New-York tribune., 1922-08-02
Two Inquiries
Are Under w ay
In River Crash
private Investigation and
Federal Probe Started to
Fix the Responsibility;
Sixteen Persons Injured
Both SkippersDe DenyBlame
Captains of Grand Republic
and Caautauqua Each Say
They Had Right of Way

p.,ncnsibility for the collision be-
tween the wooden excursion steamer
c.asd Republic and the Erie Railroads
ta,Yy boat Chautauqua is in dispute
nendiug Investigations to be made by
.ss companies concerned and by the
rtderal authorities. Both captains
claim the right of way.
Nearly 1000 persons were on the two
heats when they came together with
! crash yesterday morning in the Hud-
son of Chambers Street. The weather
va. hazy. The Grand Republic was
carrying besides her crew 1881 passen-
vprs. who were headed for Bear Noun
.a;u There were 400 passengers on
the ferry. which was heading for her
slip.
Prompt action by the officers and
crews Of both vessels averted q panic
among the hundreds of women and chill
Aren who were on the Grand Repub-
lies decks. Many passengers on board
the Grand Republic were hurt, and two
Of them were taken to the Volunteer
hospital for treatment. Two women
Who fell or jumped into the river were
rescued by longshoremen. Sixteen per-
sons were hurt, but none was gravely
injured.
Both Vessels Damaged
ut .x;o
the Grand Republic, but the damage
was done above the water line. A hole
thirty feet long was made in the side
Of the ferry, which was able to reach
her slip after delay.
The Grand Republic left the Battery
on her daily trip to Bear Mountain
shortly after 0 o'clock. Among her
passengers were several camping par
ties and a troop of Boy Scouts. The
boat headed up the river.
The Chautauqua was making a trip
from Jersey, when she crossed the
Grand Republics course. Passengers
on both boats saw that a collision was
Inevitable. Signals were exchanged
and, according to her passengers, the
Grand Republics engines were re.
versed, but her way was sufficient to
carry her against the side of the ferry
The rail of the ferry was splintered
and the shock threw chairs and loose
fittings about the decks of the Grand
Republic, burying some of her passen-
gers in the debris. The band on the
excursion steamer struck up jazz tune
and the deckhands, aided by members
Of the Scout troop, went among the
passengers distributing live preservers
and reassuring panic-stricken ones.
Small Craft Aid Rescue
Dozens of boats put out to the scene
at once. among them the police boat
Manhattan and police launch No. 2,
soon as it became apparent that there
was no immediate danger of the Grand
Republic sinking she was headed for
Pier II, where her passengers disem-
barked. AS many as cared to continue
the trip were taken up the river by
the 0nteora, which was sent out for
the purpose. Many preferred to GO
home.
Lena Arrato, sixteen years old, of
s32 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, was
thrown from the upper deck of the
Grand Republic into the river by the
force of the collision. William Patten
Of 266 Hudson Street, jumped from the
deck of nearby lighter and held the
girl up until she was taken out by
Samuel Krimsky, who took the motor
boat Helen F. to the spot for rescue
work. Julia Sewanowsky, seventeen
years old, of 597 Third Avenue, Brook
lyn, fell from the Grand Republic at
the moment of the collision and was
taken out by Clifford Vreeland, twen-
ty-two, deckhand on the Chautauoua,
'sreeiand put the unconscious girl on
board the Helen F., which took both
girls ashore. They were taken to
Broad Street Hospital Fourteen
otners were treated for contusions and
other minor injuries Most of them
went home.
Say Crash Was Inevitable
u; +. McAllister, secretary of Che
highland Navigation Corporation, which
owns the Grand Republic, said last
night that his Investigation had con-
ssihsed him that the Terry boat captain
nad slgnalled right of way to the
1urand Republic and had then held to
M ner course. The tide helped to make
.ne coiiision inevitable, Mr.. McAllis-
Yet said. Officials of the Erie made a
orle1 statement to the effect that the
captain Of the ferryboat claimed to
nave the right of way.
4he Grand Republic went under her
gSn TS steam to dry dock in BROOKLYN,
me lerryboat is at Tietjen & Lang's
.spalr yard in Brooklyn.
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