The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-01-20
oSA HUNDRED SKATERS GO IN.

othor Accident--No Lives Lost, Owing to
the Shallow water--IntcnSo Excitemont
Throughout London.
What might have proved to have
been q most serious disaster accident,
rivalling the disaster of 1867, occurred
on the 10Th inst. in Regents Park,
London. The weather was delightful,
though a thaw had set in, and tho lakes
in tho parks were crowded with skaters
who have had a "royal time" of it
during the recent severe weather
throughout Great Britain. AS there
was a prospect that a thaw would soon
put an end to the sport, an unusual
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 a hundred men,
women and children were submerged
in the chilling water beneath. a CRY
of horror arose from the vast throne
of people on tho leo and in the neigh.
borhood of the lakes, while those who
were lucky enough to escape made a
hasty scramble for tho shore The
"life-savcrs" and police, assisted by
hundreds of volunteers, soon pulled
out the drenchcd plcasurc-scekers
lioilt I'LL III Sluoo vi hVsttlIlR ice.
| Women and children naturally suffered
the most from their involuntary cold
bath, but up TO the present, thanks to
the fact that the water was not very
deep. no serious results huuc been re-
ported. Intense excitement prevailed
throughout London when the news OF
she accidcnt was spread throughout
the city, mhny recalling the fatal 18TH
of January, 1867, when, in the same
park, at least two hundIed people
were suddenly subme, ged through the
breaking OF the ice, forly-one of whom
were drowned.
Previous to the calamity of 1867
there were n 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
N OF fearful magnitude. The icencn
had openly expressed opinions that
the ice was unsafe, being formed
chiefly of melted snow, yet about 800
skaters were permitted to exercise
upon it on the afternoon in question,
and over two thousand people watched
theirgracetul movements with pleasure.
Suddenly, and without any warning,
the ice at the sides gave way and in Il
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 Hat upon the surface of
the broken ice, and thus preserved
their W lives and were Instrumental
in saving others. AS it was, at least
200 persons were at M limo strug-
CLING in the water and uttcring heart
rending appeals for assistance. The
ice men on duty, assisted by hundreds
of spectators and the police, did their
best to drag people to laud, but 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 on top Of their
struggling forms. Men, women and
ahildren were seen clinging to the
edges of the broken ice, shouting TO,
assistance, which those who witnessed
their sufcrings were powerless t.
render, and in q brief time, chilled anC
benumbcd, sank with II few fain,
""'So =" thS ~ SllOlls
force of police was soon on the $40
and rendered great service in pre-.
serving order and permitting system.
attic efforts to be mad forrecovcringth thu
bodies. The number drowned was
finally found to be forty-one, and tho
calamity threw n feeling of sadpcss
over the entire metropolis. Aftor this
event the newspapers were crowded
with communications suggesting plans
for preventing the recurrence of sucl
a disaster, among them being the fill.
ing up Of the lakes to a certain depth,
the latter suggestion, being acted upon
shortly afterwards, and it is doubtless
due to this fact that no lives were los
by the recent catastrophe.
Regents Park is situated in tn,
northern portion of London, ant
covers an area of 40 acres, occupying
the site of Mnrylebone Park, which il
the time of Queen Elizabeth was usc,
as a bunting ground. Regents Pnrl
owes its preservation to the intention
of George III. to erect a royal palace
within lis grounds. The Park con
tains the gardens Of the Geological
Society and of the Royal botanical
Society, as well as The grounds of .
few private villas. In summer time
the northern half Of the park is devoted
to cricket, and In the southeast corncl
there is a flower garden of antique
design. The artificial lake, the seen,
of the late accident, is situated in tn,
southwest portion of the park.