New-York tribune., 1908-08-03
FERRY BRIDGE FALLS
POLICEMAN RESCUES SIX.
Fortu Persons Pulled Out OF Water
at Rockazoay Point.

uoa II NOT been for the bravery and great
presence of mind displayed by Edward T. Law
ler patroIman of the Sth Inspection Dlstrict'
no less than twenty persons would nave oeeh
drowned yesterday when the ferry briose at
Rockaway Point broke with a great crasii'
hurting at least forty persons into IL rect oA
water He rescued six persons himself, and his
coolness and activity spurred others to acts OF
bravery which resulted in no lives being lost
The accident happened at 44O p m. just as
the ferrvboat Belle Harbor was landing her
passengers taken at Sheepshead Bay ABOUT
125 persons had landed from the boat ana
there was wild rush up the bridge TO heio
Hotel which is on the shore end without
warning there came crashing of timbers ana
those who had got to the hotel were horrlned
to hear piercing screams and turning aTouh"
see a mass OF helpless men, women ana chiiui oii
struseIin. in the water Several women at the
shore end of the bridge tainted and many oI
the men who were safe on land lost their heads
and were absolutely useless in assisting in res
cring the unfortunate women In the water
JawIer who is on his vacation, happened TO
he one of the spectators the pier. second
after the bridge broke he flung his coat ana
hat to a standing near him ana JuIhPeo
into the struggling crowd in the water HIS
act inspired others the unbroken section OF
the bridge to- do something in the way OF res
cue and within three minutes there were Will
ing hands to help him. Many of those who fell
from the bridge hung to the shattered sectlon'
and those who were hurled beyond the timbers
were promptly dragged to a place of safety by
Lawer
The first person to receive his attention was
Mrs J. Carroll of No. 1892 Atlantic avenue,
Brooklyn She had in her arms when the
bridge broke her infant. Evelyn, one year old
Mrs Carroll struggled to keep the child's head
above water, but she was completely exhausted
when Lawler grabbed the baby A few swift
strokes took him to the edge of the bridge, and
willing hands reached down for the child. Law
Ter then swan back for the mother, and soon
assisted her up the timbers to the crowd
the bridge.
Lawler was greatly exhausted, but kept at
his work of rescue until he assisted to safety
every one who went overheard. Charles j.
Smith. of No. As Broadway, Manhattan, who
helped Lawler, found that he could do better
work by getting into the water himself, so he
Jumped in after Mrs. Carroll's baby was res
Cued.
Many of those who were thrown into the
water hung to the spiIes and were dragged up
to the bridge. Others hung to ropes that were
thrown over to them by the unbroken
section of the bridge. Six persons were greatly
exhausted after they were rescued and call
for an ambulance was sent to st. Joseph 5
Hospital.
When 1T arrived. however. the surgeon found
that no one needed medical attention Many
who were thrown into the water sought shelter
at the hotel without giving their names to Gus
toms INSPECTOR Barry who was the Belle
Harbor to see that she did not carry more
passengers than the law allows. Among those
rescued were Mr.. and Mrs. j. Hayes. OF NO Io'
Keap street. Brooklyn. and Mildred Il. Slnlth
and Charles J. Smith, of No 35 Cornelia street,
BROOKLYN The Belle Harbor is owned by the
sheepshead Bay and Rockaway Company ana
mos q, command of Cantafn George Weston.