New-York tribune., 1906-06-18
STEAMER GOES ASHORE.
PASSENGERS IN PANIC.
Er-Mayor Hinchcife Quiets Fears
ALL Safe at Midland Beach.

The excursion boat William W. Storie which
runs from the Battery to Midland Beach, went
ashore in the fog last evening off the Cedars.
half mile north of the Midland Beach Pier
The passengers We're later taken off in small
boats and by II O'Clock all We're safely ashore
There was panic on board at first, but the pas
sengers We're soon quieted Ex-Mayor John H
Hinchcliffe, of Paterson, who owns the boat and
Midland Beach was on board and when the
steamer struck he the first TO try 10 calm
the frightened crowd.
When the boat passed Fort Wadsworth the
fog became so thick that Captain Hefferman or
dred one bell speed. and the boat simply crawled
down past South Beach and on toward Midland
pier The route TO Midland Beach leaves the main
channel route off tho fort and follows narrow
one down past SWinburne and Hoffman islands
This channel is not much used except by fishing
and oyster boats. 1t IS unmarked, and night the
only guide is light the perhead at Midland.
Last night, on all foggy occasions q bell on
the pier end is rung. The boat was heading into
the sound last night, but the wind from the east
ward and a strong that was running carried
her shoreward faster than the captain allowed
for. She went out Of the channel, and without
any warning touch grounded hard, with shock
that almost upset those who were standing
On board at the time five hundred
persons, largely men, women and children from
New Jersey towns. There was an instant panic
Many rushed for the rails, and only the -coolness
of others prevented them from leaping over
board. All the rest rushed for life preservers
which were pulled down from the ceilings and
from under seats.
Mr. HinChCliffe called out that every one must
sit down and keep quiet and away from the
rails. The crew and Captain Hefferman fol-
lowed his example, and after couple of min
utes Of panic the excursiOnists quieted al
though still frightened The captain and Mr.
Hinchcliffe went about assuring them there was
absolutely no danger and that all would be
safely landed Then, to calm the more excited
the crew was directed TO adjust life preservers
on all who wished. Almost all availed them
selves of the preservers, and many landed with
them still The passengers were then as
sembled upon the upper deck and told by the
captain that they would not be detained longer
than was needful The men demanded that they
be put into boats and landed. This the cap
tain, after a consultation with the owner de-
cided not to attempt at once 1t was feared
that when the first boat was lowered there
would be renewal OF the panic, that every
one would try to get in, and that she would be
swamped and lives lost.
The mate and two got into the boat and
rowed toward the pier a half mile away. The
way and the heavy William H. Leonard
Mr. Hnchcliffes representative. was on the pier
anxiously awaiting the Storie. He manned
powerful steam launch which towed two yawls
and the mates boat back to the Storie.
After the tide had been running food for
hour or so it was decided to try trip directly
inshore This involved crossing eight nine
bars and risking trouble in the breakers. The
trip was made successfully. and the landing
made directly on the north end of Midland
Beach.
The wet and chilled passengers were taken to
hotels and later all started for Manhattan.
The Store will probably float at full food
early this morning
The grounding of the boat is laid to mistake
on the part of the lookout. In leaving the regu-
lar channel for the between Staten and
Hoffman islands a bell buoy should be left TO
port Instead it is supposed to have been left
sta