New-York tribune., 1902-07-21
REIGN OFTERROR ON EXCURSION
CAPTAIN SIGNALS DISTRESS AND PUTS BACK WITHOUT
LANDLNG-DRUNKEN MEN IN ONE LONG RIOT.

Scenes of wild disorder prevailed on the
steamer Laura NJ Starn and the barge Wander
bilt. which left West Ninety-elghth-st at a. m.
yesterday with two thousand men, women and
children who went on the excursion of the T..
j. Murray Association to Raritan Beach, n. j.
All day there rioting and fighting. and
scores of persons were hurt. none seriously.
however. reign of terror prevailed from the
time the steamer and barge cast off their moor
ings until the captain of the Starin succeeded
in getting back to the pier, at 1870 p. m Twice
on the trip to Raritan Beach he hoisted the
union jack upside down, the distress signal, but
no help came and the drunken men continued
TO fight. terrorizing the women and children
who fled TO all parts of the steamer to escape
being thrown overheard Glasses and bottles
were flying through the air. and many men
staggered down the gangplank last night with
cut heads.
The captain of the steamer refused to land
the passenger when Raritan Beach was
reached. although numbers of the men, it was
said. threatened him if he did not make land
ing. He was obdurate, knowing only too we'll
what might happen if the rioters got ashore
He blew the whistle repeatedly there in
effort to attract the police, but no help arrived.
When the boats reached the pier here last
night there was hot Indignation. Men and
women, who had feared to utter a word of
protest on the trip, voiced their anger when they
found themselves once more on dry land. They
bitterly denounced the rioters and appealed 10
policemen Of the West One-hundredth-st. station
who were near the pier when the steamer and
barge in 10 take action. There were so
many men implicated in the disgraceful scenes.
however. that the police said they were power
less TO do anything The excitement and
fusion had subsided considerably by the time
the lines were made fast. as those who had
created the trouble during the trip were afraid
that any more demonstratio tons might lead to
wholesale arrests.
EARLY START OF THE TROUBLE.
When at a H. the Starin and barge. under
command Of Captain Savage left the pier. the
fair weather promised those on board day OF
enjoyment. Everything went smoothly until
the craft had cleared the pier and passed mo
the stream. While the band was playing an
overture a fight started among a crowd Of men
on the lower deck. which soon attracted scores
Of others who focked below to learn the cause
of the trouble. Sides were Immediately formed.
and hand to hand fights ensued, in which four
men were knocked unconscious. Beer glasses
and bottles were soon brought into play, ana
women and children narrowly escaped being Sc
verely injured by flying missiles. Several men
had the presence of mind to clear the lower deck
OF the women and children.
MANAGES To oUELL FIRST RIOT.
Deckhands rushed TO Captain Savage and told
him OF the riotng the lower deck. After
much work he managed to quen the first riot.
telling the members of the association that he
would put them ashore If the fighting did not
cease.
As the liquor began TO flow more freely the
lighting began again, this time with more
fierceness- \ number of men who had engaged
in a scufle a card game rushed 10 the
upper deck Of the Starin. followed by bowling
mob. They were in the midst OF group
of women and children and there they renewed
the fight, kicking and punching one another.
while several men made repeated efforts 10
throw their antagonists overheard
HE REFUSED To LAND.
When Captain Savage saw that there to
be continual disorder aboard the craft all day
sble and discharge the passengers. When his
intention became known. however. he Wis
tied by an angry mob who threatened to injure
nIm if he made the slightest attempt 10 deviate
from his course. Fearing for his personal safety
he deemed il wise to continue to Raritan Beach
He thought that possibly the men, account
of the and children aboard. would
change their conduct by the time the beach was
reached. Not the trip however. was
there any sign of the excitement subsiding. New
fights were continually brewing, and the riOtlng
became fercer
As n last resort Captain Savage hoisted the
jack signalling distress, and kept whistllng
thinking that somebody might be attracted and
send word to the police. The flag had not been
hosted more than few minutes when in
dignant body of men rushed to the wheelhouse
and demanded that he lower the distress signal.
He refused at first. but seeing the determination
of the men he thought il advisable to comply
with their wish. for time. at least Then they
demanded. when the grove reached. that
a landing be made. This Captain Savage stead