The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-06-02
A Floating Coffin.
GOING TO PIECES WITHOUT A MO-
MRNT's WARNING.
SIX HUNDRED EXCURSIoNTSTs THROWN
INTO THE RIVER NEAR LONDoN,
CANADA-oNE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY DEAD BODIES AL
READY RECOVERED.

London. Ont, May 24.-This even
ing at o'clock the steamer Victoria,
with over six hundred excursionists
on board, was returning Rom Spring
Bank and when near the Cove Rail-
way Bridge, one mile below the city,
the boat suddenly collapsed like an
eggshell and become total wreck,
level with the waters edge. All the
passengers were instantly plunged
into the stream, more than hall OF
them being underneath the debris.
The first news of the disaster which
reached the city was brought by sur
vivors, who struggled through the
streets wet and weary. The news fell
like thundcrbolt, and a stampede
took place for the spot. Arriving
there, horrible sight met their view.
Fifty or sixty bodies had already been
recovered and were lying on the bank.
Those arriving from the city from
every direction crowded around,
anxious to see ii any relatives were on
board. About 1000 families were
represented on the excursion aud the
wall of anguish that arose at the sight
OF the victims was hcartrending.
Fathers, mothers, brothers and
sisters rushing about panic-stricken
endeavoring to iudentifv their friends.
About I O'Clock 80 bodies We're re-
covered from under the wreck. Al
most every minute some victim was
brought TO the surface and conveyed
to the bank. The steamer Princess
Louise was early brought to the spot
and the victims were placed on the
upper decks. Fires were lighted on
the bank overlooking the river, pc
troleum torches were brought and the
search was continued until night.
RECOVERING TIE DEAD.
London, Ont, May 25.-The follow
ing account is furnished giving
further details of the terrible calamity
of yesterday. 1t was the first day o
the season for the excursion boats t.
run regular trips, and this circum
stance, taken in connection with the
public holiday, the anniversary Of th'
Queens birthday, naturally Dire"
crowds OF plea5ure-scekers to th'
river. Trips were made down til,
river Distance Of about four miles tC
Spring Bank, y place of popular re
sort, where the City Wafer Works ar,
located, and three or four local steam
boats took down large loads Of eN
cursionists at regular interyai!
throughout The day. About ocioci
, in the afternoon the Victoria Of tn,
Thames Navigation Company Lin'
started from the dock Oh her fourti
and last trip for the day with larg,
load of passengers Of all ages, variousl,
ea timated at from 800 to 600 in mum
Der. All went well on the down trip
| though the boat was 50 heavily ladei
that size shipped water in small guam
titles occasionally when the GROVE
would happen to surge to any par
! ticular side.
TIE FATAL HOsIEyARD TRIP.
On the return trip, when more thai
half way home, q slight commotio'
on the boat, said by some 10 have beer
caused by the playful pranks Of
number Of youths on the lower decI
and by others ascribad to the boa
striking on a sDag, causing the crow'
out Of curiosity to rush to one side,a
as the side OF the boat sank with th
additional weight. a volume Of water
Il foot or two in depth, poured in upo
the lower deck, which was cr0wde
with passengers. Instantly the crow
on both decks rushed to the oppo5it
side, and their weight, together wit
that of the water shipped by the boat
caused lurch from the opposite ii
rection. Then it was the disaster OK
Cured. The side of the boat sank /
the water to the depth of one or tw
feet. and while the crowd on Tn
lower deck were struggling to saw
themselves from slipping down int
the river, the stanchions suppOrtin
the upper deck suddenly gave way
and the whole structure, with il
load of human beings, came down o
those who were below, crushing thei
on the deck and rendering escape IN
possible. The scene that followe
cannot be described. The boat col
tinued to settle on its side deeper ini
the water, taking with it many Of IL
passengers who We're stunned by ii
fall of the upper deck and We're, ther
fore, unable to help themselve
Scores sank into the water withol
consciousness of their fate, viii
many others who were precipitatC
into the river unhuTt rent the air vii
their vain appeals for that succ
which those of the passengers wi
were safe were powerless to extend
all in a moment. The utmost e
ertions were put forth to rescue
, many of the drowning ones as pc
, sible, and many were in this Wa
saved from watery grave.
LAYING IN ROWS on THE GRASS.
As soon as possible help W
= secured and the work of rec9veril
= the bodies from the river and from {
wreck was proceeded with. I
bodies were placed Oh the steambC
! Louise as fast as they were brought