FALL OF YARMOUTH SUSPENSION BRIDGE 100 LIVES LOST. [From the London Watchman—May 7,.]

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 18, 4 October 1845, Page 3

FALL OF YARMOUTH SUSPENSION BRIDGE 100 LIVES LOST. [From the London Watchman— May 7,.]

One of the roost calamitous events which ever befel the town of Yarmouth, or any other district of the kingdom, has just spread lamentation and grief •throughout the entire population. The scene of this dreadful event was the Suspension Bridge on the North Quay, crossing the river JBure. Cooke's equestrian company had been for some time time staying in the town, and it was announced on Friday morning, by public handbills, that ,one of the clowns would sail np the river JBure, at five o'clock, in a common washing tub, drawn by four " real geese," elegantly harnessed and caparisoned. At the lime appointed, this absurd exhibition took place. The clown and his geese started from the old bridge in presence of an immense concourse of persons. On his arrival at the mouth of the Burc, a current took him towards Braydon, whence he was obliged to be towed back to the union of the two streams. The multitude of persons along the North Quay was greatly increased by a rush from the old bridge, and every spot where a view of Nelson and his geese could be obtained was filled with spectators. By far the most advantageous view was from the Suspension. bridge, and this was eageriy sought for by the un-, suspecting population. .About four hundred persons occupied this position, and were pressing on the, south side to obtain the first glance of the coming wonder. The bridge was an elegant structure, suspended from two piers, and capable of standing a much. t larger number of persous than that we have named; but every point of vision towards the spot where the geese were to be looked for was densely' crammed with men, women, and children, and even the chains and suspenders had many occupants. The platform, on the south side was the,chief receptacle for the multitude who were on the bridge on this occasion ; • the north side was comparatively empty, consequently there was an extreme pressure on ,the south—so. much so, that a gentleman who passed over noticed , that the crown of the bridge, instead of maintaining its convex form, ( was completely flattened. He remarked the circumstance to a compauion, but all t eyes were stretched io the utmost, and' every ear ' listening with eagerness for, the hrst announcement' ofrthe clown's appearance. The anxiety was brought' to its highest pitch by the ciy of —" Here comes the geese." The shout resounded from side to side. At this moment there was a shriek from the shore.— The bridge was observed to'give way ; it lowered on one side; ,the chains snapped asunder one after another in momentary succession, and, almost before the gaze of the thronging multitude could be drawn from its object of.woithless interest, it • was rivetted to the half-sunken bridge—suspended ou one side by its unbroken chains —cleared of allots occupants—, every one of whom,were plunged into the stream, and over them' thfe waters were flowing. Those who Witnessed the fearful .tragedy assert, that not a scream was heard, nor 'a sound emitted from the ' unfortunate victims'. A fearhil splash, and a few' gurgling struggles only recognised the spot which had swallowed such a mass of human life. Some few men, hanging by the broken chains, were earnestly entreated to maintain their hold, but it was • soon observed that in consequence of the obstruction, of the stream by the fallen bridge and the human bodies below, that the advancing tide would isoon bury even them from sight. Every boat was inline- , diately in requisition,,and as many as twenty-five were on the spot, and rendered active and gallant i service. The scene 'at this moment beggars description—husbauds and wives, parents and children, were excited with the deepest anxiety. The efforts to save the victims were noble and praiseworthy. — One man who was precipitated from the bridge, caught a hold and maintained it —a female made a desperate clutch at his ancles, and succeeded in reaching them. The brave fellow looked down, and. though iv fearful peril himself, encouraged her to hold tight, and she was rescued. 'I he man refused to get into the boat,(tellingthe occupants to pick up tho^e floating about(the river ; subsequently, however he was obliged to release his hold, aud he fell-iuto the stream. We are happy to say that a rope was thrown to him immediately, and he was brought safely ashore. The bodies were picked up in quick, succession, most of them dead. Among the number was a woman. —doubtless a mother —who had in her , arms an infant, and in one baud a little girl three or four years old j she had firmly grasped both, and her firm hold had not been broken by the struggles of Uea h,for it was with difficulty they were separated.' The various incidents of the tragic scene are some of them very touching. Many children were found with.' their heads fast in the railing (which ou the bursting of the chains lapped over into the water), doubtless fixed in that position in their anxiety to feast their eyes on the expectant bight. Many were rescued by active me ins. Barrels of hot water were sent from the brew-house of Messis. Lacon to i My. Lasv's of the < Norwich Arms lon, where the scene was most dreadful. As many as ten oi a dozen were ultimately recovered, but no less than iifiy three corpses were brought into that house, which defied aIJ. the means of restoration ; others were taken to other public houses in the neighbourhood, but not in very considerable numbers. The great majority of the sufferers are women and children. Workmen weie' employed on Saturday with heavy cranes in raising the bridge, but had not succeeded when the last accounts left." It is thought that a number of bodies are still under the bridge, fastened by the rails being crushed together. One hundied and thiiteen bodies have been taken out, ami more, it is ' said, are still in the water.

; A Paris paper states the number of French' government steamers now afloat or building is 92. Of these, 8 are frigates of from 450 to 650 horse power, and eighteen corvettes of from 220 to 320 horse power. The Church Missionary Society on Tuesday, the 6th May, the Lad of Chichesier in the chair. The inuome of the past year was £105,219, and the expenditure £92,000. Since the last report, the number of .communicants had increased more than dufing the last thirty years.