Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-26


Heartrending scenes Shameless
OVererOwdIng.
LONDON, ONT, May "a This evening,
at six O'Clock, the steamer Victoria, with
over six hundred excursionists on board,
was returning from Spring Bank, and when
near the Cove Railway bridge, one mile be-
low the city, the boat suddenly collapsed
like an egg shell, and became total wreck,
level with the waters edge. All the passen-
gers were instantly plunged into the stream,
more than one-half of them being under
meath the debris.
The first news Of the disaster which
reached the city was brought by the sur
vivors, who struggled through the streets
wet and weary. The news fell like a
thunderbolt, and Stampede took place for
the spot. Arriving there horrible sight
met their view.
Fifty or sixty bodies had already been re-
covered and were lying on the bank. Those
arriving from the city from every direction
crowded around anxious to see If any rela-
tives were on board. About ore thousand
families were represented on the excursion,
and the walls of anguish that arose at the
sight OF the victims were heartrending.
Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters
rushed about panic-strickep, endeavoring
to identify their friends.
By O'Clock about eighty bodies were
recovered from under the wreck. Almost
every minute some victim was brought 10
the surface and conveyed to the
bank. The steamer Pri1cess Louise was
early brought to the spot and the victims
placed on the upper deck. Fires were
lighted on the bank overlooking the river.
Petroleum torches were brought, and the
search was continued until night.
About 150 corpses have been secured.
Among the dead ale James Robertson, mana
ger of the Bank OF British North America;
j. C.. Meredith, clerk of the Dividend Court;
Vim. Mcbride, Assessor aud Secretary of
the Western Fair Association; Mrs. VIM.
Ashbury, VIM. NIillmaU, OF Montreal,
commercial agent, and his two sons, and j.
Rogers, plumber.
All is confusion at the present moment
The landing at the foot of Dundas street is
now crowded with people all waiting in
breathless expectation for the arrival of
the steamer Princess Louise with the
bodies. The total loss will aggregate 175.
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 fn-laW j. Siddons, of
the Customs service, lost one boy DR.. Or
onhYatekno lost boy aged ten. Miss Bay
lev is also lost. Among the missing are
also Alice Deadman, of New Brighton; Miss
Griffiths, of Bucks street and Alfred Trim
bell is probably lost. A tull list cannot yet
be obtained.
Everything is In the deepest confusion.
The newspaper stsffs. Ike all else, are sadly
demoral.zed, all having friends involved in
the calamity. The whole city seems almost
demented tonight. The accident was GER
tsiny due to gross carelessness. The boat
was overcrowded to a disgraceful extent.
Manager George Parish was expostulated
with by several at Spring Bank and was
urged not to let the boat 90 out in that over
| crowded condition, but he is reported to have
replied; "All right; / know my business"
or something Of that sort. Samuel Stewart,
/ a stove merchant, one of those who pro-
( tested d, left the boat at Spring Bank with
/ his family. Several hundred more remained
/ there unable to get passage, and had to
walk home, distance OF four miles, to
/ night, no conveyance OF any kind being
available. The telephone was in con-
slant use between the water works
/ and the city by friendly inquirers.
This disaster will put an end to the pleas
ure steamer business, as hereafter people
/ will not venture in them. The river, which
has been the subject Of many jokes and puns
on account of its supposed shallowness, is
in reality in many places twenty or thirty
feet deep.
! LONDON, ONT, May 25, 800 A. M-The
work of recovering the bodies at the scene
| of Yesterdays disaster is still going on ac-
lively. Up to this time one hundred and
| seventy have been found, and most of them
were brought to this city. All the under
takers shops are besieged, and coffins are
going out by the score. The crowds at the
FoN rfa Ian Afrarr haxT
not diminished. Among the bodies identi-
fed are those of two daughters of James
Burns The excitement seems to increase.
a large number of bodies remain on the
ground at the Sulphur Spring baths await
ing claimants.
Further details Of the scenes at the time
OF the occurrence of the terrible calamity of
yesterday have been received. The vessel
was so heavily laden that she shipped
water in small quantities occasionally when
the crowd would happen TO surge to either
side of the boat On the return
trip, when more than half the
way home, slight commotion
on the boat, said by some to have been
caused by the playful pranks OF numerous
youths on the lower deck, end by Others
ascribed to the boat striking on snsg,
caused the crowd out of curiosity to rush
to one side, and as the side of the boat
sank with the additional weight, volume
of water a foot or two in depth poured in
upon the lower deck, which was crowded
with passengers.
Instantly the crowd on both decks rushed to
the opposite side, and their weight, together
with that Of the water shipped by the boat,
caused a lurch in the opposite direction.
Then &c was that the disaster occurred. The
side of the boat sunk in the water to the
depth of two feet, and while the crowd on
the lower deck were struggling to save
themselves from slipping down into the
river, the stsncheous supporting the upper
deck suddenly gave way and the whole
structure, with its load of human beings,
came down on those who were below.
The scene that followed cannot be de-
/ scribed The boat continued to settle on
its side deeper into the water, taking with
it many passengers, who were stunned by
the fall of the upper deck, and were there
fore unable to help themselves, while many
who were precipitated into the river unhurt,
! rent the air with their vain appeals for sue
cor. which those OF the passengere who were
safe were pOWerless TO extend to all In s
| moment.
Twenty-Five more bodies were recovered
today from under the lower deck of the
vessel, making about two hundred in all re-
covered. It is not known how many more
| il any, are lost Almost all business is at a
stand still, and crowds line the streets dis
cussing the sad calamity. A solemn still
/ ness prevails iu the city. Flags are at half
mast, and the bells are tolling
LATER-Up to the present time, lO:5O p
m. 23S bodies have been recovered. 1t Il
believed that there are several yet beneath
the wreck.
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