The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-05
Terrific Disaster In Franee-Three Hundred
Lives Lost.


In previous number Of our paper, among the
foreign intelligence, we have stated the facts, as
they had reached ms, Of the awful accident at An
ger--thc breaking down Of the suspension bridge;
The beet account seems 10 be given m the Joutdt
dn Name cf Loire, and il as lollowBi-
AT eleven o'clock in the morning, april III,
1s50) a squadron Of hussars, coming from
Nantes, had crossed over the suspension bridge
Of the Basse Maine without any accident, al-
though the wind blew very heavily from the west,
and the river was very agiiated. The last OF
the horses had scarcely crossed the bridge. than
the head of the column Of the third battalion of
the Ilth hight infantry appeared on the other side
Reiterated warnings were given to the troops TO
break into sections, as is usually done. but the rain
falling heavily at the time, II was disregarded, and
the battalion advanced in close column. The head
al the battalion had reached the opposite side. the
pioneers, the drummcrs, and part OF the band were
of the bridge, when a horrible crash was heard
the casi-Ion columns of the right hank suddenly
gave way, crushing beneath them the rear OF the
4tb company, which, with the flank company. had
not entered on the bridge To describe the fright
fu spectacle and the cries Of despair which were
raised is impossible the scene At the bridges of
Belesina can alone give am idea of It. The whole
Town rushed To the spot to give assistance; In
spite Of the stoIm which was raging, all the boats
that could be got at were launched 10 pick up the
soldiers IN the river, and great number who were
chnRing to The arapets OF the bridge, or who were
kept afioat 10y their knapsscks were Immediately got
cut. The gree ter number Of them were, however,
found 10 be wounded by the bayoncts or by the frag-
ments the bridge falling ON them. Every one on the
slot wed with each other in rendering assistance,
and, as the soldiers were got out, they were led
into the houses adjoining, and every assistance
given. Ihosc who were too much injured 10 walk
were placed ON litters. All the authorities
Of the town, the troops in the garrison, and the
officers and soldiers who had escaped injury,
had only one idea-that Of rendering all the
assistance IN their power a young Lieutenant of
the llth, Nj. Lour. rendered himself conspicuous
ior ms heroic exeftons; and young workwoman,
I4f mol Of L.xE A.. ttafnr
water, and saved the life of an officer, who was
just sinking: II II impossible for at this moment
TO oestaie the number OLIVES that have been lost OF
these that escaped with their lives there II scarcely
one but has received wounds fom the bayoncs OF his
comrades: Several acts Of devotion deserve 10 be
mentioned. a journeyman halter, named Turgs,
who had acquired some notoricty in the late polii.
cal ulals, stripped, and jumped into the nyer, and
~ his strength and skill IN swimming. saved q
great many lives. One Of the soldiers, who had
reached the shore unhurt, Immediately stripped and
twam 70 The assistance Of HE comrades
The htutenani-colonel, an old officer Of the en-
pire, assisted by the adjutani, and by some Of his
men, etcaped with his life but although seriously
wounded and bruised, he would not quit the SPOT,
but renamed TO watch over the rescue OF his conf
panions ia arms
The following additional details are from the
PrctWsen OF Angers, Of "Wednesday -
Ihe suspensIon-bridge which has fallen was
tulit about twelve years ago, Int about a year
since underwent repairs, which cost the town
about 36,Oc0f. The suspendinq- chains at first gave
way on one side only, when the soldiers on the
bridge. feeling the movement Of the floor Of the
bridge, naturally rushed to the other side, when the
chains there also gave way, and the whole hoor ~
the bridge fell. Prom one bank to the other, the
ri,er was completely blocked mp with the soldiers
struggling TO reach the shore. II the weather had
been calm, the greater number ofthem would, in all
probability, have been saved. The wind, however,
blew perfect hurricane, and the waves were very
rough. Masses Of men might be seen clnging TO
each other, the wavee every moment washing
awhy scne OF them, until one only remained
Beams Of wood, planks, and every article that
could be laid hold Of were launched, TO enable the