Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-02
INTO THE BRANDYWlNE BRIDGE DRAW.
Exciting Plunge Of an Engine and
Two Freight Cars Friday.


The Draw Was open and the Train Could
Not Stop In Tnue-Narfou, Escape Of a
Tramp who Was, Stealing q Ride IN One
of the Cars.
At about o. 40 o'clock Friday morning
heavy freight locomotive and two
empty freight cars plunged into the
open draw OF the p, W. & b. railroad
bridge across the Brandywine, near the
works of the jackson & Sharp Co.,
causing considerable damage but no
loss of life, although several people were
slightly injured. As travel was blocked,
north and south, orders were immedi-
ately issued by Superintendent William
n. Barnard to have all trains run over
the freight cut-off, thereby causing very
little delay TO either passenger or
freight trains.
The injured were as follows:
James keefe, bridgetendcr, bruised
and thrown into the water.
John Dolan, track walker, right arm
and hand bruised and cut.
Conductor Keenan,, slightly bruised.
James Mulhearn, stevedore, of Phila-
delphia, who was stealing ride in one
of the cars, slightly bruised
Engineer Frank Hawkins and Fire
man Harry L. Bfinton saw the danger
in time and jumped from the locomo-
tive when il YVES about 20 feet FROM the
draw, thus saving their lives. Neither
was much hurt.
The engine, which was No. 50, known
as Jumbo, one OF the largest and most
powerful engines on the division, was
drawing train Of II empty cars, known
as an extra freight, from this city for
the Gray's Ferry yards, Philadelphia.
The train was running at fair speed,
and when within several car lengths of
the draw the engineer noticed that it
was partly off and WAS being turned on,
and as the signals were red, he immedi-
ately blew '.down brakes" and reversed
the engine. The brakes were applied
on locomotive and cars, but the latter
had received so much impetus that it
was an impossibility TO stop in time to
prevent trouble. and the engineer and
fireman had barely time to jump for
! their lives when the engine and tender
went down into the water. The loco
motive stuck in the mud head first and
the tender quietly reposed on the river
bottom by its side. They were followed
by box car, which also rested on the
river bottom, the water filling it. ex-
cept at one end, where there was a
space between the water and roof Of
about eight inches. Another box car
plunged in after il, the front end reach
ing the water and the back end resting
on the approach. 1t turned over on its
side, ard remained in that position.
The draw had not been turned off to
allow boat to 60 through, but was
being given the test which is required
each morning. The signals were al
right and Bridgetender Keefe had nc
reason to anticipate trouble. The
bridgetender was being assisted in the
work by John Dolan, track walker il
the employ of the company.
When the engine reached the edge o.
the abutnnnt the draw was about hal
way on and it naturally ran agains
and shaking it terribly. Bridgetendel
Keefe was thrown into the water, bu
he is good swimmer, and as he re
tanned his presence of mind, lost Ut
time in swimming TO the shore, wher,
he soon reached dry land and went t
his residence, No. $50 Spruce street
Besides the soaking he was not mucl
the worse for his close call.
Trackwalker Dolan was thrown severa
feet on the bridge, but did not go over
board. His right arm was badly bruiset
and his hand cut, but he did not fee
as if his injuries would warrant him il
going home in hurry.
James Mulhearn, formerly Of No.
North Front street, Philadelphia, an,
No. 93 West Baltimore street, Balti
more, had the most thrilling experienc
and narrowly escaped drowning Will
imprisoned. He had entered one G
the cars which had come from Balti
, more, at Perryville, and when the trai
pulled out of the Wilmington yard tn
car he was in was next to the eDgin
, tender. One Of the doors was open an
, he was standing in the forward END
away from the view Of outsiders, look
ing out the door as the train move
, along. When the crash came he wa
, thrown toward the ether end, hut befor
he realized what had happened, h
Z was under water, the car being in tn
! Brandywine and having filled, wit
the exception of small space in on
end, where the water was about eigh
Z inches from the roof. He swan aroun
, under water until he found TIL
i breathing space, and as soon as b
head was above water he began to ca
q out at the TOP of his voice and knocke
on the roof Of the car. He was con
/. PEELED to keep himself ahoat by swim
: ming, but had no idea where he WI
r or what was going to happen next
I Fortunately, G. j. Sullivan, j
Spender and L. vandebrick. the tw
= latter being employees of the jackson
i Sharp Co., happened to arrive on Il
scene almost Immediately, and the
|. heard his cries and knocking. The
tried to secure boat, but were unab
h to get one. They hurriedly obtained
: crowbar and an axe from the JacksC
e. Sharp shops, and by walking on IL
i running board Of the engine and holdiI
on to the car which WAS resting on Il
!. approach succeeded in reaching Il
4 roof of the car in which Mulhearn VI
h imprisoned. They lost no time 10 goir
to work, although they were doing
at their own peril, being IN an excee
ingly dangerous position, and in abo
10 minutes after the car went over hf
l. hole cut.through the wood and iii
!. roof. As soon as they had cut throus
Mr.. Sullivan saw hand, and viii
Il the others were tearing boards off, he
"a the hand until the hole was lar,
!; enough, when Mulhearn was drawn o
/. by the three men.
i In the meantime the patrol wag,
is had been summoned by Officer Hurle
who was soon on tine scene, and aft
is the wagon arrived Mulhearn was tax,
al to the police station, where he W
a given dry clothing and given comfort
d BILE quarters in the basement of Il
station house, where he was allowed
,e remain until his clothing was dry al
i, he was able to proceed on his iourne
ga Mulhearn was seen at the stati
8. house a short time after his arrival Al
he was in an exceedingly happy frar
of mind over his good fortune in esca