The Ashtabula Disaster (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Stephen Denison Peet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1528060296 ISBN 13: 9781528060295

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Tragedy on the rails of 1876 comes to life through vivid scenes, personal stories, and hard lessons.

This nonfiction account examines the Ashtabula disaster, detailing the crash, the intense search for survivors, and the wide ripple effect across towns and families. It also offers a thoughtful look at how engineers, builders, and communities responded in the aftermath, with a focus on responsibility and reform.

This edition presents the human side of a historic failure, weaving together eyewitness descriptions, relic-seeking efforts, and reflections on the lessons learned. You’ll follow the race to recover remains, identify victims, and understand how a single destructive event reshaped ideas about safety, industry, and accountability.

• Firsthand descriptions of the accident, rescue attempts, and the immediate aftermath.
• The careful search for relics and the personal stories attached to them.
• Analysis of the bridge’s design, construction choices, and expert testimony.
• Reflections on how such tragedies shape safety practices and public policy.

Ideal for readers of American history, transportation disasters, and engineering history who want a grounded, empathetic account of a defining crisis and its long shadow.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1528060296
• ISBN 13: 9781528060295
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 225