New York Times, “Man Overboard!,” March 31, 1857

Man Overboard!

At 5 o’clock P.M., yesterday, a man, too much in a hurry to wait for the next boat at the Fulton Ferry, essayed a leap after the boat as she was receding from the slip: his agility and momentum not being equal to the space to be overcome, he dropped into the dock, where he was observed bobbing round for several minutes enjoying a cold bath. A pole was extended to the hapless individual to keep him from sinking, which he grasped with convulsive energy, all-forgetful of his fat sailing off on a voyage of discovery. A ladder was finally handed down, on which he slowly ascended to dry land, a wetter and wiser man.