Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-07
ACCIDENT ON THE CABLE ROAD.
Two Trains in Collision on the Brooklyn
Side-One Man Killed and Several In.
jured-The Accident Caused by a DE.
fective Clutch.
New YORK. Dec. 3

New YORK, Dec 5.
An accident occurred on the Brooklyn side
of the East river bridge railroad this after.
noon. Two trains came in collision. One
man was killed and two or three others had
legs or arms broken. The failure of the grip
to work on the cable is suppos
ed to have been the cause of the accident 1t
happened at the hour when the cars are most
crowded by the stream setting towards New
York and run with the least headway. The
rain increased the crush at the Brooklyn en-
trance today. and when a two-car train start
ed out from the Brooklyn terminus it
was loaded to its utmost capacity. The plat
forms of both cars were packed. The train
had gone to within $50 yards of the Brooklyn
tower, when the grip on the cable gave out,
and 1t came to stop. then began, despite the
efforts of the brakeman to stay 1t, to back
down the incline, first slowly, then with in-
creased speed, until 1t swept around the curve
near the Brooklyn end with the swlttness of
deer. Another train had just left the Brook
lyn platform, and caught on to the cable,
when the preceding train was seen to display
danger signals. 1t stopped promptly, and
began to back toward the station. But it was
too late. The passengers on both trains saw
the danger and rose to their feet in alarm. A
scene of terror ensued. Escape was impos-
overtaken, and the two crashed together in a
common wreck. Shrieks of pain and horror
arose from the surging mass of struggling
and bleeding men and women, while
the police and train hands, with the passen-
gers waiting on the platform, ran to the res
cue. AmbulaDces and police were summoned,
and responded promptly. The platforms OF
the cars were smashed, and the ends of two
of them more or less damaged. Conductor
Myers, who was standing on the rear plat
form of the second train, was jammed in be-
tween the broken ends of the cars, and had
to be cut out of the wreck. Victor Scham-
burg, young clerk, was similarly imprison-
ed, and was extricated with much difficulty
When all who needed help we're attended to,
the police presented the following list of
casualties:
F. E Myers, conductor, breast crushed
and severe internal INJURIES general bruises.
John Dwyer, shoemaker, Brooklyn, back
sprained, ribs broken, and breast badly
bruised.
Victor Schaumburg, clerk, Brooklyn, leg
broken, foot nearly cut off, severe internal
injuries.
F. Baker. silversmith, Brooklyn, ankle
broken, chest crushed, general bruises
A passenger who refused police assistance
and would not give his name, was badly hurt
and rode home in a coach
number of others sustained minor bruises
but hurried to New York or their homes by
way of the ferry. The wreck was soon clean
ed away, and travel on the bridge was re-
sumed within half an hour. The investigs-
ton begun by Chief Engineer Martin after
the accident left the precise cause of the ac-
cident in doubt. 1t appeared from the facts,
as learned by him, that three trains were in
volved. The chief damage was done by col
lision between the second and third trains.
Mr. Martin made the following official
statement At SIS this morning a two-car
train left the Brooklyn station and reached
the Brooklyn tower, where, for some reason
to me at present unknown, this train came to
a stop. The following train was signalled,
and also came to a stop, and commenced to
back toward the station. The following train g,
which had just left the station, ran into the
rear of the second train, and it was due to
this collision that the principal damage was
DONE Conductor Myers was on the rear of
the second train, and was injured. have not
vet received his statement. These are the
facts as far as l at present know them.