PAST IMPERFECT:The death of Mary Ward in 1869 gives Ireland claim to what was likely the world's first motoring fatality
IN 1831, A PARLIAMENTARY committee reported that steam carriages were safe and did not damage the roads as much as horse-drawn traffic. They also recommended that the high tolls for steam vehicles on roads be reduced. However, no action was taken until 1865, when parliament passed the 1865 Locomotive Act. This Act laid down that:
It shall not be lawful to drive any such Locomotive along any Turnpike Road or Public Highway at a greater speed than 2 miles per hour… and that at least three persons shall be employed to drive or conduct such Locomotive… one of such persons … shall precede such Locomotive on foot by not less than 60 yards and shall carry a Red Flag constantly displayed.
This restrictive legislation did not stop the Third Earl of Rosse from designing a steam vehicle, which he used on his estate at Birr and on journeys in the surrounding area. Sadly, it was involved in 1869 in the death of noted naturalist Mary Ward while she and her husband were guests of the Earl at Birr castle. The Midland Tribune of September 1st 1869 reported it as follows:
APPALLING ACCIDENT
On yesterday, the people of Parsonstown [now Birr] were much excited and grieved at a sad accident which occurred in the town. In the afternoon of yesterday the Hon Captain Ward, his wife, the Hon Mrs Ward, the Hons. Clare and Charles Parsons, and Mrs Biggs, the tutor to the young gentlemen, were on a steam carriage which has been built by Lord Rosse. The vehicle had steam up, and was going at an easy pace, when on turning the sharp corner at the church, unfortunately the Hon Mrs Ward was thrown from the seat and fearfully injured, causing her almost immediate death. The unfortunate lady was taken into the house of Dr Woods which is situate nearly opposite the scene of the unhappy occurrence, and as that gentleman was on the spot everything that could be done was done, but it was impossible to save her life.
Mary Ward had illustrated several books and scientific articles by Sir David Brewster, the Scottish physicist (who had invented the kaleidoscope). Her pioneering work with a microscope led to the publication of her book, Sketches with the Microscope, which was reprinted eight times between 1858 and 1880 under the title The World of Wonders as revealed by the Microscope.
At the inquest, the jury gave in a verdict without retiring, that the deceased came to her death by an accidental fall from a steam engine.
Interestingly, there is nothing to suggest that the red flag rule was being observed at the time of the accident. Sadly, the steam carriage did not survive (most probably being destroyed as was the custom at the time with machinery which was involved in a fatal accident). Perhaps strangest of all, given that it operated successfully for several years, and in view of Lady Rosse’s pioneering interest in photography, no photograph of it has ever come to light. Ireland has few motoring first’s save this regrettable accident, which is almost certainly the first fatal motoring accident in the world.
On Saturday August 29th, as part of National Heritage Week, Birr Historical Society will commemorate the event. Details on: heritageweek.ie