The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-24 00:00:00

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THE ACCIDENT AT
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BLACKFRIARS-BRIDGE.
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1 THE INQUEST.
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Yesterday afternoon, at four o'clock, having been ap-
pointed by Mr. Payne, the City Coroner, for an inquest
upon the persons who were so unfortunately drowned at
Blackfriars-bridge, on the evening of Monday, the public
room of the Glaziers Arms, in Water-lane, was densely
crowded long before the hour for commencing the pro-
ceedings.
The Deputy Coroner, Mr. Joseph Payne, arrived pre-
cisely at the hour, and the jury having been sworn to
examine into the circumstances attending the deaths of
Benjamin Breadcott, aged four years, Mary Ann Bread-
cott, aged 14 years, Rhoda Breadcott, aged 14. Maria
Bulstead, aged 23, and Aurelia Monday, aged 10 years,
Mr. Greig was chosen foreman of the jury, and the first
witness called in was

r ie
dos
tni
awtnah
was his
name lisths
daughter,oof
Al
was Aurelia. He last saw her alive on Sunday.
f sufferers.r e d l
hua nt d
herua ye
age t
statedo
sv
that e
ten, t l eatnhldase thdeenrcitecma
Christian
He knew nothing of his own knowledge as to the cause
or manner of her death. He lived in Printing-house-
lane, and kept the Lamb and Lark public-house.
David Thomas was a labouring man, and lis'ed at the
Glazier? Arms. He was down on the lower part of the
pier at the time the accident occurred. He was there
proceeding to clear away the large masses of people
who had congregated on the stairs. A steamer was
coming up. On the " dumb lighter" there were about
fifty persons, who had been repeatedly asked to go away,
but would not. There was a rowing match on the river,
and all were anxious to witness it. Some of the child-
ren there ran up from the " dumb lighter" on to the
steps, and then the " bridge" went down. He did nut
see the deceased child Munday. He did see a lady and
gentleman in the water, and rescued them. The gentle-
man was a foreigner. About twenty or more went into
the water in addition to those who were lost. The people
were not on the pier by consent of the proprietors, and
the proprietors took no money for allowing them to be
present. The bridge was merely for the convenience of
the steam-boat passengers, and he considered that it was
quite strong enough to admit of persons walking across
with Verfeet safety. The reason of its breaking down
was that too many persons were on it. The people fell
at once into the water. The wood of the bridge was,
strong and of a good quality. It appeared to him a pure
accident arising from the number of persons on the

Newbon said he was there on behalf of the Wa-
terman's Company, the owners of the pier, and the Co-
roner said he could not recognise any professional man,
as there was no one in custody. But any suggestion be
might make should be attended to.
The last witness was examined at considerable length
by the jury, and stated in addition, that the police had
not been called upon to remove the assemblage from the
pier, and that no extra policemen were put on in conse-
quence of the regatta. There was a great deal of ex-
citement arising from the wish of persons to see the
rowing, but at the time of the occurrence not a boat was
passing.

