Providence Patriot, Columbian Phenix

Fatal Accident by the fall of Mr. Canning's Statue.—

Wednesday afternoon, a dreadful accident occurred at the establishment of Mr. Westmacott, the eminent artist and sculptor, in Brewer-street, Pimlico, we are grieved to state, Mr. Vincent Gaigan, the principal assistant lost his life. It will be recollected that Mr. W. was employed to execute the statue of Mr. Canning, which is to be placed on a pedestal in Palace-yard, Westminster. The figure, which is of the most colossal dimensions, being nearly twelve feet high, weighing nearly four tons, is now in a state of great forwardness. On Wednesday, Mr. Gaigan, together with four of his men, were at work upon the cast, which was raised from its base by means of pulleys and a windlass. Mr. G. was in the act of soldering some part of the statue, when the tackle by which it was secured, gave way suddenly, and melancholy to relate, the immense figure fell upon the unfortunate man and, altho' only two minutes elapsed before the statue was removed, he was found to be quite dead. He was a man of talent, and had the management of the business for the last twenty-eight years. He has a widow and six children to deplore his untimely end.