Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-07-01
HORRIBLE ACCIDENT RECALLED

hhSlneeFs AT the Round House, This
City Discuss the Trasedy-The Nor
walk CatastrOphe-Appotn of
Il. Parker Trowbrtdge as Statioaer
of 1.-THE ROad-GcneraI Railroad News
of Interest.
Three or four days ego several Of the
older engineers of the Consolidated road
gathered about the Office of Engine Des-
patcher Edwin Chatterton in the round
house short distance below the depot
They were waiting for orders to take their
engines out on the road. To while away
the time they told stories of railroad life
and the accidents in which few of them
had been. During the course of the COZ
versation one of the engineers asked
another in what year the great disaster
took place at tho drawbridge at South Nor
walk. The answer was that ii was in the
year 1857 or whereabouts. Some Of the en-
gineers doubted the statement. saying that
1t occurred many years earlier. At last
Engine Dispatcher Chstterton WAS ap-
pealed to fer an answer. He stated that
at that time in the employ of the New
York and New Haven road and was st the
scene of the accident the day of its occur
renee. But to be sure of his facts he in
formed the anxious engineers that he had
newspaper at home containing full &C.
count of the disaster, and that he would
bring 1t to the round house and satisfy all
concerned of the exact date.
All the engineers were fully satisfied YES
terday. Engine Dispatcher Chatterton
brought copy of the New York Illustrat-
ed News of May 81, 1858, to the round
house. 1t contained partial account of
the greatest railroad accident that ever &C
Cured in the New England ssstes, not even
excepting that of few years ago at White
River Junction or one q short time later
least fifty lives were lost, and in the others
not more than one-half that number lost
their lives. There are many people in
New Haven who we'll remember the ACCT
dent and the feeling of horror 1t occasicned
throughout the country. But there are
thousands of people to whom 1t is not
known in the least, and through the cour-
tesy of Edwin Chatterton portion of the
account of the disaster in the illustrated
News under the date of May 81, 1858, Ia
given
rather, accidental massacrss, which of late
have become SO fearfuly frequent, occurred on
railroad, At Norwalk, Conn The moenine A, ex.
press train was advancing at full speed The
drawbrid4e where the catastrophe occurred was
opened to admit the passage of the steamboat
Pacific, and the signal was accordingly lowered
Of this the engineer lTuckerI took no notice
and consequently the engine, baggage car and
two OF the passenger cars dashed headlong into
the river, which was there twelve feet deep. So
great was their speed that the engine struck
literally making a leap Of sixty feet!
The scene which ensued was ose OF fodescrib.
st
BY drowning. But six or seven escaped of those
who were In the cars; among these several CON
to bet out =, s they SUB
were five in AID broke in two, its fragments
hanging over the edge, and several of the pas.
sengers were thrown into the stream.
1.-The blame appears to have been attached to
the engineer, since it is difficult to imagine any
paiation for impeli.g train Of cars rapidly at
is said to have been unqualified by experiences Tor
the post which he occupied. Among the dead is
the day before. She died in her bridal robes. Her
husband escaped with slight injuries.
ing from the medical cenvention Tbs histnry
OF the hair breadth escapes effected by different
persons on this occasion, would form a volume"
now alive. Engineer Tucker was discharged
from from the employ Of the company, and about
ern town. Fireman Elmer's son is now an
engineer in the employ Of the Consolidated road
and runs the switch engine at Stamford.
CONSOLIDATED RAILROAD JorTINGs,
z. Parker Trowbridge Of this city has been ap
pointed stationer OF the Consolidated railroad
with headquarters at New Haven. The appoint
ment dates from July I. Mr.. Trowbridee's
special duty will be to look after all the station
cry and printing for the Consolidated road and
its branches.
The railroad commissioners held a meeting in
Stratford yesterday in reference to the grade
crossings In that and adjacent towns
To-day an important change goes ioto effect in
the train despatcher's Office. To day will be in
augurated the new plan whereby each of the
stead of ten and twelve, as heretofore. The
change is much appreciated by the employees
A regular meeting Of New haven division No.
n, brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, will
be held In Engineers hall, this city, July 2 at
1880 a. m. Business Of Importance is to come
before the meeting. Several more limitations
will take place.