Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-28

QUARTERLY RnruIsN. The papers have tenn
cd for weeks with repeated accounts of disaster by
field and flood, The frequency of these SO called
accidents has not diverted attention from the eau
SEES which induced the catastrophes but the inter-
est centering in one event has hardly arrived at its
climax before the occu renee of something elsc,a
even more terrible in its nature, brings up new
subject for painful meditation. The results OF the
numerous collisions, burnings, and explosions which
have taken place during the quarter are frlghtful.
The causes of the disasters, doubtless, are mainly
attributable to capelessness
In the cases of the Independence, the Jenny Lind,
the William and Mary, and the Tennessee, on the
water: and in those of the New Haven, Erie and
Michigan railroads, the negligence of captains, en-
gineers, and agents was very clearly indicated. In
one or two If these instances an attempt has been
made to hold the parties responsible, and this IS
particularly the case with the railroads IN Mlch-
gan In far too many of them, however, the blame
has been affixed to no particular individual; the
officers are still retained in their positions IN the
service of the companies, and are again at liberty
to put in peril the lives of passengers who may
be entrusted to their care.
In order that the real extent OF these calamities
may be fairly presented for consideration, we have
prepared summary statement of the disasters to
vessels and on the railroads of the Union, of which
tidings were received here between the dates OF
April 1 and May ls. The exhibit is painfully in
teresting:
VESSELS.
Steamer Independenee-W Wrecked and burnt
February Is, near Margarita Island in the Pacific
1877 miles north of Cape St. Lucas; 129alives lost
! Steamer Itnnessee.-Went ashore, March l6
near San Miguel on the Pacific. Six hundred
passengers on board; all rescued.
Steamer Jenny Lind.-Exploded April 9, while
on the way from San Francisco to San Jose; 81
lives lost, 10 persons injured
| Steamer s. s. Lewis-Went ashore in the Pa
cfc, near Bolinas Bay, April 9. -Four hundred
and forty passengers on board all saved.
Steamer Al6atross. Lost in the Gulf, while
Oh her way from New York to Vera Cruz Ap1 TO-
| Steamer Ocean Wave-Burned on Lake Onta
rio, Saturday, April 80 SO lives lost-passengers
| 81, and crew l6.
| Barque William d. Mary.-Wrecked on reefs
in Bahama Channel, May 3; ITO lives lost.
RAILROADS.
Camden and Amaboy-Afternoon train from
Philadelphia, Saturday, April 23-ran off the
draw-bridge at Rancocas Creek.
Michigan and Southern Central-Collision al
the crossing, April 25; 16 lives lost, many per-
sons injured.
! Boston and Naine-One man run over and
killed, April 2s at Reading depot.
| Reading.-One man killed near the Falls of the
Schuylkill, May 5.
NeU HuVeH-hOTHIbS express Ituu HoA Non
York, Friday, May Gram off draw-bridge at
Norwalk 46 lives lost.
Ne,o York and Erie Rampoa Braach-Collis
ion on Monday May 9; 2 lives lost.
Old Colony.-Freight train thrown off neal
North Braintree, Mass, May 1 cause, misplaced
switch.
Taunton Branch.-T rain thrown off, Saturday
May I; Is persons injured-cause, a broken axle
tree.
NeaC York Central-Colision near Syracuse
May 3, between passenger and cattle trains; engi
neer hurt.
Hudson River-Child killed in this city, Mon
day, May 8.
Totat-Loss of life during three months on sea
and river steamers, 367. On railroads sc. Ag-
gregate loss, 433.
| From this statement it will be seen that upward
of four hundred persons have lost their lives, dur
ing the transit from place to place on our various
routes of travel in the short space of three months
Besides the wrecks of sea-going vessels, attended
with loss of le less than three first class steam
ships have foundered; each containing large num-
Der of passengers These were rescued by strenu-
Gus exertions but, under less favorable circum-
stances. they might have been added to the list Of
dead. These results indicate lamentable laxity
of discipline, want of energy, and an absence OF
foresight, which demand the most vigorous inves-
J tigation. N Y. Times 10Th.
FE,, H1Hrs NOV be