The Hawaiian gazette., 1881-06-15
Steamboat Accident in Canada and Fear
full Loss of Life

LONDON, Ont, MAY 25th.-Last evening at six
O'Clock, the steamer Victoria, with over 600 eXcur
sionists on board, was running from Spring Bank
When near the Cove railway bridge, one mile
below the city the boat suddenly collapsed like
an egg-shell and became a total wreck level with
the waters edge. All the passengers were instantly
plunged into the stream. More than half of them
were underneath the debris.
The first news which reached the city was
brought by the survivors, who struggled through
the streets wet and weary. The news fell like a
thunderbolt, and a stampede took place for the
spot.
Arriving there, a horrible sight met the view
About 80 to 60 bodies had already been recovered
and were lying on the green sward some distance
up the bank. Several hundred families were re
presented on the excursion, and the wall of
anguish that arose at sight of the victims was
heartrending. The steamer Princess Louise was
early brought TO the spot and the victims placed
upon the upper deck. Fires were lit on the bank
overlooking the river and petroleum torches were
brought and SO the search was continued. The
total loss Will aggregate lI5
All is in confusion. The newspaper staffs, like
all else, are sadly demoralized all having frients
involved III the calamity. The whole city seemed
almost demented tonight. The accident was Ger
tainly due to gross carelessnesS. The boat was
overcrOwded TO a disgraceful extent. The man
ager, George Parish, eXpostulaIed with by
several persons at Spring Bank and urged not TO
let the boat 60 out in that overcrOwded condition,
but he is reported to have replied, All right l
know my business, or something of that sort.
Inc rips were lldOe uONu river IOur miles 10
Spring Bank, a popular resort. Three four
steamers are plying there daily. The Victoria
made her last trip at PM, with large load,
variously estimated at from 400 to COO persons.
THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER.
The boat shipped water on the down trip, but
all went well until the return. When over half
way home, from some pranks of playful youths on
the lower deck, perhaps the boat striking a
snag, caused a rush TO one side, when the water,
to the depth of foot or two broke over the lower
deck, which was crowded with passengers. In
stantly the crowd on both decks rushed to the
opposite side and their weight and the water al
ready shipped caused urch in the opposite direc-
ton, and the boat sank one or two feet. While
save themselves from slipping into the river the
stanchiOns gave way, and the whole upper deck,
with Its load of human beings, came down on those
below, crushing and imprisoning them. 1t is i'm
possible 10 describe the scene that followed. The
boat continued settling sideways, drowning many
who were stunned by the fall OF the upper deck
and were unable to help themselves. Scores sank
in the water without any effort to save themselves
while many Others, vino were precipitated into the
river unhUrt, rent the air with their vain appeals
for succor, which those of the passengers who
were safe were powerless to extend. As soon az
possible, help was secured, and the work of re
covering the bodies proceeded. The bodies were
placed on the steamboat Louise as fast rs brought
up and then taken 10 the Company's dock where
the task of identification began The accident
occurred ut quarter past six o'clock, and il was
midnight before the bodies were brought back to
the city.