New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-07
BIG BRIDGE SPANS FALL,
DISASTER on THE NEW STRUCTURE
OVER THE ST. LAWRENCE.
AT LEAST FOURTEEN WORKMEN KILLED
AND MANY BADLY INJURED.


lR1 TELEGRAPH TRIBUSEl
Cornwall ont, Sept 6-Pier No. and two
spans of the ottawa and New-York Railway
Company's bridge over the south channe! OF the
st. Lawrence River, from Cornwall Island to the
American shore went down into the river about
noon to-day. carrying all the workmen on the
bridge with them The latest estimates place
the number OF killed at fourteen. and there are
now in the Hotel Dieu Hospital here seventeen
seriously wounded men. while many slightly in
iured ar still attending their work or sadly
viewing the wreck Of the magnificent structure
on which they had worked long, and which
was so near completion that one OF the foiemeh
had remarked that in case Of emergency uaih
could be run across tomorrow.
The circumstances Of the accident are prob
ably unparalleled in the history OF modern
bridge building The story OF the ouilClhs Vi
the twin bridges Is In itself a thrilling taie' a
short distance above Cornwall the whole pody
Of the mighty st Lawrence is penned IN a
channel about three-quarters of mile vide put
two miles above the town branch runs south
and then east. forming Cornwall Island, large
body Of land belonging 10 the tribe of lroquols
Indians The fall in the bed Of the river Is con-
siderable and in both channels. which are about
of the same width-threo- quarters OF a mile-the
water fairly foams on its downward course
The task Of bridging such rebellious piece OF
water was naturally a stupendous one, and the
erection OF the stone piers IN both channels OF
the river by the Sooysmith Company or New
York was attended With untold labor and dii
Guilty; bat finally. after over years WORK, the
contract was completed not long ago. and the
eight piers were handed over to the PhonX
Bridge Company. of PhGniXyille. Penn, when
IN
THE Scene or THE ACCIDENT.
The south channel. which was the scene ot
to-day's accident is spanned by a noble struct-
We VI three arches supported on four massive
stone piers Each of the spans is $40 feet in
length and the bridge is 81 fee above the water
The accident occurred just al noon to-day. With
a great crash. Pier No > the central pier on the
American side fell into the river. carrying with
i, 20 ruin the two spans resting on it. The mid
de span seemed to drop straight into the river
and then turn slowly on It's side to the eastward.
- is intact and practically uninjured II is
probably fifteen feet under the water. but the
Tor par. can be- plainly seen. The pier itse't
seemed 20 split or crumble away Ike house
of cards or pie Z loose brick. The span from
the American shore 20 Tho pier was surmounted
hy q high traveller % which the fearless work
men were climbing about Ike spiders. The
water under il being shallower II is only partly
submerged. but the shock - 1t was far great
er. ana the stout IRON of The traveller and the
bridge proper was twisted. Vrenched and broken
into all kinds Of grotesque shapes. Under this
huge pile % debris fourteen bodies are lying.
pinned fast by the tremendous weight on them
RESCUE WORK QUICKLY BEGUN.
The crash made by the fall could be heard FOR
miles and soon every one within hearing was
on ne scene. and the numbers were steadily
augmented by the arrival Of crowds from this
city where 'hc news had been brought by an
old Indian one II the first ~ reach the scene
u the Disaster vas George W Parker, OF ST
Louis the president or the construction com
pany which holds the contract for the road
The work II rescuing tn injured men was well
and quickly done The river fairly swarmei
Nth boats on their errand of m.rcy. The in
iur-d were quickly placed on the steamer
Reav.r and we're brought with all possible haste
- Cornwall where they are al present being
tenderlv cared for in the Hotel Dieu Hospital
The entire medical STAFF OF Cornwall has been
summoned and everything that money and
skin can suggest is being done for the suffering
Al late hour tonight the list Of killed and
I'm iurcd is as follows.