The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-30
IS KILLED
IN BRIDGE
COLLAPSE

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Liverpool. Quebec: wilfrid Proulex. of
New Liverpool: Zephrian La France.
Quebec.
Early this morning rowboats were
sent gu to examine the superstructure
showing above the water near the shore
to ascertain IL any Of the workmen
were Imprisoned i'm the mass of twisted
iron work. None was found alive. just
below the surface of the water two
bodies were seen. but it viii be lmpos-
sible to reach them until the tide goes
out.
Both the local and the Dominion au-
thorities have taken steps to investi-
gate the cause of the disaster and IL
possible fix the responsibility.
Some of the workmen expressed the
belief that the anchor pier gave way
under the tremendous strain of the
overhanging steel work. NJ. p. Davis,
of Ottawa, the contractor who built
the piers. made a hasty examination
last night, however. and reported them
to be in good condition. although the
steel superstructure had fallen upon
them.
A locomotive and several freight cars
loaded with steel Orders were moving
out upon The bridge just before the
structure collapsed. Engineer Jess,
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
Jess was removed to Lev1s Hospital.
wher he rapidly recovered from the
effects of his plunge into the river.
According to his story the steel work
o~verhanging the river was the first TO
how signs of weakness. AT the first
sign of danger Jess shut off steam,
but his locomotive continued to move
toward the end OF the bridge which
had begun to %totter, n a moment
later the engine went into the river.
There is scarcely a family in the
villages of st. Romuald and New Liver
pool which has not been ~bereaved, while
in some cases five and six men OF 8
single family have been killed. From
almost every house is heard the sounds
of lamentations of women. The mel
are gathered around the approaches Il
the wrecked bridge, aiding In the eff
forts to rescue those who are still aliv'
or caring for the bodies of the dead a
they are found.
Nothing Is known of the cause OF this
disaster. There was nothing of an UNI
4 toward nature reported that could give
the slightest Indication during the past
few days that the huge structure was
in a dangerous condition. II was built
on such immense lines that 1t did not
seem possible that It could break down.
Whether 1t was caused by a defect in
the material or by an error in the cal
culation of the engineers is a mere
matter of conjecture. The one certain
fact is that where yesterday afternoon
there was almost the half OF a bridge
that was 10 have been one of the en-
gineering wonders of the world, with a
small army of mechanics and workmen,
there is nothing now but a mass Of
Enthusiastically twisted iron and steel
wreckage.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30.-The
Phoenix Bridge Company, which has
the contract for building the bridge
Which collapsed Yesterday near Quebec
has offices in his city. The plant is al
Phoenixville, Pa, thirty miles from
Philadelphia. -Four representatives OF
the company were sent to Quebec to-
day and until their report is received
the company will make no statement,
The officials of the concern say they
do not know the cause of the accident
and have no idea OF the monetary loss
incurred.
The great bridge was built in sec
ions at the works OF the company and
was bolted together at Quebec.