A devastating rail disaster

 

Many people lie in Rookwood the victims of tragic life ending events. Some died alone, others were one of a significant number who also called time at the same event. There are many who were victims of rail disasters; ironically a public transport system that revolutionized the tyranny of distance and was a boon for people and goods movement. Today I will focus on an event that occurred on the 31st of October 1894.

THE REDFERN RAIL DISASTER.

On Wednesday October 31, 1894, the train stations along the western Sydney line were full of commuters, mainly males, heading to their places of employment either in the CBD or outer suburbs and trains ran one after the other within minutes.

A commuter train from Strathfield that ran through Ashfield on the fast line prior to 9.30am was proceeding along as usual until just as it was reaching the signal-box above Redfern Station when it collided with the Southern train heading for Goulburn departing from platform 6.

The suburban train had slowed down to stop at Redfern Station and the Southern train which had just left the platform was travelling slowly, however the low speed of both vehicles proved to be a saving grace of this disaster even though it resulted in 13 deaths and more that 27 casualties.

The suburban train was drawn by a small tank engine and the Southern train by a more recently purchased heavier one. The force of the collision caused the cars to crash and collapse upon one another.

The steam that escaped from the boiler of the engine on the commuter train after the pipes were broken, burst into the cabins. Alarmed passengers tried to escape the steam that caused intense pain to their exposed skin but many couldn’t find an exit. Windows were smashed but that avenue was denied due to protective bars fastened to the window sashes outside. Not only did escaping steam pour into the carriages but the smoke and ash from the damaged engine entered the compartments. Many also witnessed the end of another carriage crashing into their passenger car and threatening their lives. Most of the passengers in the first car of the commuter train were injured in varying degrees.

The most badly injured was the Fireman, Charles Frederick Orr of the Strathfield train, carrying intense scalding and once help arrived he was removed to Sydney Hospital where he later succumbed to his horrific injuries. The driver, Mr W Pearce, was also badly injured. There was a scene of chaos as an army of helpers arrived to assist in stretchering away the most seriously injured whilst the walking wounded rendered assistance as best they could.

No one aboard the Southern Train was injured with little damage caused to the train engine but none to the carriages with the exception of the one nearest the engine. As soon as the injured had been removed from the scene, the Goulburn bound train was rejigged and soon dispatched to Goulburn. The Strathfield train was considerably damaged with the engine total destroyed and two of its carriages were substantially damaged.

As news spread of the accident hundreds of people converged upon Redfern wanting details of the injured, to help and assist and/or to view the scene.

Old Redfern Station - City of Sydney archives

Several of the passengers who died as a result of their injuries are residents of Rookwood and I will mention just two of them in this blog.

Firstly, Edward Lloyd Jones, the youngest son of David Jones of the Retail empire and at the time of the accident, the Chairman of David Jones & Co. who had taken control of the company in 1877. He was badly scalded and taken to Sydney Hospital where he was treated by his brother, Dr Philip Sydney Jones, to no avail. He is buried in the Old Independent area of the Cemetery.

Edward Lloyd Jones - National Portrait Gallery with thanks 

Born in Sydney in 1844, Edward took a keen interest in the family firm from an early age beginning in the fancy goods department. He took up partnership in the firm with Mr Woodward and Mr Edwards and once they had retired, he became the senior member of the firm which had greatly expanded from the drapery business it had started out from in 1838. Edward had conducted many trips overseas following the latest trends and had only returned two years earlier to take up a closer overview of the new buildings and the firms finances. He was in the prime of his life when he died and his son, Charles Lloyd Jones took his place on the Board and control of David Jones & Co. The retail business is currently celebrating 185 years.

The Jones family @ 1860 - seated Jane and David; standing left to right.

George, David, Edward, Philip - ancestry.com on public display

Edward Lloyd Jones monument - author's own

Another Rookwood resident who died from his injuries was Thornton Bulmer, a young lawyer from nearby Strathfield. He was educated in Brighton England and graduated in Oxford where he was a popular and accomplished student. Thornton was also an athlete and had been a captain in his football, cricket and athletic clubs of his university College. The tragedy of his death is all the worse as he and his parents and sister had only arrived in Sydney in January 1894, and he was immediately admitted as a Barrister at the Bar of NSW with chambers in Elizabeth Street Sydney. Thornton was the grandson of the Honorary George Thornton, MLC of Sydney (who will be the subject of a separate blog later on). He is buried in the Old Anglican area of the cemetery.

Thornton Bulmer's headstone - author's own

Conflicting accounts were presented by the Redfern signalman, George Lawrence and the engine driver of the Southern train, William Williams. Lawrence stated that the signal had not been lowered for the Southern train while Lawrence stated the opposite. At the inquest held the day after the accident, Williams was committed for trial on the charge of manslaughter. He was charged with the manslaughter of Charles Frederick Orr, the conductor on the suburban train and appeared at the Central Criminal Court.

Once again differing accounts were given by Lawrence and Williams. Williams maintained the signal had definitely been lowered which indicated the line was clear for the Southern train to leave the Station. Lawrence stated that the signals had not been adhered to but that he had not been feeling well on the day of the accident. The jury returned with a verdict of Not Guilty against Williams who was discharged from the Railways, although he did rejoin in another lesser position soon after.

Eventually it was determined that the accident happened due to a number of factors including clocks being set incorrectly and Lawrence being unwell with mistakes being made in the signals.

Even though safety has been improved with the Railways over the years, accidents involving the loss of life keep occurring. The last major accident which many of us remember was in January 1977 when a Mountains train ran into the stanchions of the Bold Street Bridge at Granville west of Sydney causing them and the bridge itself to collapse onto the train resulting in 83 deaths.

I have drawn on a number of references whilst piecing this blog together from many newspaper articles listed in Trove and other sources.

May they all Rest in Peace.

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