The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-11
THE 0CEANP0RT DISASTER.
MIRACULOrs EsCiPE or ETTE or THE
COMPINIrS EMPLOYEES
At the Scene Of tho wreck -Four OF the
Wounded In Critical Condition The
Death OF Mr.. q. n. Nermuie-The Inquest.

LOSG BRANCH, Aug. 10.-Thc scene OF the
disaster on the Central Railroad Of New Jersey,
between Orcanport and Branchport. was a re-
sort to-day for the summer dwellcrs here The
ride Of about four miles from the beach was
taken 10y so many that the road was at times
lined with carriages. At the bridge over Ocean
port crock where the disaster occurred. the
wrecked train lay partly in the shallow stream.
and 1ny men were at work mt It. The locomo-
tive was simply n pile Of broken iron, and the
baggage ear. which had been removed from
atop Of It. wis shattered completely. n very
small portion retaining its shape. Five en-
ployces Of the company were in the locomotive
and the baggage ear when they went of the
bridge. and how they escaped with only COM
parativcy slight hurts was subject for wonder
by all who looked at the ruins. The three pas
scngcr ears were lying on their sides and were
not much broken except as to running gear.
Many persons would have been drowned had
the water been deep enough to submcrge the
ears. The bridge was only slightly damaged.
and trains are passing over II ~ usual. track
IL being laid from the edge Of the stream to a
near point ON the line. and ON TINS temporary
branch the three passenger cars viii be- rightcd
and renewed. The locomotive and the bag
gage ear are past mcndng.
Those OF the wounded who had bccn taken to
hotels aud cottages near the disaster wer" near
~ all taken away to-day. the exceptions being "a
I9w who ,ar. SUI II critical ,ondnIon. Mrs
Henry White Of ParkorNille, y. j.. IA at the
Park House. q eanpur, and her recovery Is
improlnnlr, Her hurt Is q conrus-ion II the
BRAN. q. :. Sanburn of Elizabeth. suffering
from an injury of tho bach remains in the same
hotel. In Mrs. Smach's boarding cottage, the
nearest house tn tho bridge. only on" uf the
scoro at. more who had been taken there re-
mains. and she If suffering from nervousness
mainly hgyn. been almost drowned aud terri
hly a"Ar'd Indeed. the suddrn plunge into tho
water was 50 frightening tn the women and
children. n no, to the mon. that most Of the in
lurI'- came of their Wild struggles. Had they
known thut nll danger WIS over they might
have climbed ont Of the windows leIs-
ur'ly. Several children wrr rescued from
toe water with difficulty. but adults
were only waist deep in 1t when they stood ny.
\ son ot state senator Campbell of Woodbridge.
y. j.. remains in Capt Henry Eiwards's cot
wounded. ns far az can boz ais 'crtaincd. number
about eighty. but the wounds in three iourths
is that 81 G. Edward Vcrmuic. who expired
early this morning. II" WAS tsOn of Dr. james
\crnuc who j. now ln japan and a nephew
oi theS nat9r Campbell m'niion'd above. His
visible tuiuri consisted of triiling copiusions
gnly. and twas some lntcrnaltrouole that Killed
hun.
An Inquest was begun to-day. and It pro-
cotdcd only So far n an examination OF the
bridge and the wr'"k by Coroner Gugcr and
the jury. The Investigation. which the Cor
oucr promises Will Dee thorough. Will ~ on to-
morrow. An on Ger II summonin- witnesses
this evening. -ele. ting ihos" who know some
igng about the condition ul the drawbridge.
Tine railroad on 'lHis are disposed e. PUT
tho blame on John Conron or his son.
bridge keepers. ON The ground that the
draw could not have been mlsularod eN-
cvpt through their curelc-~nes-. The father
says he went on duty at o'clock in the
morning. and that The draw was not open while
he WIS there. hui D." dii not look 10 scc whether
u WI, locked IA place. IL IT should he Young
tNuruu WAS ON duty during the previous night.
H. says that he op ned the draw several times
TO- Jet Yachts through. hut trains passed safely
niirrward. III" keepers SAY the tram must have
thrown tue tracks out of JOINT AT the rirr II
%" draw. hut that II not regarded H. possible.
several witnesses are expected 10 swear that
the draw has h-,n careless kept. and that DOy >
had u chance 10 ttmp"r with II.