Brooklyn Malbone Disaster Commemoration, 1 November, Noon-2PM, Prospect Park

[daveklepper]

From Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President

Friends,

 

Our city's transit system has experienced an incredible transformation through the years as our population increased and the need to travel expanded to every corner of the five boroughs. Brooklyn's rich transit history is a truly remarkable story of ingenuity, labor, and technological advancement. But that journey also had a tragic and enduring legacy.

 

On November 1, 1918, our borough experienced what remains the worst train disaster in New York City history, and one of the deadliest in the history of the United States. At least ninety-three lives were lost in the Malbone Street Wreck in which a five-car train derailed and left the tracks as it was heading into a tunnel underneath Malbone Street toward Prospect Park station along the Brighton Beach Line. The tragedy devastated the families impacted and shocked our borough. It also led to many reforms in our transit system, which greatly improved the safety and security of all riders.

 

To commemorate the centennial of the Malbone Street Wreck, please join me on Thursday, November 1st from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Prospect Park's Willink Plaza at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue, Empire Boulevard, and Ocean Avenue during a community event in which we will remember those we lost on that day and reflect on the reforms that took place in the years that followed. Special thanks to our partners including Brooklyn Historical Society, FDNY, Green-Wood, New York City Council, New York Transit Museum, One Brooklyn Fund Inc., Prospect Park Alliance, and Transport Workers Union Local 100 for helping to make this event possible.

 

To RSVP, please email [e-mail]. I hope to see you at this important community gathering!

 

 

-Eric

[Firelock76]

The Malbone Disaster, I'm stunned, I never heard of it!

Something of that magnitude should be mentioned in every history of American rail disasters, but I've never seen a mention of it, at all.

Possibly it was overshadowed by the First World War raging in Europe at the time? I can't think of any other reason why it's not more remembered.

Then again, the horrific flu epidemic of 1918 is almost forgotten as well.  Sad.

[blue streak 1]

From what has been published censorship durig WW-1 was severe.  Ascestors history mentions the flu epidemic with wagons going down streets in Atlanta picking up dead.  Absolutely no newspaper coverage of same.  Reports that president Wilson even threatened Senators  with jail for disclosing internal US problems, 

[daveklepper]

The NY Tribune front page shows the local catastrophe had to compete with news of the War for readers' attention.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1918-11-02/ed-1/seq-1.pdf

[Overmod]

Firelock76

Something of that magnitude should be mentioned in every history of American rail disasters, but I've never seen a mention of it, at all.

It was worse than usually described.  Surprised that the 'ghost hunters' aren't out in force; if there are tormented souls from anything, they'd be there.

If I remember correctly, the lawsuits from this wreck broke the BMT.

 

[Firelock76]

I'm still stunned, but at least someone remembers.

And I learned something new.  I'm still amazed it's not mentioned in any railwreck historys, at least none that I've read.  "Real" rail snobbery against subways?  If that's the case it's just not right.

[Overmod]

In the New York spirit of laughing in the face of death: this from the Manhattan side of things:

Along came the IRT, a'cannon ballin' through
From Two-hundred-forty-second Street to Flatbush Avenue
At 5:15 one Friday Eve, she pulled into Times Square
The people all filled the station, and Georgie he was there.

The people all filled the station, they milled and massed around
And Georgie looked upon that train and it was Brooklyn bound
He vowed at once that train to board, the weekend not to roam
For Georgie was a shipping clerk and Brooklyn was his home.

The people all filled the station, a million head or more
George used his elbows and his knees until he reached the door
But when he reached those portals, he could not take the gaff
The conductor shut the door on him and cut poor George in half

The train pulled out of Times Square, the swiftest on the line
It carried poor George's head along, but it left his body behind
Poor Georgie died a hero's death, a legend [martyr] plain to see
And the very last words poor Georgie said were "Screw the IRT"

Now when you ride the IRT and you approach Times Square
Incline your head a few degrees and say a silent prayer
For his body it lies between the ties, amidst the dust and dew
And his head it rides the IRT to Flatbush Avenue.

Recorded by Dave Van Ronk (of Garden State Stomp fame)
Tune: Engine 143 (aka Wreck of the F.F.V) by the Carter Family

[Miningman]

The New York City Subway System (Building America: Then and Now) by Ronald A. Reis 

https://issuu.com/ilovegraffiti/docs/the_new_york_city_subway_system__2009__-__malestro

 

[daveklepper]

From Mike:

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

While not lessening the impact of this disaster, accidents of this magnitude involving local transit don't get that much coverage beyond the immediate geographic area, even today.  Unless a person is involved in our hobby or is unusually well read, events like Malbone Street remain relatively unknown.

[daveklepper]

More from Mike:

http://ec2-35-169-86-46.compute-1.amazonaws.com/iiif/2/islandora%3A66623~JP2~53e25e9fee5cedc809d946a21397573a0104d738d1403ed9014ebac2a3e2ecc3/0,14,1865,1413/1868,1443/0/default.jpg

 

http://digitalcollections.nyhistory.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A66623

 

[daveklepper]

Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Malbone Street Wreck at the Museum in Downtown Brooklyn

 

 

Afternoon Lecture  MALBONE STREET REVISTED Thursday, November 1st, 3pm Transit Museum, Downtown Brooklyn  Free with Museum Admission    November 1st marks the 100th Anniversary of the Malbone Street Wreck, the worst subway accident in the history of New York City. At 3pm, join transit historians and CUNY adjunct professors Andrew Sparberg and Joe Cunningham for an illustrated lecture exploring the history of the event and its aftermath, the ramifications of which can still be felt today. Please Note: Pre-Registration is not required for this drop-in event, which is included with your museum admission. Capacity is limited and admittance to the event space is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.