The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-29

~SsACUS Ou inc "eUSexu kAokAIOSNs
Mr.. Editor, I read in your paper Of this morning
the following notice Of an accident on the Westsr,
Railroad -
A A AecIpEHr on rhK WrsrrRN RAnRsAp
The cars run of the track the 2lst instant
near Chester Village, smashed two or three o
them, badly fractured the leg of the engineer Of the
locomotive, and tossed Harnden's Express mes
senger to considerable distance on to a greer
bank Ought not there to be more care Of thi
road
On the morning Of the 2ist instant, took thu
cars at Pittsfsld, for the purpose Of visiting thu
deep cut in the town of Washingto, and observing
the sublime scenery on the line of the road be
tween that place and Chester village, in company
with friend. Owing to the delay of the baggage
train, which was caused by the breaking down oil
the locomotive, the passenger train delayed ar
hour and half at Pittsfe On starting, the con.
ducter stated that he would be obliged to make up
the lost time in going to, aud returning from
Springfield, for he had his instructions to make up
such time as might be lost by such accidents.
thought at the time that this was rather strange
order, and expressed my fear that the speed re-
quired might enaanger the safety ofthe passengers
We proceeded at 4 very rapid rate, should judge
at least 80 miles per hour, for great portion Of
the distance between Pitt.fsld and Beckett, at
which latter place left the cars, and proceeded on
loot along the line of the road TO Chester Factories
where heard Of the accident that had happened
eight miles below, and two miles from ChesteI
Village. BY means Of land-car, soon reach.
ed the spot, where found the engine overturned
few feet from the track on enc side, while on the
other was the post office, the front part entirely
smashed in, and the tender overturned between,
aud little in advance of the other two. The ac-
cident happened where the road had been cut
through q granite rock, to the depth Of several
feet, and straight line and it was against this
rock that the locomotive and pest office had in.
fringed. The engineer had not had time to shut off
steam, or reverse, and he was thrown violently on
one side Of the engine as it went over, facturing
his leg below the knee. Handlers Express.man
escaped most mracuously, his car being demolsh.
ed, and filled with the wreck Of splinters. while he
was unable to say whether he stayed in the car or
jumped out-his impre ssion was that he leaped
out, but in this he was undoubtedly mistaken The
fireman jumped off, and escaped with slight con-
tusicn The passenger cars were left on the track,
the other cars having broken loose they left the
rails. The locomotive was perfectly new, and this
was the first trip it had made; it was beautifully
finished, and AS fine a specimen of the arts as
ever saw. On examining for the cause Of the
accident found that about fifty feet from the spot,
where the wheels of the locomotive left the track
three of the sleepers, or crossties had been under
mined BY waller running under the road, and could
be made to settle two three inches by the weight
of a single man. To appearance the track was
perfectly level, but when the heavy engine struck
this part of the road. there doubt that it
settled down everal inches. The sleeper next in
advance rested on firw foundation, and did not
yield in the least to pressure. The conductor in.
formed me that the speed was great, probably over
twenty miles an hour; that it was more than ord.
nary was very manifest, from the objects of the
collision upon the engine itself and the other cars.
The manner in which the accident happened is per-
fecly obvious, although have seen it stated in an
Albany paper that it was entirely unaccountabe
Going with such speed, the locomotive first settled
upon the timbers undermined, then striking the
solid portion. bounded up, as il a stone had been
laid across the track, and when it came down, the
fange Of the wheel struck upon the rail, on which
it could be traced tor at least thirty feet before it
went off to the left 1t is not uncommon, am
old, for engine, going at its greatest speed upon
track Of unequal solidity. to bound several inches
from the rail Fortunately, the fange comes down
upon the right side, or such accidents would be of
very FIRE quent occurrence.
From what l observed and learned from others,
am satisfied that accidents will continue to occnr
3 very materially lesssned. On the day on which
he above accident happened the ran fifty four
niles in two hours and ten minutes, including ten
aoppages, which could not have been at much
'e an unsafe degree Of speed any railroad what
.ver: Owing, however, to the nature of the conn.
ry through which this road passes, there arc nu-
nereus curves, many Of them quite abrupt. which
much enhances the danger OF accident, and renders
great degree Of caution imperative duty. Ii
however bat act Of justice to state, that there
Is no railroad in the United States constructed with
rs much sOlidity and skill as the one in que
person can read or write in the cars with nearly
~ much ease in his study Parlour; and il the
sense of danger, which he now must feel, were
taken away BY the reduction of speed, tho ne plus
ultra of pleasure travelling would be attained. l.
ADMINISTRATION MEEriSG IN mLADELpnIA.-A
public meeting has been called in Philadelphia, to
support the President, and hasten the action Of Con-
yress. The call is signed by long array Of respec.
able merchants The work goes onward.
SERVICES OF THE HOME SqUApRox.-The Race
independence, and the war steamers Missouri and
Mississippi are atl in port, and rendering important
services, In new way, to vessels in distress on our
coast.
II Is sald that those vessels detained from going
10 sea in consequence Of the scarcity of marines and
money. II the latter is one cause, why keep on
board the Independence when there is no likelihood
Of her going to Till the warm weather sets in.
pilot drawing pay of eighty dollars a month? 1t is
very easy to get one of our New York pilot when
the ship ready, and therefore we see no good rea
son for paying out eighty dollars worth of Treasury
Notes for nothing. And the pilot on board is not
regular New York enc, and should not be permitted
to take to sea man Of war like the independence.
As to the scarcity Of sailors OBTAINING these three
vesselsis nonsense. There are already enough ship
ped to man the Razse alone, or the two steamers
and such being the fact why transfer those of one
vessel to another, and send her off to sea to be Of
some benefit
MARCH WEATHER-This month "came in like a
lamb and is going out like lion" Yesterday and
The night before the wind blew cold and strong from
The northwest, causing some damage on the North
River. Steamer Swallow lost her smoke and steam