Details of Railway Accidents in the Ottawa Area

1891, November 13 - Ottawa Electric car hits a Canada Atlantic train in the Chaudiere. Minor injuries

Ottawa Citizen 14 November 1891 A CLOSE CALL. Collision Between an Electric Car and C. A. R. Freight Train The first casualty of consequence which has befallen the electric street railway in the four months of its existence occurred at five minutes to eight o'clock last night at the Chaudiere. Car number 14, of the main line, was descending the hill at Broad street, approaching the C.P.R. station, just as Canada Atlantic lumber train was backing into the Chaudiere yards. Motorman Lunny did not see the red light signal which C.A.R. Gateman Eastman had placed on the middle street car track while he swung his "all right" signal to the approaching train, till within a very short distance of the crossing, He put the brakes on, but the rails were slippery and the car slid on the rails. Then he reversed the motor which, fortunately, took instantaneous effect, and just as the first car of the lumber train struck the front platform the electric car started back up grade. The damage was, however, serious enough as it was. Five passengers were in the car and when the collision occurred all were thrown from their seats by the shock. Mr. Andy Burrows, the well-known drover, was injured about the left hip and leg, but managed to walk to the Canadian Pacific Railway depot, where station Officer Graves assisted him on board the train for Smith's Falls, which is Mr. Burrows' home now. A lady passenger, Mrs. Higman. was thrown against the opposite seat and bruised somewhat about the head. The motorman was thrown uninjured from the platform, which is badly twisted. The hood, too, was torn off. In half an hour Mr. Ahearn and Superintendent Hutchison had the wrecked car straightened out and back in the shed. The damage to the car will not amount to more than $20, but it was certainly a narrow escape for all five passengers, for had not the reversing gear worked instantaneously the car would have certainly been ground to pieces by the passing lumber train. Ottawa Journal 14 November 1891 ALL RIGHT THIS TIME A CLOSE CALL FOR PASSENGERS ON AN ELECTRIC MOTOR A casualty was very narrowly avoided last evening at the Chaudiere. Electric car No.14 was descending the hill at Broad Street just as a C.A.R. lumber train was backing into the Chaudiere yard. Motor man Lunny did not see the danger signal which gateman Eastman had placed on the car track while he swung his "all right" signal to the approaching lumber train, until a short distance of the crossing. He put on the brake but the rails were slippery, and the car would not stop. Then he reversed the motor, which worked well, and just as the first car of the lumber train struck the front platform of the electric car started back up grade. There were five passengers on the car at the time of the accident, and all were thrown about the car. Mr. A. Burrows, the drover was hurt in the hip but not enough to prevent his taking the train for his home in Smith's Falls. A lady passenger, Mrs. Higman, got a bruise on the head. The motor man was also thrown from the platform. The damage to the car will likely reach about $20. It was a narrow escape from wreck by the passing lumber train. Ottawa Free Press 14 November 1891 An alarming electric street railway accident occurred near the C.P.R station last night-- one of the open end cars running on Rideau street to the Union depot, had proceeded down Albert street to the junction of that street and Broad street, which is on the Richmond road.  At this turning on to Broad street there is a steep grade down to the station.  Midway between the beginning of the grade and the terminus of this section a side or bye line of the C.P.R crosses the street.  This line is used solely for freight and it was here that the accident took place.  The electric car had rounded the corner of Albert and Broad streets and had just entered on the down grade on the curve when the bell of the train was heard and at the same time the string of freight cars was seen crossing the street very slowly.  The motor man at once applied the brake.  No use!  The wheels spun around without the aid of electricity and the momentum of the electric car caused it to run full tilt INTO THE TRAIN whilst the passengers screamed.  More.

Return to Main Page of Railway Accidents



Updated 15 April 2023