The Terrible Steamer Casualty at Ontario.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1402, 28 June 1881, Page 3

The Terrible Steamer Casualty at Ontario.

The excursion .steamer Victoria collapaed on the river Thames, near Ontaiio, on May 24, and nearly 200 persons were drowned. Many of the leading citizens of the town of London are among 1 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, buthermachinery had been repaiied the present spring, and ou 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 a little on leaving her landing-place, the passengers grew alarmed, and rushed in a body to one side, and so broke her up. The number of persons who were on the Victoria is now known to have been nearly 700 — a burden out of all proportions 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, " Lpt her sink ', we'll only have to wado ashore." Each motion caused the vessel to ship water, to the terror of some and the delight of others. When the supports of the upper deck gave way all was over, and^ritH a terrible crash the whole thing coUfft^d ' At this time the upper deck fry/nearly perpendicular, causing a WMpfo& n on the supports. Pbjtftlor rtiifted, and Trent through B>,%>|J§h ended matters, aa it carttiy|qe main deck and let down ijpfck. There was not over 100 ijploir. >Cany porsons were mv W between the nj*w and top deck*, ley had breathing epaoe, which have sav«d many of them bad not others' climbed on the floating 4eck, r-maOmg it dowp, $b4 f«tftb©rinff them,

Many were saved by swimming out under the deck at the sides or end. Up to midnight Thursday night, 180 interments had taken place. Sunstrokes are becoming frequent in New York. Some excitement has occurred in political circles on account of Senators Conkling and Platt, of New York, resigning their positions in the United States Senate. They had quarrelled with the President on account of his Federal appointments in that State. On asking re-election from the New York Legislature Conkling was rejected, and his political power is at an end. All efforts to stop the spread of smallpox in the Sandwich Islands appear to be unavailing. Bt last advices there were 99 patients in the small-pox hospital. Well-known Scotch farmers are making j a tour of the United States to obtain information regarding agriculture and immigration. It is reported that placer gold in paying quantity has been discovered at Cape Commerell, British Columbia. Commodore Sliufeldj, U.S.A., has gone to China ostensibly to carry the ratified Chinese treaties. His real mission, how67er, is said to be to open, if possible, the ports of Corea to the world. Earthquake shocks hare been felt in New Hampshire. It was given in evidence recently that the lines of the American Union Telegraph cost 10,000,000 dollars, and, based on their earnings, were worth 20,000,000 dollars. Stupendous frauds have been unearthed in the letting of contracts for mail routes. The Government has been plundered to the tune of millions. Boston is moving to have a World's Fair in 188->. An equestrian match between Miss M. B. Williams, of England, and Miss Belle Cooke, of California, will take place at Minneapolis, Minnesota, in September next. Calif ornian wines are rapidly driving the Fienoh article from the American market. Railroads are beinsf built in every direction in Mexico. It in not improbable th.it within two years the city of Mexico will be connected by rail with all parts of the United States, and a new Tiaiibcontinentul line be opened to traffic. The hhputi.in Commodore Nutfc died of Bright' s dise.iio on May 26.