Description

Description: These three original boudoir cabinet photographs depict the jarring aftermath of the Deerfield railroad accident which occurred on April 7,1886. Two off the photos show the wreckage from the same side of the river as the accident, the other was taken from the opposite side. All three depict groups of men standing amongst the destroyed train cars that are lying near the bottom of a steep embankment. 

Passenger Train No. 35 departed North Adams for Boston traveling on the Hoosac Tunnel line, which was owned and maintained by the State and operated by the Fitchburg Railroad. The outer rail and a portion of the track near  West Deerfield gave way due to a washout. The locomotive was wrecked and the cars were thrown 100 feet down to the river. Three of the cars caught fire almost immediately and all of the cars but one were destroyed. 47 of the 48 passengers were injured and 11 were killed instantly or died from their injuries.

The versos of each image have a backmark that reads: “Wreck of Train No. 35, Near West Deerfield, ‘Hoosac Tunnel Line,’ April 7. 1886. By which 11 Lives were lost and many injured. Distance of track from the River 186 feet. J. K. Patch. Portrait and Landscape Photographer, Shelburne Falls, Mass.” Two of the backmarks have “11 Lives” changed to “10” with pencil, the other has “10 Lives” printed. 

Each photo measures 5 ½” x 8 ¼” overall. Item #P00260

Condition: Light overall soil, generally good condition.