The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-04-23
MANCHESTER, (Eng) March l
DREADFUL CATASTROPHE.

To the numerous frightful accidents which
have unfortunately occurred in this town, we re-
gret to state that it is painful duty 20 record
another equalling, if not exceeding in calamity
any destructive event that has preceded it. An
announcement had been published, that thelN New
Quay Company intended to launch a new fiat
from their yard on Friday, and that she would
be full-rigged for the occasion. From the novel
tY of the circumstance, rugged vessel never
having before been launched IN this town, an
exceeding numerous company assembled to wit
ness the spectacle. The time at which the
launch was appointed to take place was one o.
clock, the usual dinner hour for large proper
ton of the working classes of the town, an i'm
mense number ofthem, consisting principally of
men, boys and girls, employed mfactories and dye
houses, fastened to the spot to witness the sight,
and great number succeeded in getting on
board the vessel. 1t is supposed that not less
than three hundred persons were on the deck.
At one o'clock, the supporting blocks were
knocked from under the flat, and she Sided
along the cradle into the Irwell, amidst shouts
and cheers As soon as she got into the water,
it was observed that her position inclined to the
right side in a moment after she struck against
the opposite bank retroceded few yards, and
then tnrned over on her right side. The con-
sequence of this sudden occurrence was, that
nearly the whole of the individuals who crowd
ed the deck were plunged into the water from
eight to ten feet The scene at this awful mo-
ment battles all attempts at adequate description.
The spectators appeared to be panic struck, and
alarm and terror were visibly depicted in every
countenance. In the river the groans and wall
lngs Of those who were drowning, and the cries
of others for help when struggling to gain the
shore amidst the dense mass of persons miners
ed in the water, were lamentable in the extreme.
IF, k,,,y Al
ming towards each Shore some bringing compan-
ions with them, whilst others had great difficult
ty to save themselves from destruction, owing
to the attempts made by drowning persons t.
lay hold of them for safety. Whilst these pain
full sights presented themselves, many unhappy
persons, unable to obtain assistance, were OBJ
served to disappear from the surface of the wa
ter. In few moments the greater number had
succeeded in reaching the land; but very many
particularly boys and girls, who had sunk more
than once to the bottom of the river, had be-
come so feeble that they could hardly move, and
others were dragged out apparently in lifeless
state. Notwithstanding the incemency of the
season, several men who are good swimmers,
stripped and repeatedly dived into the water
In short time one dead body was pulled out
and in the space of an hour no less than thirty
were discovered. The bodies, as soon as they
were found, were conveyed to the nearest con.
venient places, in order that the means of re-
suscitating persons apparently drowned might
be resorted to- Medical gentlemen were in at
tendance, and two who, when dragged out OF
the river, were in state of insensibility, were
completely restored to life, and are likely to en-
JOY their wonted health. In many other nstan
cios the same happy results did not follow
We have good reason to believe, that the
fatal event was caused by majority Of the PEG
pie on board going to one side Of the deck
The number of persons, at present ascertaneC
to have lost their lives amounts to thirty four
From the fact, however, that nearly three hun
dred persons were precipitated into tho river
we fear that an addition will be made to tn,
dreadful list.
up to Saturday night, March LIST, AZ bodies
had been found