South Fork Dam: Difference between revisions
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===Accident=== |
===Accident=== |
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{{main|Johnstown Flood}} |
{{main|Johnstown Flood}} |
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On May 31, 1889, after several days of unprecedented rainfall, the dam gave way. A torrent of water raced downstream, destroying several towns. When it reached [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania|Johnstown]], 2,209 people were killed, and there was $17 million in damage. |
On May 31, 1889, after several days of unprecedented rainfall, the dam gave way. A torrent of water raced downstream, destroying several towns. When it reached [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania|Johnstown]], 2,209 people were killed, and there was $17 million in damage. |
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⚫ | This was the first major disaster relief effort handled by the new [[American Red Cross]], led by [[Clara Barton]]. After the flood, victims suffered a series of legal defeats in their attempt to recover damages from the dam's owners. Public indignation at that failure prompted a major development in American law state courts' move from a fault-based regime to [[strict liability]]. The Johnstown Flood became a symbol of the havoc, 20 million tons of water unleashed from the reservoir. |
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Part of the St. Michael neighborhood, and most of Creslo, of the town [[St. Michael-Sidman, Pennsylvania]] now sits on the bed of the former Lake Conemaugh. |
Part of the St. Michael neighborhood, and most of Creslo, of the town [[St. Michael-Sidman, Pennsylvania]] now sits on the bed of the former Lake Conemaugh. |
Revision as of 07:11, 16 September 2010
The South Fork Dam was located on Lake Conemaugh, an artificial body of water located near South Fork, Pennsylvania, United States. On May 31, 1889, the South Fork Dam failed catastrophically and 20 million tons of water from Lake Conemaugh burst through and raced 14 miles (23 km) downstream, causing the Johnstown Flood.
The South Fork Dam was originally built between 1838-1853 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of the canal system to be used as a reservoir for the state's Main Line of Public Works canal basin in Johnstown. It was abandoned by the commonwealth, sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad, and sold again to private interests.
Prior to the flood, speculators had purchased the abandoned reservoir, made less than well-engineered repairs to the old dam, raised the lake level, built cottages and a clubhouse, and created the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. Members of the exclusive and secretive retreat in the mountains were 61 wealthy Pittsburgh steel and coal financiers and industrialists, including Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, Philander Knox, John George Alexander Leishman, Henry Clay Frick and Daniel Johnson Morrell.
Lake Conemaugh
Accident
On May 31, 1889, after several days of unprecedented rainfall, the dam gave way. A torrent of water raced downstream, destroying several towns. When it reached Johnstown, 2,209 people were killed, and there was $17 million in damage.
This was the first major disaster relief effort handled by the new American Red Cross, led by Clara Barton. After the flood, victims suffered a series of legal defeats in their attempt to recover damages from the dam's owners. Public indignation at that failure prompted a major development in American law state courts' move from a fault-based regime to strict liability. The Johnstown Flood became a symbol of the havoc, 20 million tons of water unleashed from the reservoir.
Part of the St. Michael neighborhood, and most of Creslo, of the town St. Michael-Sidman, Pennsylvania now sits on the bed of the former Lake Conemaugh.
See also
External links
References
- public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
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