The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
70 DROWN WHEN
DOCK COLLAPSES
Hundred and Fifty Thrown
Into Niagara River
MANY SWEPT AWAY
Eight Bodies Are Recovered-Six
Are Missing-Planks Form a
Pocket Into Which Strug-
ling Mass Are Thrown

Buffalo, June 23.--Between 10 and 20
people were drowned and a number IN
jured tonight when so foot dock at
Eagle Park Grand Island, Niagara river,
collapsed under the weight of 80 peo-
pie, precipitating them into z feet of
water. Up to midnight eight bodies have
been recovered, of whom six have been
Identified.
The known dead are:
- Mckee, Mrs. McKee's 1o-year-old
daughter.
Mrs Richmeyer and her 10-year-old SON.
Mrs Gallagher.
Cecilia Kelley, 9 years old.
Missing:
Mrs. Hellstrom and 4-year-old baby.
Viola Semi.
Miss Irene Thomas.
Mrs. Westfall.
Mrs. Hyde.
SO far as known all of the victims Were
residents of Buffalo.
The steamer Henry Koerber had just
warped into the dock TO take on a load
of returning excursionists. The dock was
crowded with people and more wef'e COM
ing down from above. The gang pianks
were thrown out and that part Or the
crowd nearest to the steamer began to
move forward. Captain Fix Oh board,
called to them to move slowly. The
words were no more than out of his
mouth when the center Of the dock sank
with a crash.
The planking held fast to the timbers on
both sides of the dock, forming a pocket
into which the struggling mass of speo-
pie were thrown
Many were caught in the wreekage OF
the dock but fully 150 went into the
water, which beneath the dock was from
10 to 70 feet deep, with current OF
about 10 miles an hour. The wreckage OF
the dock served to hold most of the
struggling crowd, but several who fell
clear of 1t began to float away. Row
boats and motor boats were pressed into
service and some OF those were rescued.
1t is certain. however. that in addition TO
the bodies rescued in the vicinity of the
dock many were swept away.
The small boats were used also to re-
lease many jammed in the broken timbers
and men who could swim stripped and
went into the river to help the women
and children.
Supervisor Henry Lieb, In the center Of
the throng that went down. was rescued
II believe that over 20 lives were lost.
said Mr.. Lieb. There were fully ~ peo-
pie on the dock and three-quarters OF
them went down with 1t. There was but
little warning before the crash came.
A Stocker and M. l.. Martin rescued
about 25 people, mostly women and chill
den, In their launch.
Many of the women taken from the wa
ter were revived after being brought
ashore. A first aid corps was organized
and as the men, women and children were
brought out of the water they were laid
on the shore end of the dock and erforts
were made 20 revive them.
The first body found was that of a girl
about 10 years old. No one could identify
her. At midnight seven more bodies had
been laid in the gruesome row.
The steamer left fsr Buffalo at mid
might, bringing homs about go of the
excursionists many of whom had sus-
famed slight injuries. News of the dis
asfer had by this time reached the city
and an immense crowd had gathered at
the dock.
Weeping women were asking for news
of their children and II was almost i'm
possible for the police to restrain them
until the boat was unloaded
Immediately after discharging her pas
sengers the Koerber returned to Grand
Island to bring home the remainder OF
tta .,xottrefonfsts