- The- CORONER remarked that the two important
points for the jury were whether the " bridge " had on
that occasion been diverted from its original use ; and
whether money had been taken. If these could not be
substantiated the imputation of blame could not rest on
the proprietors of the pier.
Michael Walsh, carpet warehouseman, 63, Hatton-
garden.—At the time of the accident he was on the
landing at the steps of Blackfriars -bridge, where the
drags were kept. He was standing there from five till
nearly eight. Saw the boats getting ready, and
observed a great many persons on the wooden
bridge and pier, which was somewhat slanting.
The people were standing, and he heard the wood-
work snap all at once. It went into two pieces. One
part nearest the stone-work hung by the ropes and
chains—the other went out into the water. He rushed
down, and while holding by the ropes and chains at-
tempted to rescue several persons who were struggling
in the water. He did not observe the deceased Aurelia.
Munday, but he saw two other girls. He could not say
that any money was taken to allow the people to stand
on the pier. The watermen and a policeman tried to
keep back the children, but they were too numerous to
keep away.
By a Juror—Had no previous opportunity of testing
the strength of the bridge, but from what he saw of it.
on the day of the accident, was inclined to think it quite
strong enough to permit of many persons passing safely
to the steamers. He should not, however, say it was
capable of holding 20 or 30 persons at one tinie,. The
accident, in his opinion, arose from the number of per-
sons there.
Thomas Ware—Was one of the pier proprietors. The
wooden bridge belonged also to them. Had been in
their possession two years and three-quarters. When it
came into their possession it was quite new, and had
been made by Mr. Cox, a barge builder. They took no
money from the persons on the bridge. He himself was,
there when the accident happened. He heard a crassi;
then he ran forward, and saw the people in the wieter.
The bridge he was sure was quite strong enough for the
purpose to which it had been put, namely, the embark-
ing and disembarking of passengers. He knew nothing
of the deceased, and did not recollect having seen ner.
He tried five minutes before the accident to remove the
people, but it was quite impossible. He considered that
there was danger, and told them so, but it was rig no use.
He did not observe that the police tried t„,O get the
people away. The tide was about an hour after high-
water. There were, he thought, forty in the water, two
of whim he rescued, but he could not say how many
were got out.
By a Juror—The bridge was six feet wide, and thirty
feet long, and hand-rails on either side. It was also
strengthened by iron clasps, or cross pieces. Should
think from the terrific crash that all the planks broke
together. They were of deal. and an inch and a half
thick. The cost of the bridge was 201.. There was a
greater number assembled at that than at any previous
rowing-match.
William Thorrington was a lighterman. He fished up
the deceased child about half-past, seven that morning-,
close to the Hetherington wharf, near the Blackfriars-
Bridge, on the London side. The head was much bruised.
The CORONER remarked that reports had been cur-
rently abroad, as to blame attached to parties in this
case, and he had therefore been anxious to commence
the inquiry. In the case of the deceased, there had been
adduced no evidence as to the drowning ; for, from the
bruises upon the head, she might have been dead before-
she got into the water. Under all the circumstances, he
thought it advisable to postpone further examination,
that more evidence might be laid before them. When,
there had been such an enormous sacrifice of human life,
he felt satisfied the jury would not hesitate to adjourn
in order to get all the evidence possible. In, the case of
the Breadcotts, the father was in such a distressed con-
dition from grief, that it would be impossiirle for them to
examine him that night.
After some discussion, it was agreed that an adjourn-
ment should take place until seven o'clock.
At seven o'clock the inquest was resumed at the
School-room in Church-entry, for, owing to the great
number of persons who had waited to hear the proceed-
ings, the former room in the Glazier's Arms was found
much too limited.
Francis Underwood, 11 years of age, was first called.
He knew Aurelia Munday. Was with her on Mr auday
evening, talking to her on the platform at Black-
friars-bridge. Went there to see the rowin g-match.
clhe was standing on the middle of the wooeien bridge,
extending from the stairs to the barge, when it broke.
There were many people on it. He had left the de-
ceased half an hour before it broke down, Asked her
to go over to Bankside, but she preferred remaining
where she was. There was no release that he observed
with her. No money was paid fo-r going on the bridge.
The piermen turned the people. off several times, but
they went on again immediately.
Francis Hutcheson, surgeon, ef:Farringdon-street, had
examined the body of Aurelia Munday about nine that
morning. Found her much bruised about the face, and
with a profusion of blood under the skin, which he
thought resulted from some injury sustained before life
was extinct, but it mixlat have been done when the body
was under water. The body had been in the water
twelve hours, and he was of opinion that death resulted,
from drowning.
By a juror—The probability was that the child sue-
tained the bruises when falling against the barge.
Wm. Cox, one of the jurymen, at his own deli se, was
then sworn. He appeared desirous of addres,4ing,
he the
jury in a set speech, but on the Coroner's obj(Jeting
sat down without given evidence.
George Hodges—Had occasion to make alterations in
the bridge two years ago. At that time it was in good
condition, having been made of the best D antzic timber.
(A portion of the wood was produced ins Court,
which
was stated to be very sound.)
George Maunders, a police sergee-nts said that there
were four policemen on duty there, and one immediately
on the spot of the accident. The, drags were at work
immediately. There was no regilest made by the bridge
proprietors to drive the people (it?, and if there had been, it
would have required a hued Policemen to do so.
George Casson—Was en the platform at the time of
the accident; and, consequently, further on the water
than the persons standing on the bridge. At the time
the bridge broke, he should say, there might be fifty er
sixty persons on ity and he saw twenty or twenty-Eve
struggling in the 'water. Heard the pierraen warn the
people off. Some went and the greater part paid no at-
tention. He thought the bridge not safe for morf..t than
three persons.
James Lynes, butcher, Newgate-street--Wae, at the
place during the period of the accident Saw sixty or
seventy persons on the bridge, twenty or thirty of whom
were immersed in the water. No money was paid for
admission on to the bridge.,
Henry Reynolds gave ,".;imilar evidence.
The Coroner summei up. -He, bad thought it of the
first ltnportance, in r:onsequenee of the, rumours which
were rit'e as to the cause of the accident, to call togith'er
a in-LT at the earliest possible moment, that the real
Circumstances of the case, accredited by witnesses upc,u,
oath, might, through the medium of the public press,
go forth to the world. It had appeared that a nuraber
of persons were collected upon the wooden bridge lead-
ing to the pier, in order to witness a boat-race ; end it
also appeared that attempts had been made by t.ie pro-
prietors to clear it of the mass who were upon it ; and,.
it was further proved that they had neither demanded-
nor taken money from such persons; and that. therefore,'
there was no gross neglect or wilful wrong to be im-
puted to them. Under these circumstances he thought,
there would be no difficulty in the jury coming to ass
undivided opinion upon the subject.
The jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict =
of " Accidental death," and accompanied the same with
a recommendation to the Civic authorities to use mea-
sures in future for the prevention of persons getting-
upon the barges in such cases as rowing-matches, and,
particularly in preventing children getting into places so.
liehle to danger.
The other cases were adjourned, in consequence of the 1
latolicas of the hour.