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Ghosts of the Ashtabula Bridge Disaster

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Author Topic: Ghosts of the Ashtabula Bridge Disaster  (Read 932 times)
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Sandra
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« on: August 04, 2008, 08:58:57 pm »

William Alsell, the telegraph operator, had fallen and stumbled down the snow-covered hill to the wreck just moments after seeing the train plunge to its doom. Kicking out windows, he pulled wounded and unconscious passengers to safety and fought bravely to keep them from the fire and icy waters. Meanwhile, Daniel McGuire, after bringing the “Socrates” to a halt, sprinted to the depot with the terrible news before returning to the scene. A minute later, brakeman A.L. Stone, who had escaped from the last car, limped into the station. He was badly hurt and bleeding but managed to send a telegram to Erie in case another train was following behind the No. 5. Within minutes, every bell in Ashtabula was sounding the alarm for firemen and volunteers.

The fire, which killed more people than the initial wreck, has been a subject of mystery and debate since 1876. Although the Ashtabula fire department managed to get one engine down to the fire, no hoses were ever connected and no water, save for a few buckets of melted snow, was ever directed at the burning debris. It was rumored afterwards that officials from the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad forbade anyone to put out the fire. The reason, according to rumors, was that the company’s insurance liability would be less if the passengers were not only dead, but burned beyond recognition as well. There was no truth to this but it added to the finger-pointing and blame that followed.

The less dramatic reasons were the confusing conditions at the scene. No one had ever seen anything like this before and when Ashtabula fire chief G.A. Knapp arrived on the scene 45 minutes after the crash (possibly intoxicated), he found a scene of total pandemonium. There was no organized effort to do anything. Passengers and rescuers were simply trying to save any0ne they could and were hampered by the fire, the water, smoke, snow and treacherous terrain. Efforts were further impeded by the hundreds of spectators who had gathered and by the activities of thieves, who boldly robbed the wounded and helpless passengers. The terror at the scene was increased by the terrible snapping noise created by the paint on the train cars as it ignited.

Fire Chief Knapp gazed in bewilderment at the wreck and asked train station agent George Strong which side of the burning mass he and his men should put water on. Strong, more concerned about the advancing flames killing more people while the decisions were being made, told him to forget about the water and to worry about getting the people out instead. This was likely the right decision but it never mattered for no actual orders were given by Knapp, Strong or any Ashtabula officials that night. The firemen simply pitched into the efforts of the rescue workers and concentrated their efforts on pulling the wounded from their fiery and watery fates. The fire eventually burned itself out and by daybreak was a blackened pile of burned metal, scorched debris and roasted human flesh.

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