New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-17
DREADEUI, RAILROAD ACCIDENT.

fright1ul accident occurred on the Panama Rail-
road ON the 9th inst resulting in the death of 80 or AZ
Messengers and wounding some so Others. CORE
spondent who was an e e-wness sends us the following
account:
8. ns Editor Of I've N. Y. Tvfbua@
Sir: Yesterday morning the passengers from New
York who left that city April 21 started from this place
for Panama In three separate trains OF cars The hfst
contained the mails express matter and the passengers
baggage The other two were filled with passengers
After proceeding something more than half way to
Panama, the engine of the freight train off the
track in such position that It could not be replaced
without good deal of delay So the conductors of
the passenger trains, very wisely think, deter
mined to run back to Aspinwall, where they could
net something to eat, which they could not
DO anywhere on the road. We were
within about two miles of this place. when the terrible
crash occurred was seated in one Of the rear cars,
and the fret sensation felt was sudden jerk, and
imt datey looking out Of the window could see the
carr rushing upon each other until nine in number
were completely demolished. Every car was crowded
with passengers containing at least sixty persons AT
present il is impossible to estimate the number killed
and wounded or their names, but when we consider
that there not less than five hundred persons IN
the cars that were shivered to atoms 1t must be low
0sAniPto W soy doe MY "SiC AhO", oH~ w.
hundred, and, perhaps, many more, badly wounded,
and II seems almost miraculous that many escaped
with their lives.
There many opinions as to the cause Of the dis
aster and where the blame should rest. l do not
think the conductors engineer were to blame. 1t
was defect in the construction Of the road at that
place. 1t was at small bridge, and the rails were
laid timbers that lengthwise Of the road and
there was nothing to keep them from spreading and
letting the through and we the result.
examined very critically to determine the true cause
and feel certain that the above the true cause and
any attempt to lay the blame anywhere else
viii be unjust.
wish to speak quite emphatcally on this point, to
call the attention Of the agents of the road in New
York to the subject. While they endangering their
property and the lives Of their feo in this
way they ought to know the cause. When tmbers
have lain In this climate few years, they become so
much soaked with water in the rainy season that they
have about as much substance 80 much water. l
DO not say that all their bridges made as this one
was, for some certainly not. and little expense to
tie the sleepes together would save good deal of
trouble Truly yours Wm. SHyw.
lsptsssal, May 7, 1855.
Here 10 another account, from The AspiapaN Conr-
Yer extra Of May7:
Yesterday morning three trains le this city for Pan
anna with the passengers Of the steamship George Law,
N number near nine hundred
= baggage train preceded the passengers and tho
.ss. a. IN on the track on Obspo bridge fifteen
"' Ps, .ns aide Of Panama.
a,tsrmssaoei ng impossible after this msbap il was
~ Hstsch;" SEND the passengers back to Aspin wall
two engines ,s miles This side of Obspo ooe Il the
bon trans. consisting Of some twenty esrs n"' 70
A, snr Ss mse the other side Of Gatun Bridge
s~m some cause s nos the ioSSmye Of the track
iolowed Some were piled up on ton on 10 egat Others
ne uscA ana Others Wee rolled of on either siSs
These ears were hed almost entirely With .,ssr.os
passengers. VIZ" Seeefage
As soon as possible after the crash tidng. We're ,.