Gilpin observer., 1907-09-05

-Eighty-five lives, according
to close estimate, we're lost near here
when the great Quebec cantilever
bridge in course of construction across
the st. Lawrence river went down of
its own weight. The details of the
great catastrophe most impressively
emphasizes the clean sweep of life the
giant structure made when it fell into
the water 180 feet below.
With the first break of dawn half a
dozen government and Quebec Bridge
Company tugs began a search of the st.
Lawrence river for the victims The
terrific drop of the great steel struc-
ture from 1S0 feet above the surface
of the river crushed the bodies of
many of the workmen in a frightful
manner and it is feared many will
never be found. Many of the dead
were Americans brought here by the
Phoenix Bridge Company of Phoenix
vile, Pennsylvania, which had the con-
tract for the iron work on the bridge.
Both local and the Dominion authori-
ties have taken steps to investigate the
cause of the disaster and to fix the re-
sponsibility.
Some OF the workmen expressed the
belief that the main pier gave way un-
der tremendous strain of overhanging
steel work. NJ. P. Davis OF Ottawa, the
contractor who built the piers, made a
hasty examination, however, and re-
ported them in good condition, al
though the steel superstructure had
fallen upon them.
Rescue Engineer.
A locomotive and several freight
cars loaded with steel girders were
moving out upon the bridge just before
the structure collapsed. Engineer Joss,
who was on the locomotive, went into
the river with his engine. but was
picked up 800 feet below the bridge.
Fireman Davis persisted. Engineer
joss was removed to Lewis hospital,
where he rapidly recovered from the ef-
fects OF his plunge into the river. Ac-
cording to his story the steel work
overhanging the river was the first to
show signs Of weakness. At the first
sign Of danger Joss shut on the steam
but his locomotive continued to move
toward the end of the bridge which had
begun to totter and a moment later the
engine went down.
There is scarcely a family in the vii
lage of st. Romuald's and New Liver
pool which has not been bereaved,
while In some cases five and six men of
single family have been killed. From
almost every house is heard the sound
of lamentations of women. The men
are gathered around the approaches to
the wrecked bridge aiding in the ef-
forts to rescue those who are still alive
or caring for thebodies of the dead
1t was known THAT there were about
100 men at work on this part OF the
structure and the tidings caused the
most intensive anxiety, which gradu-
ally grew into a despairing certainty
that one Of the most terrible disasters
Canada has ever known had taken
place.
Fearful Disaster.
There was nothing Of an untoward
nature reported that could give the
slightest Indication during the past few
days that the huge structure was in a
dangerous condition. It was built on
such immense lines that 1t did not
seem possible that 1t could break
down.
Whether the fall was caused by a de-
feet in the material or by an error in
the calculations OF the engineer Is a
mere matter OF conjecture. One certain
fact is where there was almost half Of
bridge that was to have been one Of
the engineering wonder OF the world,
there is nothing now but a mass Of
twisted iron wreckage.
The southern extension of the bridge
which collapsed was rapidly nearing
the zenith Of the immense steel arch
which was to span the river For 500
feet from the shore the massive steel
structure reared an arch with no sup
ports save the piers from the shore and
one pier In the river about 150- feet
from the shore. while the outward ex-
tremity was 1S0 feet above the water.
The end Of the half arch bent down n
trine and a moment later the whole
enormous fabric began to give way
slowly at hrst. then with a terrific
crash which, was plainly heard in Que
bee and which shook the whole country
side 30 that the residents rushed out OF
their houses thinking that an earth.
quake had occurred.
Longest Bridge In the World.
The Quebec bridge was remarkable
h tAat h was 70 - TIE loasest single