New-York tribune., 1909-07-04
CROWDS LEFT BEHIND
STE4MBO4TS TOO FULL.
Almost q Riot at Battery When 1000
Ire Kept from Pdtten Liners

About two thousand persons who congregated
at the Battery Yesterday 10 board the steamboat
Mary Patten, bound for Long Branch. were greatly
incensed when prevented from cmbarking by two
customs inspectors. The steamboat already was
nearly loaded To caracity. and only few passen-
gers the inner side of the crowd managed to get
board
The crowd. which was hundred persons deep
became restless at the slow progress Of boarding,
and those on the fringe and also the late comers
crushed toward the centre. The pressure was too
great for the inspectors who were counting pas
sengers At the gangway. and they were forced to
close the gate, and order the Mary Patten to steam
away The inspectors sent word to the Barge Office
TO Deputy Surveyor Coneys In charge Of the men
inspecting the steamboats,, and Coneys with two
extra men +ook charge. Coneys had to fight his
wav through the crowd 10 the gangplank and his
coat was nearly torn from his back.
Coneys. realizing that he and four could
not handle the crowd. sent out for ten more in
spectors, and they arrived just in time prevent
a serious situation The Thomas Patten had
barely hove in sight off the Battery when the
crowd saw her. and general crush from all quar-
ters began Women screamed and shouted
Fathers fought to give air space to their children
Coreys shouted the crowd stop pushing
but il OF avail. The mob swayed slowly
from side 70 side and forward but it did not bulge
inch toward the rear. \ boatman ran for
police help but only one patrolman available
at the Battery Fearing riot and that some
serious accident would happen il the crush con
tnued Coneys and his inspectors slowly forced
the gates against the mob and refused permit
any one 10 board at that time.
The Thomas Patten is permitted by law to carry
l-550 passengers She was practically UP 10 the
limit when she arrived off the Battery. and when
the inspectors allowed few persons near the gate
10 enter there another crush that forced the
gates open snd those in the front ranks were
iamHled up against the gangplank. The Patten was
ordered 10 pull out, and the crowd, disguised and
angry, moved slowly away.
Deputy Surveyor Tierney in charge Of the
loading Of the boats running TO Sandy Hook. About
nine hundred persons assembled at the pier a.
Cedar street to board the boat leaving at las m
The boat was allowed 70 take her regular com
plenent. and when the gangplank was hauled in
about eight hundred persons were compelled 10 re
main on he pier. Surveyor C1arkson who has per
sc2aIly directed the steamboat inspection work dur
ing his seven years Of Office hand. and from
the deck of the Sandy Hook observed the taking
of passengers. The Surveyor remained on board
and went with the crowd to Asbu-v Park.
Throughout the various points Of embarkat1on
for excursion boats more than half the number OF
persons who assembled were left behind yesterday.
The steamboat Mary Powell, her way TO West
Point from zod street and North River. passed by
her stopping place At lc9th street, leaving on the
pier 3 crowd OF about six hundred persons. She
took on 1850 passengers at 42d street, and had per
mission 10 take OF forty persons, but fearing
a stampede at the gangplank II she stopped al
l2qth street the captain decided 70 60 up - West
Point forty persons short
Many OF the boats running TO Coney Island and
due 70 stop ~ Pier A for passengers omitted that
stop and left hundreds Of disappointed passengers