The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-01
lNE DESTROYING ANGEL.
A F low Of the Calamities
1872, Deceased.
CT 0 TNE WHEEL OF PROGRESS.
I'd Of the Ravages Of Fire,
water and Ether Red.
tn DEAD BY AcrlDE 2.
Property DESTROYED II Che l4etropolis
ia fhe safes.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
A Shocking Picture Of Human Suffering
80 and Inhuman Neglect
-<
RAILROAD SLAuGHTERS OF THE YEAR.
Melancholy Statistics for Lawmak-
ers and Philanthropists.
Butcherioo and Accidents Ascribed
to Providence.
PIE LISH RECOR
Melancholy Statistics for Lawmak'
ers and Philanthr0pists.
Br,tcherioo and Accidents Ascribed
to Providence.
PIE LISH RECORD.
Explosions, Collisions, Deaths by Drowning,
Street Car Accidents, Ordinary and Extra
ordinary Mishaps at Home and Abroad.

The year 1872, which has just gone out, will long
be remembered as one of the most remarkable for
the numerous and heavy disasters that have been
caused by the elements. Fire and water were &C.
tive In the work OF destruction; dOleful shipwrecks
~ sea and vast CONGREGATIONS on land, attended
with heavy loss of life, were of frequent occur
renee, and even commissions of nature were not
wanting to swell the catalogue Of calamities. The
great fire In Boston perhaps stands forth as the
heaviest destruction Of property and there have
be added the burning Of the Escurial In SPAIN the
narrow escape of the city OF Marseiles through the
skDl and daring Of the sailors of the American
neet; the National Palace in the city of Mexico |;
Warwick Castle and Canterbury Cathedral; but the
ares in this city during the past month, resulting
N the death of so many young women, are certainly
the saddest part Of the story Of the year. To give
Hist Of shipwrecks would occupy too large space
but there may pc mentioned the Metis, the Bien-
yilse ana the Missouri all Of which were lost and
greater portion OF their crews and passen-
yerq found watery graves. The Sacramento,
Guatemala, Nevada and St. Louis were also lost
during the past few months but fortunately with
Dut sacrifice Of life. The Denmark-formerly the
Great Republic, burned In New York In 1860
was also lost. The unexampled heat of July and
August brought forth It's crop of deaths by sun
stroke, ana the equally unexampled severity of the
present WluCcT mas resulted In nun0re0S OF marine
disasters that hardly find parallel in years past
Abroad there have been storms and foods. The
north Of Europe has suffered from both; but in
italy, France and India the latter have caused the
greatest damage.
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.
Below win be found list of fires, railroad acct
dents, explosions, &c. that have taken place during
lS52 In the United States. It presents shocking pic
ture OF the suGerings inflicted on thousands OF peo
plc and Of the vast destruction Of property. In
most OF the instances there can hardly be q doubt
Ihat II ordinary prudence was observed they never
would have taken place, and their number also
argue neglect in the enforcement OF the laws
BY those charged with the duty. Greed and reck-
ieseness, likewise, have had much to do in enarg-
ang these melancholy statistics. But, in any case,
t IL time our lawmakers should most seriously
turn their attention to providing for the better
protection OF the life and property OF our citizens
FolOwing the American catalogue Is q statement
showing the principal fires and railroad accidents
that occurred in Great Britain in 1872. There is
nothing to compare with the loss of life that has
occurred at CONGREGATIONS in this country, where
In the city Of New York alone thirty human beings
miserably persisted In burning buildings during the
past year. There must be better description OF
law in England, or, at least, the laws are better
put in forces but at all events, the loss Of life at
and land, owing to criminal deficiency of boats and
apologies for fire escapes, should meet the atten
ti0n of those entrusted by the people with their
protection, In these respects, without any further
delay.