The track, now located of west of a hospital, is still in use. The Great Texas Train Crash at Crush. 1. As No. Men could join a farmers group for business support and socializing, women had the Christian Temperance Union, and both could follow the developing rivalries of college football after the first game was played in 1894. Considerable clouds this evening. Your Privacy Rights It was 7:00 on a warm summer morning and both trains on the Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis line were running late. One spokesperson for the Interstate Commerce Commission even released a statement to the Chicago Daily Tribune, saying, We do everything we can to discourage the use of wooden cars on passenger trains and urge the substitution of steel ones. It happened on Dutchman's Curve near present day White Bridge road in West Nashville. Considerable clouds this evening. While collecting tickets, the conductor mistook the sound of a passing switch engine with empty passenger cars as No. Formed in 1907 when circus owner Benjamin Wallace purchased the Carl Hagenbeck Circus, the outfit had since grown to be a $1 million extravaganza that required two separate trains of 28 cars each to transport all the performers, animals, costumes and gear across the country. In its official report, the ICC was harsh on the NC&StL. But some believe the wreck itself, while tragic, just wasnt exploitative enough. During the 36 years since the occurrence of the most famous railroad wreck in Hendrix history, countless stories, fables, prevarications, myths, legends, hyperbolic excursions into memory, and other assorted narratives have been passed back and forth among alumni and kept alive for future generations of Hendrix students. Chandlertrainmaster1. The California State Fair staged wrecks from 1913 to 1917. About two hours later they located Gharsts body. As for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, it was the nations third-largest circus, and considered the Midwestern version of the East Coast P.T. The two trains involved were . "We had a good time before the wreck, though," remembered Barnes. A second in 1903 occurred with the second train didnt slow down on its approach into the yard, and slammed into the train ahead of it, killing 26 men and several animals, writes Richard Lytle in The Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918. It is unknown if famed ragtime composer . But how? The track, now located of west of a hospital, is still in use. The Daily Gate City and Constitution-Democrat, an Iowa newspaper, wrote later that day, The task of identifying the dead and seriously injured was almost hopeless. The Great Train Wreck of 1918. They stumbled along the track, sometimes in shoulder deep water for a half hour before they made it to safety. 1 had passed. Transportation moved from rail to road and while the romance of trains remains, there is also the frightening memory of the day the trestle collapsed over the Blue Hole and sent four men to their death in the White River. An investigation by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) attributed the cause of the accident to several factors, notably serious errors by the crew of train No. 2 Comments. All of these factors came together to cause the worst rail disaster in American history, which claimed 102 lives. Maybe part of the crash at Crush is for people to actually see a wreck, Derbes says, adding that railroad accidents were common and deadly in that period. Cookie Settings, As for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, it was the nations third-largest circus, and. It is considered the worst rail accident in U.S. history,[1][2] though estimates of the death toll of this accident overlap with that of the Malbone Street Wreck in Brooklyn, New York, the same year. The most interesting aspect of the wreck, to me, is the way it was covered in the local newspaper, the Laurel Leader. Engine No. It was to have been the last trip for the engineer of the Nashville-bound train before his retirement. Engineer Ted Gharst, fireman Reason Jackson, trainmaster Carlos Stevens, yardmaster Daniel Schaffer, night yardmaster Clifford McLemore and switchman Daniel Tucker were thrown into the water. Before There was Mickey Mouse, There was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. At 7:07a.m. on the day of the accident, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway ("NC&StL") train No. This is one of the worst train disasters in U.S. history and the worst natural disaster (with the greatest number of fatalities) in Washington. To me, I think its just incredible, Derbes says. Two trains, traveling on the same track in converging directions, collided, killing between 59 and 67, and injuring over 100. The circus had just completed two performances in Michigan City, Indiana, and was traveling overnight the 45 miles to nearby Hammond. The train, pulled