Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-05-27
TERRIBLE DISASTER,
An Excur.ion Steamer Wrecked,

OVER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY LIVES LOST.
LONDON, Ont, May 24.-As the steamer
Victoria was returning from Spring Bank,
with over GOO excursionists, when near the
Cove railway bridge, mile below this city,
she suddenly collapsed like egg shell and
became total wreck, level with the waters
edge. AL the passengers were iu-
stan!iy plunged into the stream,
more than half being underneath the
debris. The first news reaching this
city was brought by survivors, who struggled
through the streets, wet and weary The news
fell like thunder-bolt and stampede took
place for the spot. Arriving there a horrible
sight met the eye. Fifty or sixty bodies had
already been recovered and were LAYING Oh
the green sward, some distance up the
banks. People from the city crowded around.
anxious TO see if relatives were aboard. About
one thousand families were represented on the
excursion, and the vail of anguish that arose at
the sight of the victims was heartrendinr.
Fathers, mothers brothers and sisters rushed
about panic-stricken, enGeavoring to iienti-
by friends. BY seven o'clock about eighty
bodies were recovered from under the
wreck where the water is some twelve
feet deep. Almost every minute
sOlilt NlItlll ID 10 the SllTIQce.
and conveyed to the bank. The steamer
Princess Louise was early brought to the
spot and the victims placed on her upper
decks. Fires were lit on the bank overlook
ing the river, and petroleum torches brought
and the search continued until night. Up
to the present about $50 corpses have been
secured.
TWO HUNDRED BODIES RECOVERED.
n.
covering bodies is still going actively on. Up
to this time 10 bodies have been recovered.
All the undertaker's shops are beseiged, and
cotfins are going out by scores The crowds
at the river bank and steamer landing have
not diminished. The list of identified is still
incomplete. A large number of bodies re-
main on the ground at the Sulphur Springs
baths, awaiting claimants. Mr.. Matthews,
night editor OF the Advertiser, lost his wife
and two children Harry Smart of the Free
Press lost his wife, two children and sister
in-law. All is in the deepest confusion and
newspaper stalls, like all else, are sadly de
moralized, many journalists having friends
concerned in the calamity. The accident
was due 10 gross careleSsneSs. The boat
was overcrowded TO disgraceful
extent. Manager George Parish was ex-
posulated with by several at Spring
Bank, and urged not To let the boat go out
in that overcrowded condition. but he is
reported to have replied ''All right l
know my business" This disaster will put
an end to the pleasure steamer business, as
the people will not again risk their lives.
The river, which has been the subject of
many jokes and puns, on account of its sup
posed shallowness, is, in reality, in many
places twenty or thirty feet deep.
When the water was let off this forenoon,
search was continued for those under the
lower deck and twenty-five more bodies were
brought TO the surface, making about two
hundred in all recovered. 1t is not known how
many more, if any, were lost. A settled gloom
hangs over the city and almost all business is
suspended. A passenger states that on the
way up the captain went among the pas
sengers urging them to keep on the other
side. To one boy he said, ''For Gods sake,
keep on the other side. If you don't you will
have TO swim ashore" A little later he saw
the water pass over the deck and the boiler
go by board, when the crash Immediately
took place. The burial of many of the VIC
Tins took place this afternoon. Flags were
at half mast and the bells were tolled