The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-05

IU4 YoNo9b, IGtayGu 70 tAAe kON- egnor hy panaher, said:
 wft would appear from the stories of eye-witnesses that the false-work piilne weakened in some manner and permitted the steel work to start moving, thus causing the acci- dent" Investigators, however, added that Wkhis is entirely conjecture and hnal judgment will have to await com- plete investigation by company and state ofacials."
 The report was dispatched to Gov. Hurley as navy and civilian divers continued their search of the river bottom for the bodies of six other workmen who have been unaccount- edafor since the central river sec- ton of the bridge gave way yester- day afternoon.
 Leary and Kennedy said 1t Is too early to determine the exact cause of the disaster, particularly as the superintendent in charge Of corl- structlon was among those killed"
 Submitted Report
 The inspectors, assigned to the inuuiry soon after the collapse, said they "yislted the scene of the disas- ter Thursday afternoon and sub- init the following report:
 The bridge Is to be 3,200 feet long with central spans of 270 feet, 800 feet and 270 feet, and 1t was intended to be completed July l, lO42. Prior to the accident the first of two sections of the span had been erected and were supported on the river end by steel columns sup- ported by falsework piling. The third section of the first span was ready to be placed. It had been hoisted to the level of the bridge and see cured by cables to the travelling crane and was ready to be lowered into place preliminary to fastening when the mass suddenly gave way" panaher said he would continue his inquiry into the accident until responsibility could be fixed for the collapse which sent nearly 700 tons Of steel girders, derricks and gears Into the river.
 American Bridge Go. officials bee lived the four missing men were trapped underneath the mass of twisted steel and cranes lying in about ib feet of water. Special equip- ment to lift two huge 98-ton girders out of the river was being called for Co enable recovery of the bodies. State and local police, U. 6. navy divers, and various volunteer riv- ermen began their search anew for the missing men ct dawn, after stopping three or four hours dur ing the night to rest after more than i2 hours of constant effort.
 Gov. Hurley Orders Probe
 Oog. Robert A. Hurley ordered an immediate investigation into cause of the disaster, the city's greatest an more than 30 years. T am de- termlned," he said, ito ascertain the cause of this tragedy and where the responsibility Hes"
 State Highway Commissioner Wil- Ham J. Cox and state Police Com missioner Edward J. Hickey, who directed rescue work during the afternoon and night, also began inc V0stlgations into cause of the trag- ady. The American Bridge Go. which was constructing the eA,40O,. GOO bridge, made no comment, but was understood to be making its own survey.
 The spans that collapsed were nart of the o42-foot rlain river see- ton of the 393e.foot bridge on which construction began about l4 months ago. The girders and der" Ticks tumbled Into the water With a great roar when Q temporary wooden pier, built between the first two concrete piers Into the water, collapsed as Q huge e8-ton girdor believed to he the worlds largest, was being swung Into place.
 List of Dead
 William J. Ward, GO, Waterford, erection superintendent of the American Bridge Co., who fell 50 feet to the ground.
 Joseph ". MOrin, s. Lewiston Me.
 Leon P. volInSer, AS, West EEat- Held, Mass.
 Frank E. Place, B7, Hartford.
 Jereme R. McLaln, Mlddietown, formerly of Oakland, Cal.
 Nicholas Legal, Hartford, fore merly of New York. william R. Llpsey, SA, Flushing |. '.
 city.
 The missing:
 Henry TherOux, AS. Springfield, Mass.
 Samuel '. Norman, co, Hare Dc Grace, Md.
 George Maben, 50, Poughkeepsle. ". Y.
 Oscar soderbOm. A2, Hartford, formerly of Schenectady.
 CaEl Wanat, 3l, COastville, Pa.
 Francis |. sChafsel, Jamaica, LII.
 others VIII Probe
 Coroner Frank Y. Healy and State Public Works Commissioner George R. Burke also began investigations into cause of the collapse.
 The emergency call for nurses and doctors was sent out by state police as soon as word of the accident was received, and scores of first aid at- tendants quickly arrived at the scene State Police Commissioner Hickey expressed qualification at the smooth working of the emergency system, which has been organized principally for Q war disaster.
 Eye-witnesses generally agreed the 1lESt sign of the collapse came when piles of the temporary pier buckled, throwing the huge girderS, 100 feet in the air, into the water, carrying the derricks along with them.
 Rescue work was organized quick iy. Virtually every ambulance in the Hartford area was summoned, and police arrived within seven minutes after the collapse. The scene of the tragedy was in an ouryling section of Hartford, and bodies of the in- iired and dead had to be hauled up the face of 6 50-foot dike.
 Emergency Station