The New York herald., 1871-02-16


TO the time table, had been considerably exceeded
by the time they had arrived at Inwood station.
After leaving Inwood, about half mile from the
station,
THEY WERE MET By A MAN
who had been sent on from Spuyten Duyvil to in
form them that freight train was being switched
at that station, and requested them to 60 slowly on
to the bridge crossing the creek. The driver Of the
Montreal express slackened the speed OF his engine
at snce and allowed the tram to pass round the
curve and 60 on to the drawbridge which crosses
the river there. In consequence Of the diculty Of
switching the freight train the express was kept on
the bridge upwards Of an hour before anything oc-
Cured to cause them to imagine they were in any
danger. Here was the express train standing on a
frai timber bridge across deep stream with num-
Der OF passengers, as
ON THE VERGE OF THE GRAVE.
single foot out Of the car on the west side would
have plunged the passenger into a watery grave;
the east side, twelve feet distant was the rapid
Hudson carrying in its current blocks of ice varying
from ten 10 twelve inches IN thickness while In be-
tween the two tracks there is nothing but few spare
pieces Of timber, several feet apart so that step
out Of the car In either case meant almost certain
destruction. Nothing could save person, who
might naturally have stepped of the car to ascertain
ralters Of the pier into the frozen creek ana once
UNDER THE MASS OF ICE,
Ing around the wooden supports, the chances
would be ninety to one II he could be recovered.
This bridge s about goo yards ana forms part
vii. AT the south end Of the curve and about 300
feet again from the bridge point where the view
on the west SIDE large signal lamp is placed. and
intended to be worked by the man who has charge
anything until they reach It, II there is any ohstruc
tlon across the bridge and between that and the
station 1t Is, IN fact,
but, like most places OF the same character, nie
greater the danger to life and limb, and the more
guarded and the least the attention paid to It, For
instance between Inwood and Spuyten Duyvll is
nothing but the lamps until he arrives at the curve
Hudson river. rIyer. But 4 anything Is wrong
curve and over the 800 yards to the bridge
On Tuesday night the freight train which lert New
York shortly before the Montreal express could not
shunt until 1t arrived at Spuyten'S station, this
being the first switch on the road.
THERE WAS NO ONE ON DUTY
at Spuyten Duyvl station but an old switchman, and
point 400 feet 10 the north OF the station. In ac
cordance with the rules generally enforced by the
COMPANY as soon as the freight train arrived at
wood to meet the Montreal express which
he knew to be due. The man met the train and
stopped II, as already stated. There was no one
duty at the signal lamp; the man who Is detailed to
attend TO 1t and the drawbrldge during the day had
tween the blankets at the time the accident hap
pened, having with him the keys Of the apparatus
which worked the wire rope leading to the signal
lamp at the curve. The switchman was endeaver.
ing to get the freight train of The track, which
cupied until one O'Clock yesterday morning, the
express train standing with
IT'S ENTIRE LENGTH ON THE BRIDGE.
The conductor OF the express knew there was a
tram due from New York for Yonkers few minutes
later than his ewn. He also knew perfectly well
that the rule OF the company was to despatch a man
back the track to warn approaching trains when
strange to relate he either entirely overlooked his
duties or forgot the imminent danger the passen-
gers under his care were exposed In such frghtfu
position,
OVER TIE YAwNING CHAsM
In which they were placed. lie did not send mes
slumberlng drawbrldge keeper to manipulate the
signal; he did not even heed the approaching tran
which must nave been heard considerable dis.
tance before 1t came to the curve although 1t could
not be seen. AT about one O'Clock up came the
Yonkers tram at the rate Of thlrty-fve miles an
saw the red light only 300 yards ahead OF them. The
driver shut OF the steam, the fireman put on the
patent breaks, and both took leap, one on either
slde landing first on Ice and then In water several
on DASHED THE FoAMISa LOCOMOTIVE,
and In few seconds leaped clean into the rear OF
one of the passenger cars of the express on the
bridge, breaking away tne platform aud side step,
stand sta Within about three feet q the thirteen passen
gers in the car, who were only awakened to sense
OF their danger by first the frightfnl shock. and
gaped at them through the broken half Of the car.
nad the passengers been in the south end Of the car
they must have been crushed TO death instantane.
ously. The locomotive must have
STRUCK THE CAR WITH TERRIFIC FORCE,
for 1t not only threw every passenger either on the
whole length Of the traln but 1t also crushed up the
pilot, the immense angle irons and front beam OF
wood holding the cowcatcher, twelve inches square.
The engine, SO far as the front gear was con.
Cefned, must have been perfect wreck. Pieces Ol
iron Of all thickness bends and brackets pieces Of
timber and debris lay scattered all along beneath
the bridge where the collision took place;
indeed the seepers and general appearance
OF the spot Indicated yesterday the scene
to the end car being SO y rudely entered and smashed
up-this car Is now lying at Spuyten perfect
wreck-the third sleeping car from 1t was ruthlessly
broken, the gearing torn out and otherwise In
jurcd.
The switchman, in reply to the questions Of the
reporter, stated that he was standing quite near
the engine OF the Montreal train when the collision
occurred and ran at once to the end OF the train.
He jumped in through the breach made Dy the en-
ginc In the car, and found that all the passengers
were more or less injured,
ONE MANS FACE BEING COVERED WITH BLOOD,
which appeared to come from bruises on the temple.
Tie switchman ran along over the open raiters
forming the BRIDGE because he was accustomed 70
them; 10 o stranger they would mean DEATH AS
soon as the driver and fireman Of the Yonkers train
came up they set to work and backed their train
cut having only three cars attached to their engine;
Finally the freight train switched. the Montreal
tram moved on to Spuytcn station and
UNHITCHRD THE BROKEN CAR,
ana at three O'Clock, exactly three hours cehind
e usual and r ST as dea
freight.
TIE first thing that strikes the observer at spuy
construction Of the bridge without any side rail-
ings, and the deficient management Of the signals
aud drawbrdge. There is signal, 1t Is true; but
FOR WANT or hight ATTENDANT
1t Is not OF the slightest use; 1t Ia not worked. and
rather tnsn nav thlru dollars " forty dollars =