A Distressing Scene.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1894, Page 4

A Distressing Scene.

A cablegram, dated May 1, reported the occurrence of a distressing calamity in connection with the Austrian Company's steamboat plying between Galatz and Braila, a port in Wallaeia, Turkey. A pier on the Danube, whilst crowded with holidaymakers collapsed, and no fewer than 50 were drowned. The landing-stage consists of an iron pontoon, which is , connected with the river bank by a j wooden pier or staging. A portion of i this is a permanent structure, the re- 1 mainder being placed in position every spring when the river opens. The structure is always of rough and ready work, but apparently strong. The arrival of the morning boat is i a matter of daily importance, large numbers of persons assembling to meet friends or business connections and to see friends off. Considerable numbers of these were upon the pier. and as soon as the heavy stream of passengers from the boat, consisting ot all classes ot people with a large number of women and children, had found its way on to the span of staging reaching from the pontoon to die permanent pier, the woodwork mas unable to bear the strain, ar.d the heavy beams snapping at their centre, all those upon it were precipitated into the waier. In an instant a confused crowd of various nationalities were struggling for life in the turgid waters of the Danube. Hundreds of onlookers stood for a moment spellbound. Then the work ot rescue commenced. Boats from crafts moored by rowed madly to the spot. Two boats were speedily launched from the two nearest British steamer?, and Captain Morgan, of the British steamer, Jersey, who happened to be at hand, and a fireman from another ■teamer, rushed to the scene, and gallantly plunged in amongst the struggling: and drowning crowd. Between them these two Englishmen managed to bring some dozen or more women and children ashore, where they received ready assistance, and the example having been set the work of rescue proceeded apace, but not before 50 persons had lost their lives.