American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-23
Railroad Aeoidents.-The Public Safety.

long since refoAed'
Railroad Accidents.-The Public Safety.
We yesterday related an accident that oc-
CURED ON the Baltimore and Ohio railroad on
Thursday last, by which three men were instantly
killed, and nine soere more or less injured. The
particulars of that accident are not given We
are simply told that three or four gondola or
iron cars, Gears which carry loads of iron, we
presume, were proceeding westward with some
passengers and materials for the new track, the
engine being behind that wheel OF the for
ward car was suddenly broken, and the car
precipitated down an embankment. This is the
story, as far told; but the subject is of suffi
cent Importance to cause US to desire more
ample narrative. Let us, however, examine
the meagre statement before u.s.
The cars we're west of Cumberland There are
mountains west of Cumberland, and it is posi-
BILE these cars were descending one of them.
The engine was behind, and why? But one
reason presents itself to our mind, and it is,
that the train was approaching the unfinished
terminus of the road, as the engine could only
thus leave the train, and return toward Cum
berland for other uses. For the sake of conve-
nience, therefore, the least safe mode of pro-
pulsion was adopted.
Now, what was the cause Of the engines being
precipitated down an embankment? The break
ing of wheel of that car. We are informed
that this was the primary cause. We do not
believe one word Of it. The breaking of the
wheel was but one in the series Of effects from
another cause, and the coincidence of the break
ing right at place of such danger affords a
presumption that there the cause of breaking
existed. What was that cause? At this dis
lance from the scene, it is impossible to decide;
but we can perhar ke some suggestions to
aid those who Wis ~ scene to discern this
cause.
From the character Of the cars and their
freight, we are authorized to believe that their
burden was very heavy. From the character of
the country, and the certainty that the parti-
cular place was precipitous, we have good rea-
son to believe that the grade Of the road pre-
sents considerable descent. From the fact
that the car was thrown from the road at oil,
we infer that the train was descending. Now
the momentum in the descent may be ascertained
by multiplying the weight and velocity; and
all circumstances combine to urge upon US the
conviction that these were both very great
But one more question, then, remains to be
answered. What is the radius of the curve of
the road in that particular place We know,
from the sinuous character Of railroads upon
mountain sides, that curves are very frequent;
and we know, also, that unwise economy in the
construction of roads often induces the directors
Of such works to render these curves too acute
for the speedy transit Of cars upon them.
These things are worth looking into. The
lives Of men are precious, and every possible
protection should be thrown around them. BY
the occurrence here alluded to, distress has
been brought to at least twelve families. The
lives of three men have been forfeited, three |
others are dangerously injured, and six others
disabled. This is no light matter. It is worthy
the attention of the public.
1t is far from our wish to invoke undeserved |
censure upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad |
Company; but our duty to the public is our
first consideration. Let the matter be looked |
into, and let the company be either censured or
relieved from all suspicion. If the circum-
stances of the case be such as we conjecture,
the company can be made to pay to the injured
persons and the families of the deceased such |
forfeitures as will secure proper care in future;
and it is not only the right, but the duty of all
such persons to forthwith bring the subject to
issue before the legal tribunals Of the country.
The frequency Of these disasters calls impera-
lively for such action. 1t is demanded by q
due regard for the safety of all who travel upon
these highways, and the true ultimate interests
Of the companies themselves will be promoted
by it.