Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA
(George Barker / Library of Congress)
The Johnstown calamity of May 31, 1889 annihilated the Pennsylvanian city of Johnstown. The city, located at the intersection of three rivers, was protected by the South Fork Dam, fourteen miles upstream. But, when six to ten inches of rain fell in twenty-four hours, the dam broke, releasing 20 million tons of water. A vast wave of water swept over the city. More than 2,200 people lost their lives – at the time, the single biggest loss of civilian life in the US.
This picture shows the impact of the flood on John Schultz’s house. The entire building was swept to the end of Main Street from Union Street. Schultz and five other people were in the house and all survived.
‘Of the dead, nearly sixty have been identified, among whom were James Macmillan, superintendent of Cambarian Iron company’s store, wife and four children, and daughter-in-law; John P. Linton, leading lawyer, wife and five children; Mrs. Thomas Kerlen and two children; John Nolan and seven of the family; Dr. George Wagoner, wife and three children; Frank P. Bowman, wife and two children; Mrs. Richard Worthington and seven children; Person Fisher, wife and six children.’
Butte Semi-Weekly Miner, 10:40 p.m., June 1, 1889
