The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-06-02
additional Particulars.

A telegram from London dated Nav
Is, gives the following additional particulars
of the loss of the steamer Victoria:
During yesterday large number of citizens
sought enjoyment in the various excursions
leading from the city to the adjoining towns,
and for others the chief outdoor attraction
was 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 on
regular trips, and this circumstance taken in
connection with the public holiday, naturally
drew large crowds of pleasure-seekers to the
river. The trips were made down the river
bank, place of popular resort, where the
city water works are located, and three or
our local steamboats, took down.
LARGE LOADS OF ExCURsIONIsTs
at regular intervals throughout the day.
About 4 O'Clock in the afternoon the Victoria,
OF the Thames Navigation Company's line,
started from the dock on her fourth and last
trip for the day, with large load of passen-
gers of all ages, variously estimated at from
4oo to 6oO. All went well on the down trip.
though the boat was SO heavily laden that she
shipped water in small quantities occasionally
when the crowd would happen to surge to any
particular side. On the return trip, when
more than halfway home, a slight commo-
ton, saio by some to have been playful pranks
of a number of youths on the lower deck, by
them ascribed to the boat striking on a snag,
caused the crowd out of curiosity to rush to
one side, and as the side of the boat sank with
the additional weight, a
VOLUME OF WATER,
q foot or two in depth, pured in upon the
lower deck, which was crowded with passen-
gers. 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 lurch in the opposite direc-
ton. Then it was that the disaster occurred
The side of the boat sunk in the water to the
depth of one or two feet, and while the crowd
on the lower deck were struggling to save
themselves from slipping down into the river,
the stanchions supporting the upper decks
suddenly gave way, and the whole structure
with its load of human beings came down
upon those who were on deck; and render
ing escape out of the question. 1t is
IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE THE SCENE.
The boat continued to settle deeper on it's
side, taking with 1t many of the passengers
who were stunned by the fall of the upper
deck, and who were unable to help themselves
Scores sank in the water without an effort
while many who were precipitated into the
river unhurt, rent the air with their vain APP
peals for that succor which those Of the pas
sengers who were safe were powerless to
extend. The utmost exertions were put forth
to rescue as many of the drowning ones as
possible, and many were saved from a watery
grave. AS soon as possible help was secured,
and the work of recovering the bodies from
the river and from the wreck was proceeded
with. The bodies were placed on the steamer
Louise as fast as they were brought up, and
taken to the com pany's dock, where
THE TASK OF IDENTIFICATION
began. The accident occurred at about
quarter past 6, and it was midnight before the
bodies, SO far as recovered, were brought back
to the city. Here most heartrending scene
ensued The bodies, as fast as transferred
from the steamer, were laid out in rows on
the grass, by the river side, all in their holi
faces were eagerly scanned by hundreds of
friends looking for their missing ones. A
goodly proportion of the drowned are men in
middle life, and many are children of tender
age. Asany
WERE THE Walls OF SORROW
which followed the identification of relatives,
perhaps of a mother who discovered her hid
or children parent. One man was heard
enquiring for four children. As fast as the
corpses were claimed they were taken in charge
by their friends, and removed to their homes.
The utmost confusion prevails. It is impos-
sible at present to secure complete list of the
drowned, but many prominent citizens are in
cluded in the number.
MORE DEAD RECOVERED.
When the water was let off by removal OF
the plash boards the search was continued for
those under the lower deck, and twenty one
more bodies were brOu .ht to the surface. It
is not known how many more, if any, are
lost.
Up to twelve o'clock D. m. of the day of the
accident 23S bodies had been recovered. It is
certain that Others are to be found on the
debris of the steamer, and it is possible that
the total mum Der will never be known.