The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-01-20
On. HUNDRED SKATERS GO IN.

The Regent Park Lakes the Scene of An
other Accitient--So Lives Lost. Owing to
the Shallow Water--Intense Excitement
Throughout London.
What might have proved to have
been most serious disaster accident,
rivalling the disaster of 1867, occurred
on the 10Th inst. in Regents Park,
London. The weather was delightful,
thoug, thaw had Set III, and the lakes
in The parks were crowded with skaters
who have had "royal tisne'' of it
during the recent severe weather
throughout Great Britain. AS there
was prospect that ttaw would SOON
put an end to the sport, All unu>uai
number Of persons were enjoying
themselves on the ice. Suddenly there
was a series of loud, cracking reports,
and the ice on one Of the ponds gave
way and at least hundred men,
women and children were submerged
in the chilling water beneath. \ CRY
of horror arose from the vast thron"
| of people on the ice and in the neigh.
borhood of the lakes, while those VIII,
were lucky enough to escape made
hasty scramble for the shore. The
sslife-savers" and police, assisted by
hundreds of volunteers, soon pulled
out the drenched pleasure-seekers
| from amid the slabs OF floating ice.
Women and children naturally suffered
| the most from their involuntary cold
bath, but up 10 the present, thanks to
the fact that the water was not very
deep. no serious results haue been re-
ported. Intense excitement prevailed
throughout London when the news Of
the accident was spread throughout
the city, many recalling the fatal 18th
of January, 1867, when, in the same
park, at least two hundred people
were suddenly subme, ged through the
breaking OF the ice, forty-one Of whom
were drowned.
Previous to the calamity of 1867
there were a long series of isola' ed
accidents on the ice, which did not
seem to have put the authorities upon
their guard, which was crowned by
one of fearful magnitude. The iceneu
had openly expressed opinions that
the ice was unsafe, being formed
chiefly Of melted snow, vet about $50
! skaters were permitted to exercise
upon it OH the afternoon in question,
and over two thousand people watched
their graceful movements with pleasure.
Suddenly, and without any warning,
the ice at the sides gave way and in d
few seconds the entire sheet split up
into fragments a few yards square.
A general rush was made to the banks,
which, unfortunately, broke up the
soft ice into smaller pieces. Scores of
skaters who had been enjoying them~
selves on its surface slipped down be-
tween the pieces and appeared to be
at once sucked under the ice. a few,
with great presence Of mind, threw
themselves fat upon the surface of
the broken ice, and thus preserved
their own lives and we're instrumental
in saving others. AS it was, at least
200 persons were at one time strug-
Cling in the water and uttering heart
rending appeals for assistance. The
ice.men on duty, assisted by hundreds
of spectators and the police, did their
best 10 drag people to l.nd, bnt in the
excitement Of the first moments sur
prise many went down never to rise
to the surface again alive, the slabs of
broken ice floating OH top of their
struggling forms. Men, women and
ahildren were seen c!inging- to the
edges Of the broken ice, shouting for
assistance, which those who witnessed
their suferings were powerless to
render, and in brief time, chilled and
Demanded, sank with few faint
waves above the water. A strong
force of police was soon on the spot
and rendered great service in pre-
serving order and permitting system
attic efforts 10 be mad .forrecoveringt the
bodies. The number drowned was
finally found to be f"rty-one, and the
calamity threw feeling of sadness
over the entire metropolis. After this
event the newspapers were crowded
with communications suggesting plans
for preventing the recurrence of such
disaster, among them being the fill
| ing up of the lakes to certain depth,
the latter suggestion, being acted upon
shortly afterwards, and it is doubtless
due to this fact that no lives were lost
by the recent catastrophe.
Regents Park is situated in tn
! northern portion Of London, aud
covers an area of 40 acres. occupying
the site of Marylebone Park, Which in
the time Of Queen Elizabeth was used
as hunting ground. Regents Park
owes lis preservation TO the intention
of George III. to erect royal palace
within lis grounds. The Park con-
tains the gardens of the geological
! Society and Of the Royal Botanical
Society, as well rs the grounds Of a
few pG;yate villas. In summer time
the northern half of the park is devoted
to cricket, and In the sou,hcst corner
there is flower garden of antique
design. The artificial lake, the scene
of the late accident, is situated in The
southwest portion Of the park.
JOHN SHERMAN ELECTED.