The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-06-01
Two Hundred and Thirty Eight
Bodies Recovered Up to
Midnight.
Scarcely a Family Circle i'm London
Which Death Has Not Invaded.
To-Day to be Observed as One of
Public Mourning by the Res
idents of London.
Full Particulars of the Accident, His
tory of the Boat and List of
the Dead.
THE vICToRIA's VICTIMS.
Two Hundred Bodies Rescued From the
Thames River-The List of the Drowned
Scenes at the River.

Two Hundred Bodies Rescued From the
Thames River-The List of the Drowned
Scenes at the River.
LONDON Ont, May 25.-The work OF
securing the dead from under the wreck of
the Victoria is still going actiyely on. One
hundred and seventy bodies have been re-
covered, and most of them brought to this
city. All the undertakers shops are be-
seiged, and coffins are going out by the
score. The crowds at the river banks, and
the steamers landing, have not diminished.
Among the identified are two daughters of
James Barnes. The list of identified is still
incomplete. A large number of bodies re-
main on the grounds at the Sulphur Springs
Baths awaiting claimants.
During the day large number of citizens
sought enjoyment in various excursions
eading from the city to adjoining towns,
and for others the chief outdoor attraction
was a series of steamboat excursions on the
Thames River. This enjoyment was
rendered more attractive from the fact that
this was the first day of the season for boats
to run regular trips, and this circumstance,
taken in connection with the public holi-
".
seekers to the river. The trips were made
down the river a distance of about four
miles to Spring Bank, place of popular
resort, where the city Water Works are
located, and three or four local steamboats,
took down large loads OF excursiOnists al
| regular intervals throught the day. About
o'clock the Victoria of the Thames Navigation
Company's line had stated from the dock
on the fourth and last trip for the day with
Ia nf Of all ari.
ously estimated at 400 TO 600. All went well
oR the down trip, though the boat was SC
heavily laden
SHE SKIPPED WATER
in small quantities occasionally when the
crowd would happen to surge to any partic-
ular side. On the return trip, when about
half way home slight COM
motion on the boat, said by some, to have
been playful freaks of a number of youths
on the lower deck and by others aScribed
to the boat striking on snag caused the
crowd, out of curiousity, to rush TO one side,
and as the side of the boat sank with the
additional weight, a volume of water, foot
ar two deep poured in upon
THE LOWER DECK,
which was crowded with passengers. In.
stqntly the crowd on both decks rushed to
the opposite side, and their weight together
4
caused il to lurch in the opposite direction
Then it was that the disaster occurred. The
side of the boat sank in water to the depth
| of one or two feet, and while the crowd on
the lower deck were struggling to save them
selves from slipping down into the river the
stanchiOns supporting the upper deck sud
denly gave way and the whole structure
with its
| LOAD OF HUMAN BEINGS
came down on those who were below, crush
| ing them on the deck and rendering escape
out of the question. 1t is impossible to de
scribe the scene that followed. The boa
continued to settle on its side deeper in the
water, taking with her many of the passen
gers who were stunned by the fall of the
upper deck and were unable to help them
selves Scores sank in the water without
the slightest effort TO save themselves, while
many others who were precipitated into the
river unhurt rent the AIR with their
| VAIN APPEALS
| for that succor which those of the passen
gers who were safe we're powerless to ex
tend. The utmost exertions were put fortl
| to rescue as many of the drowning ones a
possible, and many were saved from
watery grave. AS soon as possible help wa!
secured, and the work of
RECOVERING THE BODIES
| ITOI0 Tie TlNtI anu tIOl1 tut MItCh WdS pIO
ceeded with. The bodies were placed on tn,
steamboat Louise as fast as they wer,
brought up, and then taken to the Com
panys docks, where the task cf identified
tion began.
The accident occurred at about 6:15 an,
it was midnight before the bodies so far re
covered were brought back to the city
Here a most heart-rending scene ensued
The bodies, as soon as the transfer from tn
steamer, were
LAID GUT IN ROWS
on the grass by the river side, all in thei
holiday attire, and with the aid of torche
the faces were eagerly scanned by hundred
of anxious friends looking for their missin
ones. A goodly proportion of the browne,
are men in middle life, and many ar
children of tender age. Many were the wall
of sorrow that followed the Identification O
a relative. Perhaps it is mother who dis
covers her child, or children parent. On
man was heard inquiring
FOR POUR CHILDREN
As fast as the corpses were claimed the,
were taken in charge by their friends anC
removed to their homes. The utmost con
fusion prevails. 1t is impossible at presen
to secure complete list of the drowned. bu
many prominent citizens and their familie
are included in the number.
When the water was let off by the remova
of the plash boards, search was continued 70
those under the lower deck, and twenty-tw,
more bodies were brought to the surface
making about
| TWO HUNDRED IN ALL
recovered. 1t is not known how many more
| if any, are lost
The City Council met to-day and passe,
resolutions of coincidence. Settled gloon
reigns over the city. r. o. Montgomery,
leather merchant, of Toronto was on boar,
but escaped and succeeded in saving man,
others. He states that on the passage up tn,
Captain went among the passengers urginy
them TO keep on the other side. To one boz
be said: "For Gods sake keep on the othe