Where. identification was possible, the body was laid aside, and the crowd re spectfully' fell back in" the presence of sorrow.- To describe the scene as it actually was is not possible in the time allowed to a hastily- written sketch. ' May 26. ; The story of the wreck of the Victoria, as told, by competent witnesses who were on board, shows that the ill-fated' vessel was on her last trip, on Queen's Birthday, and on setting out from Spring Bank to return to the city she had nearly all her passengers olrthe way down, and in addi tion a large number who were waiting on the* wharf to be conveyed home. " The number on board on the return trip is estimated at 700, a burden out of all pro , portion' to the strength and capacity of 1 the vessel. Shortly after passing Wood land' Cemetery the boat began to rock,' and the crowd surged from one side to the -other with 'each oscillation; rather enjoy ing the fun than being in. any way •alarmed. : One passenger • stated that a number of youths on the upper deck took delight in keeping up the rocking motion by moving from' one side to the other, while others shouted gleefully, " Let her sink; we'll • only have to wade ashore." It is said by some, though denied by others, that the officers in chai'ge endea voured'to induce the passengers to remain quiet, but their efforts were unavailing. The' crowd surged from aide to side, and with each movement the vessel took an increasing quantity of water in the lower deck, to tlie:terror of some and the delight of more. No one seemed to foresee dan ger. Suddenly the position became alarm ing. -When nearly opposite Coverbridge, the water, to a depth of a foot or more, rushed.in on the south side of the boat, and the crowd surged again to the north, the boat slowly following the movement, listing over, to that side. This time the vessel almost turned on her edge, and the deck floor became. elevated to an angle not far from perpendicular. 