Hoosac Tunnel Victims Memorial - Florida, MA
Posted by: Groundspeak Charter Member 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: WM16RVQ
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 09/28/2022
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Outspoken1
Views: 1

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

Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency)

Roadside Attractions Website: [Web Link]

Location Website: [Web Link]

Weekday Hours: Not listed

Weekend Hours: Not listed

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