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 Hoosac Tunnel Vent Shaft Fire Memorial - Florida, MA Posted by:  neoc1
N 42° 40.558 W 073° 02.784
18T E 660071 N 4726682
The Hoosac Tunnel Vent Shaft Fire Memorial is located opposite 136 Central Shaft Road in Florida, MA
Waymark Code: WM16RVH
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 09/28/2022
Views: 0
On October 18, 1867 thirteen miners were working 580' underground to create the Hoosac Tunnel, a railroad tunnel connecting Florida to North Adams built underneath the Hoosac Range. An explosion occurred in the service building above the vent shaft and the building was destroyed by fire. This caused the vent shaft to collapse and the debris, equipment and tools rained down on the miners below. Some miners were killed by the falling debris. Destruction of the shaft made rescue impossible and others miners were killed by the subsequent flooding of the tunnel.
A granite plaque near the location of the vent shaft fire is inscribed:
IN MEMORY OF
BURNETT, JAMES CONNOLLY, PATRICK HASKINS, EDWIN
CAVANAUGH, JAMES COOK, THOMAS
McCORMACK, J.
COLLINS, PETER CURRON, JOHN MULCARE, THOMAS
COLLINS, THOMAS FITZGERALD, JAMES WHELAN, MICHAEL
PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN MESSIER, JOSEPH
VICTIMS OF THE HOOSAC TUNNEL VENT SHAFT FIRE
19-OCTOBER-1867
Type of Structure: Private Building
Fire Date: 10/19/1867
Structure status: Plaque
Cause of Fire:
Explosion of flammable materials stored in the vent shaft service building.
Documentation of the fire: [Web Link]
Other: Not listed
Construction Date: Not listed
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Give a narrative of your experience. Did you learn anything after reading about the fire in the waymark? Photos are always welcome too. Please no virtual visits.
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