Accident to a Brig, and narrow escape of the Master, at Sutton Bridge.
A horrendous accident under a bridge near Wisbech caused chaos, but luckily no loss of life.
“On the subject of this accident (mentioned in our last) a correspondent has communicated the following fuller particulars: – ‘As the brig Robert James, Haynes, the property of Mr. Rd. Young, an extensive merchant and shipowner at this port, was proceeding down the river on Sunday the 12th inst. with a gentle breeze, on entering the archway of the bridge a sudden gust brought her rigging in contact with one of the leaves of the bridge, which carried away her main top-mast, and the ponderous mass (the leaf), weighing about 25 tons, fell with a tremendous crash upon the stern of the vessel, breaking through the massive timbers as if cut with a saw. The master and the pilot, who stood at the wheel, perceiving the mass descending on them, sprang forward, and saved themselves from instant destruction. Had a sacrifice of human life been added to the loss of property by this unfortunate collision, it would have been for a jury to assess the amount of damages in the shape of deodand* upon the bridge company, which would no doubt have been the subject of complaint ever since its first opening, has now become an intolerable nuisance to the trade of Wisbech, which year after year call more loudly for its abatement. When it was erected, nothing larger than vessels of 50 to 100 tons were contemplated; and even for this class the bridge was wretchedly constructed. Hence, however much the accidents constantly occurring may be deplored, it is nothing surprising that vessels four time the burden of those originally contemplated should find difficulty in passing through a bridge erected under such different circumstances. Should the late accident lead to re-construction upon an improved principle, or, to its removal altogether as suggested by several parties interested in drainage and navigation.”
The Stamford Mercury, 24th July, 1846.
*deodand: a thing forfeited to God, specifically, an object or instrument that becomes forfeited because it has caused a person’s death.