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Point Ellice Bridge Disaster

by Lily Wray

September 9, 2015

On May 26, 1896 a streetcar crowded with 143 crashed through the Point Ellice Bridge into the Gorge waterway. Fifty-five men, women and children perished in this terrible accident, making this one of the worst accidents in Canadian transit history.

Grade 8 student Lily Wray (Central Middle School) stopped by the Royal BC Museum to tell Curious guest editor Ben Fast about the disaster, her school project, and her own family’s connection to the Point Ellice Bridge Disaster.

The music heard in this episode is licensed under the Creative Commons License by Bensound: bensound.com

Microsoft Word - PBLbrochureBen.docx

Microsoft Word - PBLbrochureBen.docx

 

IMG_6463 WEB
Central Middle School student Lily Wray holds two artifacts from her great-great-grandfather’s career with the BC Electric Railway Company.

 

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The transit badge used by Lily Wray’s great-great-grandfather during his time as a driver with the BC Electric Railway Company.
IMG_6472 WEB
The pocket watch used by Lily Wray’s great-great-grandfather during his time as a driver with the BC Electric Railway Company. The watch was later used by Lily’s grandfather, who also worked for the BC Electric Railway Company, in the 1950s, and who visited the museum with Lily for the recording. The watch continues to keep perfect time.

 

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Lily Wray
Lily Wray
Contributor, Royal BC Museum
Lily is a 4th generation Victorian currently attending oak bay high school. From a young age, Lily loved visiting the museum and interacting with the many exhibits. Lily is also an avid athlete in both soccer and softball. She has a passion for reading, particularly historical fiction, has a keen interest in history and is excited to be a part of this issue Curious!

Categorized Architecture, Archives, Audio, Family, Human History, Museums, Victoria

Published September 8, 2015

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©2021 Curious.
A project of the Royal BC Museum

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Cite “Point Ellice Bridge Disaster”

Lily Wray, “Point Ellice Bridge Disaster, ” Curious Quarterly Journal 001 (2015), accessed January 18, 2021. https://curious.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/point-ellice-bridge-disaster/
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