New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-06
SUBWAY FIGHTS FLOOD
AND WINS A VICTORY
Early Morning Trains Tied Up
Between 42d and 5Oth
Streets for Hour or So.
IN WATER TWO FEET DEEP
Transportation Tangle Soon
Strengthened 0ut-Hedley Says
Sewers at Times Square
Station Caused Trouble.

Throughout the entire day yesterday
active work was being carried on in all
sections of greater New York to correct
the havoc Of the rain deluge and hurrl-
cane of the night before. With the sub
way crippled in the early rush hours, the
congestion on the other routes oil travei
snarled up the running schedules so that
It was well into the morning before traihc
conditions became normal. The subway
officials fought the food with pumps ana
won a complete victory.
Fifty fire chiefs from other cities VINO
were on subway express that was
stalled at Columbus Circle had an eXcep-
tional opportunity TO see the conditions OF
traffic tie-up in the metropolis. MANY
Of them were in uniform. and their pres
ence had quoting effect on the cro"d.
The calm demeanor Of the blue-coated
men inspired with courage the women
who hestated to leave the train. They
lent a hand i'm helping the women over
the third rail and up to the station plat
forms.
The food caused the greatest delay in
the history OF the subway. Two feet OF
water covered the tracks between Times
Square and 50th street Frank Hedley'
vice-president and general manager OF 'he
lnterborough, yesterday said
THE rain was unprecedented and three
inches fell inside of two hours. The ran
was so great that the sewers were over
taxed, and at Times Square the water
flowed over the pavements and down INTO
the subway through the kiosk entrances.
This could not be prevented. and soon the
tracks were flooded, and finally, at l-'oi
o'clock. power had to be shut OF. wheh
there were three feet of water in the SUD
way at Times Square.
THE pumps at 18th street worked nor
mally, but they were unable TO overcome
the flow Then the pump car. which mas
an enormous capacity, was taken 10
Times SQUARE and lines Of hose were
placed and thousands OF gallons were
pumped out OF the subway every minute
The water was deepest at Times Square
Traffic was continued above that point,
and il was not until 7:l5 this morning
that the power was turned on again
Shortly after the power was cut of one
OF the trains was stalled in the darkness
near 72d street There were few passen-
GERS on board. When we learned Of their
plight the power was turned on again and
thew were put of at the nearest station.
THE damage was very slight. the worst
having been the interruption Of traffic A
few wires we're burned out, but that was
about the worst"
Superintendent Merritt, with gang OF
three hundred men. worked the big cleo
trio pumps until the water between IlmeS
Square and 5Oth street was lowered sum-
GENTLY TO permit OF the resumption OF SER
vice and al $50 the first southbound eX-
press was released at the 96th street sta
ticn.
At $50 officials of the Interborough an
nounced that the line was cleared ana
that the express trains were making their
regular schedules
The greatest crowd that collected at any
one point during the morning rush hours
vas at the Atlantic avenue terminal. IN
BROOKLYN, between and S o'clock. 1t was
estimated that 10000 persons entered the
subway there in that hour.
Transportation was paralyzed IN Inc
Bronx in the rush hour. The main point
OF congestion was at the transfer point
of the elevated and subway lines, at li9th
street and Third avenue.