Welcome to this tribute site to a sad event from over 200 years ago
Afficting Accident : Paisley November 11, 1810
A most melancholy event took place here yesterday, in which many lives have been lost, and which has occasioned unspeakable distress in many a family. On Tuesday last, an elegant passage boat began to ply betwixt this place ( Paisley ) and the Bridge of Johnstone, being the first part of the Ardrossan and Glasgow Canal which has been rendered navigable. Independent of those who travelled by this conveyance, the novelty of the scene induced many to take a trip from one town to the other, and back again, being a distance of only four miles; many parents had promised their children a sail on Saturday, and numerous parties of young people had been formed for that day.
The boat arrived from Johnstone, at the basin at Paisley, about one o’clock, fully loaded with passengers, who crowded to the side of the boat to get on shore; whilst a number of those on shore at the same time rushed on board, anxious to secure their places. The boatman pushed off a little, to prevent more people from getting on board, when the boat, borne down by the accumulated pressure on both sides, heeled, and thre above 100 of those on the deck into the water. Every exertion was used to rescue the unfortunate sufferers from a watery grave, and with some success; but we lament to say, that about 70 people, as nearly as be be collected, have lost their lives.
