[güttsfükk]

for more threads like this one : http://www.documentingreality.com/fo...me-line-45276/

The Johnstown Flood (or Great Flood of 1889 as it became known locally) occurred on May 31, 1889. It was the result of the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam situated 14 miles (23 km) upstream of the town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA, made worse by several days of extremely heavy rainfall. The dam's failure unleashed a torrent of 20 million tons of water (4.8 billion U.S. gallons; 18.2 million cubic meters; 18.2 billion litres). The flood killed 2,209 people and caused US$17 million of damage. It was the first major disaster relief effort handled by the new American Red Cross, led by Clara Barton. Support for victims came from all over the United States and 18 foreign countries. 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 John Schultz house at Johnstown, PA after the flood. Neatly skewered by a huge tree uprooted by the flood, the house floated down from Union Street to the end of Main. Six people, including Schultz himself, were inside the house when the flood hit. All of them survived.

sources - wiki & google image search

[Sharon]

2,209 killed? That's atrocious The first image and it's story is amazing

[paingiver]

I grew up 20 minutes or so from were this happened. Went to the Johnstown Flood Museum for a class field trip. Such a huge tragedy.

[Norwegian1]

Wow, very interesting.. good pictures from the era as well

[PTSD Is My Life]

Awesome post I had never heard of this before, the loss of life was huge and the photos are tremendous!

[bigjoe]

Saw this on The Men Who Built America.

Henry Clay Frick wanted a road over a dam widened so his carriage can comfortably take him to his country club.

He got his road widened. It weakened the dam. The rest is history.

[Powerslide]

My home town. The interesting thing is this is only one of many floods in the town of Johnstown. 1911, 1936, and 1977 (also many more minor floods). The 77 flood also had loss of life, I cant say for the others...