The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-14
A Span Of New Bridge Falls Into
sH the James River.
Twelve Men Thrown Into
faf the Current. 4
FOUR woRKMEN PERISH. q
Heroic and Successful Efforts to Save One Of
the Submerged Mechanics.

'sN Ns q r. - RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 10, 1874.
Another appalling disaster is to be added to
Richmond's long and terrible list. While her ctti-
zens are even now rejoicing over the completion OF
great line OF railroad connecting the waters OF
the Chesapeake Bay with those of the Ohio River,
while 900 are In glad procession while the bells
ring the joyful tldings and artillery thunders the
news OF the great triumph Of engineering skill and
commercial enterprise, a number Of families, both
in this and other States are called upon to mourn
the loss, by painful death, Of some one of their
members.
- THE FIRST LIVES SACRIFICED.
The sad catastrophe Of the day began this morn
ing at seven O'Clock, when two men, who were
working on the Free bridge over the James River,
now in course OF construction between this city
and Manchester, attempted to cross from this side
in . small boat to their work. The undertaking
was rash one, owing to the swollen state Of the
river and the terrible rapidlty Of the current The
unfortunate men, however, launched their fraiI
boat, and, striking out boldly, were struggling
with the madly rushing waters Of the James. They
had scarcely gone thirty yards from the shore when
the boat was swamped, turned bottom upwards
and the two occupants were swallowed up In the
turbulent waters These men were named T. G.
Henden (white), of Darlington, Nd, and Philip
Hampton (colored), Of Virginia Their bodies have
not been recovered I'D Gtitty
A BRIDGE FALLS.
This was but the beginning OF the sad events Of
the day. Noon had nearly arrived, and the city
was thrown into terrible state Of excitement by
the announcement that span Of the same Free
bridge had fallen, and that large number Of work.
men were either drowned or killed. The HERALD
reporter at once set out for the Of the dsas
ter, where fearful sight was presented. On the
bank OF the river, on the Manchester side, crowds
OF excited people, mostly women, were rushing
frantically to and fro, wringing their hands and
, weeping bitterly.
The same scenes were being enacted on the
Richmond side, while on the Petersburg Railroad
BRIDGE running parallel with the Free bridge and
close to It, were large numbers Of men vainly en-.
deavoring to rescue
MAN WHO WAS HERoIoALLY CLINaING
to the timbers Of the fifteenth span Of the Free
bridge, which but short time before had been
swept down, preciptating twelve men into the de-
vouring element Every eye on either shore was
fastened on the man cinging to the broken timber,
with the waters beating against him, sometimes
covering him entirely, and each moment expecting
to see him swept away. Ropes were thrown him
nom the railroad bridge, and, catching one Of
them, he succeeded by most superhuman efforts In
flashing himself to the timber. The water and
weather were both intensely cold but still the
man struggled for life. An hour had passed and
still he was bravely beating his hands on his body
to prevencSnem becoming benumbed. Now they
lowered boat from the railroad bridge,
which when it reached the water was
nearly turned bottom upwards before 1t was
allowed slowly to drift to the heroic man.
BOAT CANNOT ASSIST HIM.
Again and again he attempted to get into the
boat but failed, ana at this time the excitement
shore was 80 intense that it was with difficulty
some could be restrained from making the fool
hardy attempt to rescue him by endeavoring TO
swim to him. A disinterested gentleman on the
Richmond side at this juncture cried out,
give hundred dollars to anybody who will
rescue that man." But though many were
willing none were permitted to make the at
tempt. At last, by the sheer force Of despera-
ton, the man succeeded in getting into the boat;
but now his danger became greater than ever. II
he cut loose the rope by which he dashed to the
tlmbers and the boat swamped he was lost, and
every effort to either raise 1t out OF the river tow
1t across was unavailing. y .r
sAvED-MoRE DEAD THAN ALIVE.
At this time, nearly two hours since the span
fell, the crowd gave him up for lost and numbers
OF women had fallen on their knees praying for
him, when succor appeared from another source.
Mr. D. 8. Coirode, OF Philadelphia, came to the last
pier OF the bridge just where the fatal span had
to the dashed man in the boat. This he was seen
to SEIZE and with an undaunted bravery and cool
ness that ELECTED the admiration OF the spectators,
he tied 1t firmly around his body. After this he~
stood up in the boat, and, giving signal, Mr..
Cofrode and party began to pull him In. When
pulled from the boat he was swept down the
stream with terrible velocity, and for time dis
appeared from sight. Steadily the rope was
hauled in, and while the excited crowds held their
breath he was drawn to the pier, and in moment
or two more he was on the pier, nearly lifeless,
but saved. Then for the nrst time loud and hearty
cheers went up from both sides OF the river and
from the men on the bridge, and everybody
thanked God that one more was saved.
Ten OF the workmen went down with the span
three of these never were seen to rise again, aud
are supposed to have been crushed by the falling
timbers. Another drlfted short distance down
the river and soon sunk forever, which fills the
- NAMES OF THE DEAD AND INJURED.
Their names as follows:- ~
David Hanley, OF Media, Pa
John Harrison, OF Glover Hill, Va.
J. G. Haddon, Of Dinwiddie, Va. t
W. r. Cook OF New Hampshire, had his arm
broken and right leg badly injured, which was the
~'-'' HArRpREAprH ESCAPES.
Jessie Co1rode, of philadelphia, was swept nall q
mile down the river with another man, both cling
Msyos ropes !Ssm
which COfYrode seized, and, though nearly be-
numbed, he was pulled up . distance Of about
thirty feet and saved. The other man
was rescued by boat Two others
were picked up near the Danvilie Railroad
bridge by boats, while two others, including the
wounded man, were swept three-guarters Of mile
down the river, and were rescued at Captain Bah
cocks ice depot by some Of his employees.
George p. Lpsc0mb Is the name Of the brave man
who was rescued at the scene OF the disaster.
ALLEGED CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.
Upon investigation md the calamity cannot be
altogether attributed 70 the carelessness of the
builders, Cofrode 4 Co., OF Philadelphia. The
workmen were engaged upon the nfteentn span
Of the bridge, which ID within three spans
OF its terminus ct this side. The
trestle work was In, and the entire span
would have been completed in few hours
more had the workmen been enabled TO put In the