits. With
srrreme effort Captain Haggertson persuaded
the panicstricken passengers to let the crew 90
that work. for if they had been allowed to cut
the f,oa+s loose they would have been lost.
In 2 few minutes it became evident that the
College Point was slowly sinking. The passen-
gers could feel her settling on the ree1, ana then
came threats Many Of the passengers rusheu
10 the guard rails and attempted 10 jump oNei
the side into the river Teamsters who hao cut
their teams loose annidships. led them out on the
forward and aft decks, intending to strike out
with them should the ferryboat be submerged.
The animals were mingled in with the men ana
women. and many passengers were almost seFl-
ously injured by being trampled on.
BOATS TAKE MEN AND WOMEN TO
SHORE.
Only a few minutes had elapsed When tie
frightened passengers demanded to be taken
off in the nfeboats The fog was still THICK ana
fl was dangerous to venture out on the river IN
a small boat But Captain Haggertson decloeo
to take chance, and the boats were lo"efeu
The passengers got into them, and they snoVeo
off for the Long Island shore The four boats
were loaded to the gunwales every trip pas
sengers demanding to be taken of first
All that time the fog bell on the College POINT
,ros ringing and the whistle blowing distress
signals. After a time the harbor police at the
sub-station were informed, and they came 70
TIE scene in launches and directed the Work OF
taking off the passengers. It was several houLo III >
before the last passenger was taken OIL ouI AO
accident occurred to them