Peril in the East River after a Medicine Show

Editor's note: The following article was originally published in N-Y Journal; or, the General Advertiser, August 29, 1771, Thanks to Contributing Scholar George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing these articles. The language, spelling and grammar of the article reflects the time period when it was written.

Image from https://blogs.shu.edu/litandthecity/2019/05/08/fultons-street-ferry/

A Stranger, lately arrived here, who calls himself Dr. Anthony Yeldall, and sells Medicines from a Stage; who by his Harangues, the odd Tricks of his Merry-Andrew, and the surprising Feats of Activity of his little Boy, highly diverts the People, has for several Weeks past exhibited at Brucklyn, on Long-Island; to which Place, it is said, several thousand of People, mostly from this City, have flocked to see and hear him every Day of his Exhibition.

On Monday last a great Multitude, as usual, having attended him; on their Return to cross the Ferry, the Boats being insufficient to carry them all, were prodigiously crowded; every one got in as soon as he could, and when the Boat was full, they put off, without waiting for the Ferry-men.

One of the Boats thus put off about Sunset, having on board 110 Persons, Men, Women and Children. Before they could well fix themselves for rowing, the Rapidity of the Tide drove the Boat upon and over a Rock, by which the Rudder was beat off, and the Bottom shattered, through;which the Water rushed in Sluces [?]

Before they could think of any Measures for their Preservation, the Boat was driven upon and over another Rock, which increased the Leaks, together with the Confusion and Dismay of the People on board, where the Water rapidly increased every Moment.

The Tears and Cries of the Women and Children, the Looks of Astonishment and Terror of the whole Company, at the Prospect of immediate Death, from which no Means of Deliverance appeared, produced a Scene of Distress, that Words cannot describe. The Men were thrown into a Stupefaction, that hindered them from attempting any Thing for their Preservation; and their confused Noise and Gestures, were by the People on Shore supposed to be the Effects of Mirth and Jollity.

​At last some of the Boys on board began to lade out the Water with their Hats, which being observed by the People on shore, and in Boats at a Distance, convinced them that those distressed People were in Need of Assistance, which was given with all possible Expedition, by several Boats which arrived just in Time to save the People in the leaky Boat, which was upon the Point of sinking, the Water being above the Knees of the Men, and up to the Middle of some of the Children, and the Edge of the Boat not above a Hand's Breath above Water.

To such a Number of People in present Health and high Spirits, this striking Prospect of immediate Death, and providential Deliverance from it -- whereby many Families have been saved from Mourning, Lamentation and Woe, should not fail to making a strong and lasting Impression, and having a good Effect, not only upon the Persons who were the immediate Actors in the Scene, and their near Relatives, but upon all who were Witnesses of it.

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