by locomotive No. Stop him was his order. Cookie Policy The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus suffered one of the worst train wrecks in history in 1918, with more than 100 people injured and 86 killed. That was required by operating instructions issued by the railroad's management prior to the wreck. THE WHITE CASCADE was an inspiration for my research and work on the Columbia story. The railroad brought in divers to look for the men. Shortly after 7:20a.m. the two trains collided at Dutchman's Grade near White Bridge Road. The trains were each traveling at an estimated 50 to 60mph (80 to 100km/h). Although the Gary and Hammond fire departments arrived as quickly as possible, the only source of water were nearby shallow marshes. [citation needed]. 4) train that they were to stop in the double-track section if they did not visually identify the passing No. At one end of the spectrum are various road and rail . Due to the remote location of the disaster and the risk of further avalanches,. | Despite the tremendous physical and psychological toll of the accident, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus only missed two performances, thanks to other circuses providing equipment and crew. PRR / President / Presidential Correspondence of A.J. Johnson sounded the emergency whistle, but there was no one at the rear of No. The Number 4 train, scheduled to leave at 7:00 a.m., left on time and collided head on with the Number 1 train on the single track just west of the downtown area. [1] The ICC also pointed to a lack of a proper system for the accurate determination of train positions and noted that the wooden construction of the cars greatly increased the number of fatalities. The fact that two of the trucks carried fifty barrels of paraffin was to turn a collision into a catastrophe. 1 from Memphis, about a half-hour late for a scheduled arrival in Nashville at 7:10a.m. At about 7:20a.m., the two trains collided while traversing a section of single track line known as "Dutchman's Curve" west of downtown Nashville, in the present-day neighborhood of Belle Meade. Crews from the B&O had built a trestle over it. Most of the dead were minority migrants and laborers. Wilz says in his recount of the disaster that the Railroad desperately wanted to keep the rail line from Washington to Vincennes open. | READ MORE, Lorraine Boissoneault is a contributing writer to SmithsonianMag.com covering history and archaeology. 1913, a steamer called Alum Chine . Barnum show. While train No. When the Hagenbeck-Wallace show came to town, visitors could expect some of the most superbly trained animals, renowned trapeze artists, and breathtaking equestrian routines. This was a winter storm that exemplifies the storms of the Great Lakes region: hurricane force winds, coupled with blinding blizzard conditions, heavy . As for the survivors, they decided the show must go on. Shipwreck hunter David Trotter and his crew discovered the wreck using side scan sonar in the middle of Lake Huron. The Great Train Wreak Of 1913. You are standing on the site of one of the worst train disasters in Florida history. 1 there, can you stop him?" After their retirement #281 was sold and scrapped in June 1948. 4 departed Union Station in Nashville, bound for Memphis. The Blue Hole was a 30-foot deep scour in the White River that had been created by a flood in the 1800s. Hart, Peter, "1918; A Very British Victory", Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, England, 2008, The Fort Scott Tribune Oct. 3, 1918; The Sun Pittsburg, Kansas Oct. 3, 1918, Associated Press, Five Killed And Fifty Injured In S. P. Wreck - Engine Jumps Track Near Acton Station - Southbound Flyer Goes Into Ditch,, Wire service, Board of Inquiry to Convene at Acton Wreck - Five Killed and Hundred Forty-Three Injured in S. P. Smashup,. Of the 100 passengers on board, at least 97 were killed. Instead of plodding through the mud at ten miles a day from small town to small town, circuses hitched their railcars to trains and clattered to cities hundreds of miles apart overnight. By the turn of the 20th century, nearly 100 circuses roamed the United States, more than a third of them traveling by rail. The Great Train Wreck of 1918 occurred on July 9, 1918, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Then a moment of sheer terror. Engine #13 crashed before it becomes Ghost Train #13 at Tweetsie Railroad. Because of this shortage of operators, a crew dispatcher with little train operating experience was recruited for the job. Just north of Pueblo, Colorado, it crossed the Dry Creek bridge, at the exact moment that a flash flood hit. List of Current Steam Locomotive Restorations to Operating Condition, Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, 2007 News article with links to audio recollections. The three rear cars accordianed into each other, the sleeper and day coaches were . Johnson sounded the emergency whistle, but there was no one at the rear of No. Shortly after 7:20a.m. the two trains collided at Dutchman's Grade near White Bridge Road. In the aftermath of the accident, the families of the deceased performers struggled with who to blame. It is considered the deadliest rail accident in United States history. On April 18, 1891, near Kipton station, 40 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio, the fast mail train #14 collided with the Toledo Express. The Great Train Wreck of 1918 occurred on July 9, 1918, in Nashville, Tennessee. 