The ferryboat Westfield II suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion while docked at South Ferry in Manhattan. The disaster resulted in the deaths of between 45 and 91 people, with reports of injuries ranging from 78 to 208, though figures varied across different newspapers like the Times, Herald, Tribune, and World. One of the injured was Italian immigrant Antonio Meucci, who was developing an early version of the telephone. Meucci was in such financial distress that his wife had to sell his laboratory and telephone prototype for $6 to buy medicine.Jacob Vanderbilt, the owner of the ferry, was arrested for murder, but he avoided conviction. The explosion severely impacted the finances of the Staten Island Railway, which owned the ferry, eventually leading to the company’s receivership on March 28, 1872. On September 17, 1872, the company's assets were sold in foreclosure to George Law, with the exception of the Westfield II, which was purchased by Horace Theall.

The Staten Island ferry-boat disaster, the 'Westfield' immediately after the explosionArtist: W. Long Palin

Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal

Westfield II Explosion

South Ferry Station opened After a $530 million renovation that enlarged the tracks to allow all 10 subway cars to open their doors at once.

It lasted three years before being flooded after Sandy.

 Ferries to Staten Island leave from this recently-built replacement for the old Whitehall Ferry Terminal, which burned to the ground in 1992. It boasts the Whitehall Crossing Island Inlay and Benches, a major public art piece by Ming Fay. 

Fred Schwartz, head of Frederic Schwartz Architects, discusses his work on the Staten Island Ferry terminal, the largest ferry terminal in the United States.

&nbsp;The City takes over the operations of the Staten Island Ferry, which now carries over 22 million passengers annually.&nbsp;

Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal

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