The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-06-19
FERRY BOAT SINKS
With One Thusanos Psople On
3oard of Her.
SEVERAL LIVES WERE LOST.

Many Boats Rushed to the Res
cue and Say d Hun
dreds Of Livts. How
it Hsppanod.
The wooden side wheeler North6eld
which has been in the service Of the
Staten Island Ferry company plying
between New York and Jersey City
for the past 38 years, was rammed FIJI
day night by the steel hulled propeller
Mauchchunk, used as ferry boat BY
the Central railroad Of New Jersey.
The collision occurred just off the
Staten Island ferry slip st the foot Of
Whitehall street and in less than ten
minutes sitter the Northield, which
was crowded with passengers, sank at
the outer end Of the Spanish Line pier
ia the East river. The Msuchchunk,
which was badly damaged, landed the
two dozen passengers who where aboard
Of her. Over hundred Of the passen-
gers Of the sunken Mortified were
dragged out of the water by people
along shore and Crews Of the feet Of
river tugs Whi ,h promptly responded to
the ferry boats call for help. A few
Of the Northfeld's passengers were hurt
| 10 the ,eident and the police believe
that sone lives were lost. Capt. Dam
| iel Gully OF the tugboat Mutual, who
saw the ferry boats crash together,
says that Immediately after the col
lislon between 25 and 80 Of the pas
sengers leaped into the water and that
many of those perished. Capt. Gully
also declares that he is sure over hum
dred Of the Norsh6eld's passengers we're
drowned. The captains Of other tug
boats who we're early on the scene,
however, are inclined to think that the
disaster vas not so serious as regards
loss of life. Thus far no dead bodies
have been recovered.
The reason for such difference OF
opinion as to the extent Of the disaster
is that the widest excitement prevailed
on the Norsh6eld. The tug Mutual
saved in all about Is persons from the
Northisld and the tugs Unity and
Arrow saved between them 100 per-
| sons. Two policemen Of the Old Slip
citation claim to have rescued nearly 81
people between them. As sooa as the
crowd which had followed the sinking
ferr9bos along the river front were
able to render any aid they worked with
will and in many instances men
sprang into the water to save life.s The
greatest service was rendered By the
tugboats, which as soon as it was pos
sible circled around the Mortified and
made bridge to the Spanish line pier
and men and women clambored over
the tugs to the shore. The swift run
ming food tide and the question Of
which boat has the right Of way was
the cause Of the disaster. Capt. Aora-
ham johnson vas in charge of the
Ncrthfeld and Capt. S. U. Glmn was
in command Of the Msuchchunk. Each
lays the blame for the collision on the
other.
The North6eld, With a load Of pas
sengers, varlousIy estimated at be-
tween 500 and 1000 at SOL p. N.
started out of the west slip at White
hail street for St. George, Staten
Island, and at 5.53 p. N. the Mauch-
chunk Left the railroad slip at Commu-
nlpaW for Whitehall street. The later
craft was abreast OF the barge Office at
the Battery when the Noruhieid came
out Of the slip. An exchange Of
whistles between the boats was follow
ed by the crash. Capt. Griffin appar-
emily believed that the Staten Island
ferryboat would be halted until he had
worked his boat into the upper slip, and
on the other hand Capt. johnson sup
posed that he would be allowed to cross
the Maunchchunk's bows. When the
accident appeared inevitable the speed
of the Commanipaw ferryboat was re-
duceded as much as possible under the
circumstances, but borne along by the
swift running food tide, hesd.on, the
Mauchchunk struck the NorihieId on
the starboard side at the hood Of the
forward ladies' cabin on the main deck.
The blow was terrific one and the
forcs of it wrecked the steering gear at
the forward end Of the Mauch-
chunk, to up about 10 feet Of the main
deck, wrecked the deckhouse on the
port side and broke through the deck
rail and threw down the stanchions On
the forward part Of the Central railroad
boat.
As the humping Of ferryboats is not
unusual in this harbor the passengers
on the Northield did not for a minute
or 30 realize the seriousness Of the col
lision. When, however, two iremen
ran upon deck to save themselves from
the inflow Of water and the Northfeld
was being driven full speed up the Est
river instead of down towards Staten
Island and all the time schreeching for
help they knew that something serious
had happened. Then commenced the
panic which continued until the North
field went down. At no time was the
Mortified more than 500 feet out in the
river beyond the bulkhead line but the
tide was running with the velocity Of q
mill race and had the vessel sunk out
in the stream only the tugs would have
been able to give assistance.
Seriously Bitten by a Shad.
William Duncan, aged rs years, Q