ACCIDENT ON THE DEE BRIDGE. 



to give a passenger a power to stop the train at will, though it 

 was admitted that it would be extremely desirable to establish 

 a practicable and sure communication between the passengers 

 in each coach with a guard, and to provide the latter with 

 means of communicating with the engine-driver. 



The great improvements which are made in the application of 

 the electric telegraph justify the expectation that that admirable 

 invention may supply the most effectual means of attaining 

 these objects. Each train might be provided with a portable 

 telegraph, by means of which the passengers in each carriage 

 might have the power of communicating with the principal con- 

 ductor in case of any accident ; while the conductors themselves 

 might be enabled to communicate with each other and with the 

 engine-driver. 



4. While noticing the subject of railway accidents arising 

 from causes beyond the control of the passengers, or those who 

 have the management of the trains, it would be an injustice to 

 a most meritorious and generally intelligent class of persons not 

 to acknowledge the zeal, courage, skill, and good conduct of the 

 engine-drivers, conductors, and stokers, as a body. All who 

 have had opportunities of experience in railway transport will feel 

 the justice of such a tribute in the exact proportion of the extent 

 of their experience. Innumerable instances might be offered of 

 admirable judgment and presence of mind exhibited by this class 

 of men in the emergencies which arise in railway travelling. 



An incident which occurred on the Chester and Holyhead 

 Railway may be mentioned as one among numbers in attestation 

 of this, and in which, although the promptness and presence of 

 mind of the engineer were not successful in effecting the safety 

 of the passengers, they were not the less admirable. 



5. On the 24th of May, 1847, a fatal accident occurred to a 

 train in crossing the bridge over the Dee. The train consisted 

 of the engine and tender, weighing 30 tons, followed by three 

 passenger carriages, a luggage-van, and another passenger 

 carriage, containing in all 25 passengers, the gross weight of the 

 train being 60 tons. 



The train proceeded safely over the first and second arches, 

 and the engine reached the middle of the third arch to a point 

 about 50 feet from the abutments of the bridge. At that point 

 the engine-driver felt the railway sinking under him. With 

 admirable promptitude he instantly opened the steam valve to 

 the fullest extent of its power, giving to the train a sudden pull, 

 so as to endeavour to clear the bridge before the catastrophe, of 

 the imminence of which he was instantly conscious, should occur. 



His purpose was but partially successful. The engine cleared 

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