New-York tribune., 1895-09-04
TIE SEA BEACH DISASTER.

The names have been obtained Of about three
score persons who were more or less seriously
injured in the Sea Beach Railroad disaster No
doubt there were many others who. though
somewhat shocked and bruised, were able 10
take care of themselves and preferred to AVOID
publicity One of the injured died yesterday, In
consequence Of which Coroner's jury has been
convened and thorough investigation is prom
lsed In the mean time II is being represented
in behalf of the company that this was really
an accident for which nobody ought TO be
blamed inasmuch as the locomotive which de-
molishcd the rear cars of the Coney Island train
had been suddenly disabled and was beyond the
engineers control when he jumped from his cab
II is possible that if he had stayed at his post he
might have succeeded in shutting off steam ana
averting the disaster. even in the brief time at
his disposal; but it is more probable that ne
voud have failed and lost his own life without
helping others 1t would have been an heroic
sacrifice but perhaps he did all that his duty
required at the moment Whether ne did or no''
this is not the whole story.
Some of the railroad officials seem disposed 10
ignore preceding events. basng their claim OF
unavodability upon the immediate clrcunl-
stances of the disaster But there had been
preyious collision. between the pushing engine
and train of empty cars. Was nobody to blame
for that? In itself il amounted 10 little, and the
fact would probably have never been made pup
lie excepting for what followed. But II was III
this collision that the throttle was opened and
the lever iammed so that the engineer could not
move II. and for the destruction which ensued
the individual who was AT fault IN the ilrst IN
stance is more or less responsible. 1t Is impor-
tant to identify that person and ascertain Tue
| measure Of his responsibility. The Coroner
iury should begin the investigation at least as
far back as that point. in order TO determine the
| immediate cause Of the disaster. But the IN
ourv ought to have a broader scope 1T VIII
| probably be found that heavy traffic has been
! carelessly handled in more respects than one.
| In This case il has been shown that the shuntlng
of an empty train and the return of the pushing
engine to the starting point were badly man
aged. and there is evidence of general impru-
| dcnce in the operation of the road If, for ex-
| ample. the cars had not been fmsy things, they
would not have been shattered into kindlins
wood merely by the impact of a runaway loco
motive The companys representatives will
nrobably saw that the road cannot afford to run
more substantial and expensive rolling stock; but
tbot exnlanation will not absolve them from
blame. They are bound to use due care for the
safety of passengers. without regard TO the CUES
ton of profits.
But still more important matter for lnvesu
cation Is the disclosure that there is no tele
graphic communication along the line. III Is
asserted by spokesmen for the company tha'
nothing could have been done to prevent the dis
aser. after the runaway locomotive had started
even if It had been possible to send word ahead
that 1t was coming. This seems TO us TO be q
pure assumption; but admitting that IT is wei
founded, the conditions which are cited to show
why a three or foui minutes warning would
have been worthless are worth investigation II
is explained that exact knowledge Of the situa
ton at any point between the Brooklyn terminus
and Woodlawn Park could have done no good
for the reason that there is no switch to turn
Obviously not only the specific act or omission
which led directly to Il disastrous wreck, but th'
general construction. equipment and operation
of the Sea Beach Railroad demand oihcial attcn
ton 1t is probable that when the Coroner
inquest has been finished an important task vii
remain for the Grand Jury and the public prose
cutor