The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-19
AN OPEN SWITCH.
1t Causes a Considerable
Smash Up.
MEMS LIVES IMPERILED.
Flying Coaches Crash Into Others
While Being Repaired at the
Sixteenth Street Shops.

There was a general smashup In the
Southern Pacific Company's shops at the
foot of Sixteenth street on Friday afternoon
about o'clock, and several men had mar
row escape from being crushed to death.
A CALL reporter heard of the affair yes
terday. and was able to CLEAN some particu-
lars. which were in part confirmed by an
examination of the premises.
Orders were received at the shops on FIJI
day afternoon 10 send several COACHES, that
had been repaired and fixed up, down TO
Fourth and Townsend streets.
The engineer before going on to Eigh-
teenth street for several coaches that were
stored there sbuuted coach into the car
penters' shop at Sixteenth street
The switchman jumped on the engine,
and, on reaching Eighteenth street, coupled
about half a dozen col aches onto the front
of the engine.
When all was ready the engineer put on
full steam and rushed the coaches down the
track. Just before they came TO the switch
leading into the carpenters shop at Six
teenth street the coaches were quickly I'M
coupled from the engine. the intention being
for them to run tile track considerable
distance. while the engineer shunted into
the shop for two other coaches that were
ready for the road.
The switch was however, open and
instead OF running along the main track
the coaches dashed into the carpenters
shop.
-Four carpenters were underneath coach
repairing it, while TWO others were at work
on bench at the end of tho shed In line
with the coaches that were being repaired.
There were also two or three men at work
inside the coaches.
Luckily some one noticed the coaches
rushing along the track leading into the
shop and sounded the alarm.
The men had barely succeeded in getting
out of the way when the flying coaches
crashed into those being repaired, the rear
one knocking into splinters the carpenters
bench, breaking down the big door Of the
''mlll' at the rear emo Of the shop. where
the lumber Is stored, and not bringing up
till half way into the mill" although the
floor of the mill" stands three or four feet
above the floor of the carpenters shop.
Such was the force of the collision that
heavy piece of machinery resting against
the door of the mill" was thrown several
yards forward as if 1t had been bag Of
chaff.
The ironwork and woodwork at the ends
of several Of the coaches were smashed
into pieces. and several of the windows
broken, the greatest damage being done 10
the two coaches that were under repair.
The loss will reach a considerable sum.
The shop alter the collision presented
scene Of general destruction, wreckage Of
every description being scattered here and
there.
The men whose lives were nearly sacri-
feed to some ones carelessness were as pale
as death. and for few moments could do
nothing but stare vacantly into each others
faces and breathe an inward prayer of
thankIulness for their escape.
The switchman. it is understood, declares
that after the engine left the shop to 60 on
10 Eighteenth street, be locked the switch,
some one maieiously opening It While he
was away.
There are others. however, who say that
the swtchman had. through carelessness,
left the switch open. as no one would be
gnilty Of rsking the lives OF several men by
unlocking 1t.