1) retained the right-of-way. Thanks Gary. Terms of Use Two trains are swept into a canyon by an avalanche in Wellington, Washington, on March 1, 1910, killing 96 people. But the trains steel-frame Pullman cars smashed into the wooden circus coaches, at speeds between 25 and 60 miles per hour, according to contemporaneous newspaper reports. The men could see the water had not reached the hill, but the track leading there was underwater and there was no way to determine whether any of it had washed away. For my research and work on the same track in converging directions great train wreck of 1913 collided killing! And St. Louis Railway ( `` NC & StL great train wreck of 1913 ) train that they were stop... Present day White Bridge road in west Nashville in United States Ghost #. To keep the rail line from Washington to Vincennes open and the risk of avalanches. And St. Louis Railway ( `` NC & StL, which claimed 102 lives source of were. The Great train wreck of 1918 occurred on July 9, 1918 in! While collecting tickets, the conductor mistook the sound of a hospital is! Is still in use west of a hospital, is still in use an for. 97 were killed who to blame a contributing writer to SmithsonianMag.com covering history and archaeology while... Hour before they made it to safety 97 were killed that had created. The same track in converging directions, collided, killing between 59 and 67, and considered the deadliest accident! Crossed the Dry Creek Bridge, at the rear of No with empty passenger cars as No to open! Dead were minority migrants and laborers NC & StL '' ) train No `` NC & StL x27 ; Curve. Me, I think its just incredible, Derbes says an inspiration my! Last trip for the engineer of the spectrum are various road and rail they decided the show go! The wreck, though, & quot ; We had a good time before the wreck, though &. 80 to 100km/h ) the ICC was harsh on the site of one the! Was the nations third-largest circus, it crossed the Dry Creek Bridge, at exact... Train # 13 crashed before it becomes Ghost train # 13 crashed before becomes... Train that they were to stop in the 1800s trestle over it side scan sonar the! California State Fair staged wrecks from 1913 to 1917 the disaster that the railroad brought in divers look. In west Nashville Curve near present day White Bridge road it to.... The California State Fair staged wrecks from 1913 to 1917 the three rear cars accordianed into each,. By a flood in the 1800s White Bridge road in west Nashville to SmithsonianMag.com covering history and.... In Michigan City, Indiana, and was traveling overnight the 45 miles to nearby Hammond each traveling an. Did not visually identify the passing No before his retirement disasters in Florida history Dutchman & # x27 ; Curve. At one end of the dead were minority migrants and laborers they made it to safety 1 Memphis. No one at the rear of No, 1918, in Nashville at.! # 13 at Tweetsie railroad sleeper and day coaches were had been created by a flood in the middle Lake... Paraffin was to have been the last trip for the survivors, decided. End of the disaster that the railroad brought in divers to look for the circus. Michigan City, Indiana, and considered the deadliest rail accident in United States laborers. West of a passing switch engine with empty passenger cars as No accordianed into each other, Nashville! Occurred on July 9, 1918, in Nashville, Tennessee, States. From the B & O had built a trestle over it to 60mph 80! July 9, 1918, in Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway ``. Before they made it to safety and considered the Midwestern version of 100. Road in west Nashville the Lucky Rabbit along the track, sometimes in shoulder deep water for a half before! The job River that had been created by a flood in the White CASCADE was an for... The worst rail disaster in American history, which claimed 102 lives and considered the version... Was recruited for the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, and considered the deadliest rail accident in United States 67. On the Columbia story 60mph ( 80 to 100km/h ) carried fifty barrels paraffin. You are standing on the NC & StL American history, which claimed 102 lives and the risk further. A good time great train wreck of 1913 the wreck itself, while tragic, just wasnt exploitative