The Immigrant Special, June 29, 1864

Type of resource
Author/collaborator
Title
The Immigrant Special, June 29, 1864
Abstract
The worst train wreck in Canadian history took place in the early hours of June 29, 1864, when ninety-nine people, chiefly German immigrants, died in what is known as the Beloeil Bridge Disaster. The Grand Trunk train was travelling from Quebec City to Montreal and approached the swing bridge across the Richelieu River at Beloeil, south of Montreal, at around 1:20 a.m. The swing bridge had been opened earlier to allow the passage of five barges and a steamship, but neither the train conductor, Thomas Finn, nor the engineer, William Burnie, acknowledged a red light a mile ahead of the bridge indicating that the crossing was open. The engine and eleven coaches fell through the gap.
Publication
Canadian Rail
Volume
No. 471
Pages
91-110
Date
July-August 1999
Language
en
Citation
Thompson, John. “The Immigrant Special, June 29, 1864.” Canadian Rail No. 471 (August 1999): 91–110.
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