New-York tribune., 1902-08-08
PASSENGERS IN A PANIC.
THE PATTEN LINE STEAMER LITTLE
SILVER DISABLED OFF SANDY HOOK.

The breaking of a pivot in the iron Walking
beam of the Patten- Line steamer Little SILVER
yesterday and the resulting shock anu 'oi'
caused panic among the two hundfeo paSSe
eers For few moments there was the VIII
est confusion. The frantic passengers rusheu
abo,.t the decks enveloped in clouds of escap-
ing steam; a few seized life preservers but the
majority gave way TO a reasoniess pahic.
women tainted. children were pushed right and
left in the scramble. in which brute strength
was the only factor Not until Captain Rob
erts had sent the crew into the crowd and the
escaping steam had been stopped was Sem
blauce of order restored. Then il was discoV-
cred that. despite the accident and the panic.
not a single person had been injured.
The accident happened while the Little Silver.
which left Long Branch at 1:10 a. m, was
moving along the shore OF Sandy Hook. sud
denly without warning, the break occurred
and the huge beam, weighing about ION.
crashed down upon the cylinder head, Smashing
IL and causing clouds Of steam TO ascend Al
the same time the boat slowed up and quivereo
from the shock Then the panic followed HAD
the break occurred the down stroke. II is
said that the mass of machinery would nave
crashed through the bottom Of the boat, ana
the steamer would have sunk at once
When comparative calm had been restored
boat anchored TO await assistance The Allan
tic Highlands steamer Sandy Hook offered AID.
which was refused and little later the tug
Crest went TO the disabled steamer and toWeo
her TO the Patten Line pier, at West Thlrteenlh-
ST. AT the pier large crowd had asseinpso
and anxiotisly awaited the coming of the boat.
1t took nearly half hour TO bring the Little
Silver alongside the pier. AS soon as the gang
way was lowered there was a wild rush for the
shore and the passengers were eagerly eh-
braced by their friends. All showed signs Of
their anxiety, and many Of the women were
still sobbing. The story Of the accident as told
by the passengers was thrilling. All agree In
praising the conduct of the officers and crew OF
the steamer.
I. Reiurnan. of No e93 Avenue A, said;
The crash iarred the boat from stem TO stern
and the WAY the steam Kissed and roared was
awful / fully expected TO see some OF the pas
sengers jump overheard ana In % racl saw q aT I'D y
that seemed ready to jump. The captain anu
crew behaved admirably L saw the oeCA-
hands helping women and children TO ADJUST tie
life preservers. and doing everything possipIe
70 caIm their fears The small boats We're also
brought into readiness in case they should pe
needed everyth being done In a very snoI'
time.
CAPTAIN Bart Edwards Of the Little Silver
said that the accident had been caused py tie
unforeseen breaking Of the centre pin OF the
walking beam, which had snapped off the GYM
der rod in its fall. 1t would take about month
TO repair the damage, the captain said.
In the engine room mass Of twisted INA
chinery could be seen. The heavy walking peaih
had broken in the middle when II struck the
cylinder head and across the top of the GYM
der plate was a large crack The connecuhg
rods on both sides were broken ana IL loohe
aS 20 q connnlete set OF new engines will have
TO be substituted -. Ill.,
This is the second accident the Patten line
has sustained this week On Tuesday afternoon,
While fhe Mary Patten was passing through the
Upper Bay the crosshead of her walking pedIii a
suddenly parted, and the vessel drlfted heip-
lesslv for two hours. Her passengers were
d fn. iIv taken off by the steamer Thomas Patten