HomeMy WebLinkAbout2082"Pickering News, Vol. 9, No 34 (20 June 1890), p. 1.
Disaster at Claremont
A C.P.R. engine plunges through a culvert—Five men killed.
The excitement caused by the floods near Claremont sank into insignificance Wednesday
morning when word was received that during the night a bridge went down between this
place and Green River and that five men were killed.
Word was received at the Junction that the bridge near here was unsafe owing to the heavy
floods and a train was despatched to inspect the bridge, having on board John Wanless,
bridge inspector for the C.P.R.; J. Pattor, driver, Junction; F. Oliver, fireman, Junction;
sectionmen Moriarty and Lott of Green River, and D.B. Nighswander, of Locust Hill.
The men were flying along towards the Claremont bridge, and had evidently forgotten or did
not remember the existence of this culvert where the accident happened. It is twenty-five feet
long and six or eight feet above the water, which at the time of the accident was about twelve
feet deep. The moment the engine struck the trestle down it went into the torrent below.
The water must have completely washed away the supports and left the rails alone to bridge
the chasm. The wreck was frightful. The men were pinned in the wreck, some of them
underneath the water, some above. D.B. Nighswander was the only one of the six to escape,
and his escape was nothing short of miraculous. He had only a few slight bruises.
The cries of the five ill-fated ones were heart-rending. Pinned down, crushed, drowning,
and the hot steam from the locomotive scalding them as they died—it was an awful thing.
But their pain was very short—it was only for a fleeting moment.
The scene of the accident was a massive stone structure of which Bridge Inspector Wanless
had not the least fears. Superintendent Tait visited the scene early Wednesday morning,
and took charge of the task of clearing away the debris and searching for the bodies.
He spoke in glowing terms of Inspector Wanless, saying “he was a man in whom the company
had every confidence, and he has sacrificed his life to preserve the lives of the passengers on
the regular trains.” Mr. Wanless’ body was the first found, it not having been pinned in among
the wreck, but floated down stream some distance.
Superintendent Tait makes the following statement: Some small washouts were reported
between Locust Hill and Claremont, and the passenger trains were all held up until the line
could be repaired. When the track was set right Mr. Wanless thought it would be advisable to
run an engine down to a wooden culvert near Claremont which he was anxious about.
This was not the culvert where the accident occurred for no doubt was entertained about the
stability of that. To reach the smaller bridge, however, it was necessary to pass over a
massive stone structure with an opening of 25 feet, situated between Claremont and
Locust Hill—about three miles from the latter place. Ordinarily a very small stream runs here
but now it was a torrent. Water had undermined the west abutment, and the masonry gave way
when the engine went over it, piling the tender on top of the engine. Part of the arch stands,
a dismantled ruin. I consider that Mr. Wanless, who was one of the best officials in the service,
sacrificed his life in attempting to ensure the absolute safety of the passengers.
About two hours before the accident occurred—11:26 was the time the watch found in the
pocket of the deceased driver stopped—a train passed over the structure. Nighswander,
the survivor, has, I believe, told several contradictory stories about how he managed to escape.
In one case, I believe, he said he jumped from the end of the engine, but in another he does not
claim to have had the presence of mind to jump or to do anything else. The first thing he knew
was that he was in the water, and climbed up the engine on to the embankment.
Jerry Moriarty and Hiram Lott, of Green River, two of the victims, were we think unmarried,
but cannot say for certain. D.B. Nighswander, who escaped, is well known over the district,
having formerly taught school. An inquest will probably be held on one of the bodies at
Claremont, but the C.P.R. is in no way responsible for the disaster. It was unforseen—could
not have been guarded against. Great crowds of people have gathered at the scene of the
wreck and say it is a terrible sight.
The Empire says: The bridge inspector, Mr. Wanless, died a hero. If he had allowed the train
to proceed, without first making an investigation, what a still more harrowing tale there would
have been to tell. As it was the result was simply awful.
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