The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-13

LONG ISLAND CITY, L, L. Jan. 12.
m BOUT sixty men were thrown
IAN into Newtown creek tonight by
Jl( the collapse of section OF \
II U temporary draw bridge over the
creek connecting Bradley avenue at
Laurel Hill, with Meeker avenue.
Brooklyn. Just how many men
were drowned cannot as yet be
determined. The following were on
the bridge at the tins and have
not been seen since; Patrick Briody,
H. Markey, George Mills. Michael Nc
Gurky and James Smith. They were
all employees of the Laurel Hill Chem.
ical works, Mills being foreman there.
Timothy Cannon, of 10S Eckford street,
Brooklyn, was brought to st. Johns
hospital, this city. One Of his feet was
badly crushed and he was cut about
the head.
The section of the bridge that fell
was draw thirty feet long. 1t was
built Of wood and rested on the centre
abutment from which point another
section continued on tue Brooklyn
side The draw on the Brooklyn side
was open. 1t was low tide and a tug
was trying to force schooner through
the draw. 1t was a few minutes be-
fore o'clock and the bridge was
crowded with men from nearby
factories anxious to get to their
homes in Brooklyn.
HENIIED TO THEIR FATE
Suddenly there was a cracking of
timbers and the draw broke in two.
The men made an effort to get off but
the jam on the shore end of the bridge
prevented their making their escape.
They fell into the water ia heap, aud
then commenced q wild struggle for
life. Some climbed on to the wrecked
draw, while others sought safety in
swimming for the shore. A passing
tug picked up a number and landed
them on the Brooklyn side where they
were attended BY surgeons from Brook.
lyn hospitals.
The work of rescue was difficult
one, as there were no email boats at
hand. Ropes were thrown out to
some Of the men and they We're hauled
ashore in that manner. During the
work Of rescue there were some lively
scenes in the water. Men struggled
with each other in their frenzy to es-
cape. Some hauled under water and
nearly drowned by those whom they
were trying to assist
Thomas Dobbins, of Meeker avenue,
Brooklyn, reached the scene in row
boat in time to save four men who
were point of sinking. The captain Of
the schooner rescued over dozen men,
He got away before his name or that
of his vessel could be learned.
CRAWLING OUT OF THE WATER.
After striking the water the draw
broke in two pieces and in an instant
both were covered with men. Some
managed to climb up clear of the
water, while others hung on to keep
their heads above water. 1t took con-
siderable time to get all the men
ashore AS fast as they were landed
they swere taken to Toner'S Penny
Bridge hotel and filled up with stimu-
lents. Many of the rescued had close
calls and for long time after they
were brought ashore they were unable
to tell how they got there. The wreck
draw had not bSen used in three weeks,
owing to pile drivers working on it.
Bridge Keeper Daniel Hinkley was
on the Laurel Hill side when the ae.
cident occurred. Ho said that it was
due to the overcrowding OF the bridge.
He said that he had frequently warned
the men not to crowd on the bridge, as
it was dangerous to do So but they
paid no attention to his repeated warn
ngs
TWO NARROW ESCAPES
William Pagan aud Patrick Nc
Namara, of Mseker avenue, Brooklyn,
both had narrow escapes. They dc
not know how they got ashore and say
they came near drowning. The search
for bodies was kept up till late hour,
but none were recovered.