THE FEARFUL CALAMITY AT CANADA:

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6118, 27 June 1881, Page 6

THE FEARFUL CALAMITY AT CANADA:

■* ISO INTERMENTS. Tiie excursion steamer Victoria collapsed on the river Thames, near Ontario, on May 23, and nearly 200 persons were drowned. Many of the leading citizens of the town of London are among the lost. The excursion was in honour of the Queen's birthday. The disaster was so sudden that but two-thirds of those on the overcrowded boat had a chance to escape. She collapsed almost in a minute, like an eggshell, and became a total wreck level to the water's edge. The Victoria was an old boat, but her machinery had been repaired the present spring, and on her trial trip everything appeared to work satisfactorily. The trip on the 24th was the first business one for the season. She had GOO passengers on board, and the accident is said to be due to the fact that when she heeled alittle on leaving her landing-place, the passengers grew alarmed, and rushed in a body to one side, and so broke her up. At the official inquiry into the cause of the

disaster, the evidence of Mr. Menellyl Steamboat Inspector, was taken. He considered the boat's machinery alt right and well managed,.and the engineer, Roberts, a skilled man—one of the best of his clas<! W. F. Adams testified that he helped tote-' build the' Victoria, and noticed points in her upper planking not caulked. He considered' that when she collapsed, she was full of water from leakage.

The number of persons who were on the Victoria is now known to have been nearly 700—a burden out of all proportion to her strength and capacity. The crowd at first ' enjoyed the oscillations of the vessel, which they increased by running from side to side shouting, "Let her sink; We'll only have to wade ashore," Each, motion caused the vessel to ship water, to the terror of some and the delight of others. When the sup. ports of the upper deck gave way all was ' over, and with : a terrible crash the whole thing collapsed. At this time the upper deck was very nearly perpendicular, casing a tremendous strain on the supports. Many were crushed at once, many thrown into the water and drowned, many rendered I'lnconscious and dazed. The steamer Princess Louise was alongside in four minutes, and her decks were crowded. The seai-cti. for the bodies continues, many of which are terribly crushed and bear evidence of a heroic struggle for life. The Victoria is complete wreck. It is stated that her boiler shifted with the rocking of the vessel. HeE captain (Rankin) says there was a light boat" going down, but he could, not keep back the crowds that besieged her on the return trip. He tried to make them leave the boat, but could only induce about fifteen or twenty. He also tried to make them leave the upper deck, iu vain, even threatening them. He noticed the peculiar rocking, but could v not leave his post. The engineer sent word to h;m that unless the boat could be straightened there was danger. He had determined to beach the boat on a sand bar 200 yards ahead, when the crowd on board rushed to one side to see a i - ace between the two row boats, and the boat with a lurch went over .with her port bow down. The boilershifted, and went through theside, which ended matters, as it carried away the main deck and let down the top deck. There was not over 100 persons below. Many persons were imprisoned between the main and top decks, but. they had breathing space, which, would have saved many of them had not others climbed on the floating deck, crushing ■ it down, and -smothering them. Many were . saved by swimming out under the deck at the sides or end. Up to midnight, Thursday night, ISO interments had taken place. -. The Government Steamboat Inspector says, he inspected the Victoria, twice last year, and regarded her safe for river traffic. Business, has been resumed, although some houses are > still closed yet. Nearly all the funerals have-, taken place. The police are still searching \ for the bodies, but fruitlessly. The nielan- \ choly collection of personal effects are still being viewed at the police headquarters in., the hope of obtaining mementoes. The in» vestigation will probably be tedious.. A solemn masa was said to-day in the Catholic Church.