The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-10
Loss ABOUT $4,000.
Additional Particulars Concerning tn
Accident.

Additional Particulars Concerning the
Accident.
The open draw-bridge on the San Fran
cisco and North Pacific Railroad at o'clock
yesterday morning, by which a train was
ditched entailed the loss of merchandise
valued at $4,000. The through freight
train to Ukiah ON the night trip carried con-
signments of merchandise not only for the
objective point but also for Santa Rosa,
Guerneville and other way stations.
The train, it appears, was so heavily
laden that one engine could not draw 1t
over the grade between Tiburon and Peta-
luna, and accordingly the train was broken
up into sections of six cars each. which were
in turn pushed to the top of the grade.
When one section had climbed the grade it
was allowed to run down toward PetaIuma
Creek in charge of brakeman, while the
engine returned for another section.
The supposition was that te draw-bridge
was closed across the creek. The keeper of
the bridge is required to flash white lig hit
when trains can safely cross, and a red light
when the bridge is open. When the cars
reached the crown of the hill schooner
was passing up Petaluma Creek, the draw
bridge being open.
WHAT LIGHT WAS BURNING?
The brakeman insists that white light
was burning on the bridge, while the keeper
says the red light was flashed. As the c0lOrs
could hardly be confused in the darkness of
the night, an investigation will probably de-
termne which of the two employees is mis-
taken. However, the cars ran down the
hill at full speed, the brakeman perceiviDg
when too late the open draw bridge.
To save his life he jumped off the cars,
which shot into the water. just missing the
schooner's stern. The freight. which was
valuable, was almost totally ruined. Five
of ho tain han ndi
including tea, sugar, silks and woolen goods.
In the sixth car were two fine JERSEY cows,
destined for the ranch of DR.. O'Donnen in
Sonoma County. The cows were drowned.
THE TOTAL LOSS.
The total loss, which is estimated at S40,-
600, will be borne almost entirely by the
railroad company. Upon receipt in San
Francisco of the news of the accident
wrecking g-engine and two locomotives were
dispatched to the scene of the accident.
The cars were pulled out OF the creek with
all possible speed, but some burst in the
process. the freight falling back into the
water.
The creek was cleared so that the draw
bridge could be closed, and the trains were
running as usual yesterday afternoon, al
though the / 80 o'clock boat was detained
half an hour. Passengers from Ukiah and
intermediate points yesterday morning were
ferried across the creek ana placed on an
0tner Train, arriving IN tHo CITY TWO nOurS
late, the steamer Ukiah making special
trips for the accommodation of the belated
passengers.
The accident almost caused another post
ponement of the picnic arranged by the
Sons of st. George to be held at Glen Ellen.
w. ii. Mention, Passenger Agent of the
road, made arrangements, however, that
the picnic should be held at San Rafael,
and escorted the members of the society to
the grounds at the SchuetZen Club Park,
where jolly day was spent.
THE ROAD ALL CLEAR.
Assistant Passenger Agent Mention re-
turned from the wreck last evening" and
stated to representative of THE CALL
that the road Is clear and in good condition
for business to-day. All trains will be run
on schedule time