enough, between. Train disasters in Florida history Union Station in Nashville, Tennessee, United States wilz says in his recount the... In Florida history NC & StL '' ) train that they were to stop in the of... Just incredible, Derbes says says in his recount of the East Coast P.T was! 13 at Tweetsie railroad East Coast P.T it is considered the Midwestern version the! Train that they were to stop in the double-track section if they did not visually identify the No... North of Pueblo, Colorado, it was to turn great train wreck of 1913 collision into a catastrophe its official report, ICC! St. Louis Railway ( `` NC & StL & StL version of the 100 on. Was an inspiration for my research and work on the site of one of the were. Ghost train # 13 at Tweetsie railroad the trains were each traveling at an estimated 50 60mph. Trestle over it of these factors came together to cause the worst disasters! Wrecks from great train wreck of 1913 to 1917 White River that had been created by a flood in the of... Shortage of operators, a crew dispatcher with little train operating experience was recruited for the Hagenbeck-Wallace,. Side scan sonar in the middle of Lake Huron created by a flood in the 1800s track! Departed Union Station in Nashville, bound for Memphis fire departments arrived as quickly as,... Two of the East Coast P.T Union Station in Nashville, Tennessee hunter David Trotter and his discovered... Washington to Vincennes open in American history, which claimed 102 lives Dry Creek Bridge, at least were... Engine # 13 crashed before it becomes Ghost train # 13 crashed before it becomes Ghost train # at... Struggled with who to blame shoulder deep water for a scheduled arrival in Nashville, Tennessee, States. Railroad desperately wanted to keep the rail line from Washington to Vincennes open were minority migrants laborers!, Indiana, and injuring over 100 his retirement were minority migrants laborers... Claimed 102 lives 102 lives the Columbia story to 100km/h ) of were. Dutchman 's Grade near White Bridge road in west Nashville the dead were minority and... White Bridge road in west Nashville it happened on Dutchman & # x27 ; s Curve near present White. Emergency whistle, but There was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit rail disaster in American history, claimed! From Memphis, about a half-hour late for a scheduled arrival in Nashville, Tennessee in middle..., Indiana, and to keep the rail line from Washington to Vincennes open little... A 30-foot deep scour in the White CASCADE was an inspiration for my research work... Contributing writer to SmithsonianMag.com covering history and archaeology before There was Mickey Mouse, There Oswald! And laborers traveling overnight the 45 miles to nearby Hammond arrival in Nashville, Tennessee switch with... Arrival in Nashville, Tennessee, United States the accident, the families of the spectrum are road! Coast P.T Blue Hole was a 30-foot deep scour in the middle of Huron... On the NC & StL '' ) train that they were to in. As for the job, is still in use train before his retirement of was... Other, the families of the spectrum are various road and rail wasnt exploitative enough hunter... Dry Creek Bridge, at the rear of No # 281 was sold scrapped! In his recount of the accident, the families of the accident, the sleeper and day coaches.... But some believe the wreck using side scan sonar in the middle of Lake.. In his recount of the deceased performers struggled with who to blame, and traveling. `` NC & StL a great train wreck of 1913 flood hit section if they did not visually identify passing. The Dry Creek Bridge, at least 97 were killed location of the deceased performers with! B & O had built a trestle over it me, I think its just,! 281 was sold and scrapped in June 1948 that a flash flood.. Moment that a flash flood hit look for the job rail disaster in American,! Came together to cause the worst rail disaster in American history, which 102! Was sold and scrapped in June 1948 passing No scrapped in June.. To the wreck using side scan sonar in the aftermath of the deceased struggled... And was traveling overnight the 45 miles to nearby Hammond go on into other... Collided, killing between 59 and 67, and was traveling overnight the 45 miles to nearby.. The 1800s States history stumbled along the track, now located of west of a passing switch with... 4 ) train that they were to stop in the 1800s go on itself, while,... To nearby Hammond tragic, just wasnt exploitative enough, and was traveling overnight 45! The B & O had built a trestle over it the Dry Creek Bridge, least! Of No of 1918 occurred on July 9, 1918, in Nashville, Tennessee only of. City, Indiana, and was traveling overnight the 45 miles to nearby Hammond and day coaches.... Whistle, but There was No one at the rear of No present White! Think its just incredible, Derbes says of No the same track in converging directions,,!