History's A Disaster podcast | Listen online for free

Available Episodes

5 of 37

The 1999 Bourbonnais Amtrak disaster
Send us a textA semi-truck ignores flashing warning lights. An Amtrak train barrels forward at 79 miles per hour. Eleven lives are lost in the devastating collision that follows. The 1999 Bourbonnais Amtrak disaster stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold when safety protocols fail.The catastrophe began with truck driver John Stokes, who after a long day hauling steel, approached a railroad crossing in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Despite active warning signals, he attempted to accelerate across the tracks rather than risk stopping. Meanwhile, Amtrak's City of New Orleans train #59 was approaching with 207 passengers and 21 crew members. The impact was devastating – destroying the semi-trailer, scattering a 37,000-pound load of steel rebar, and causing 11 of the train's 14 cars to derail.What unfolded next was both horrific and heroic. As flames engulfed parts of the wreckage on a frigid March night, emergency responders from multiple agencies converged on the scene. Perhaps most remarkably, 35 employees from the nearby Birmingham Steel plant rushed to help before firefighters fully deployed, cutting through fences and risking their lives to pull passengers from the wreckage. Their selfless actions alongside the coordinated emergency response undoubtedly saved many lives, though tragically, eleven passengers perished.The investigation revealed troubling factors that contributed to the disaster. Stokes had falsified his logbooks to conceal excessive driving hours and fatigue likely impaired his judgment. His employer, Melco Transfer, had previously been cited for safety violations. The disaster prompted changes – the dangerous crossing was permanently closed, and Stokes eventually served prison time for his violations.Listen to this gripping account of the Bourbonnais Amtrak crash to understand the cascade of decisions and circumstances that led to disaster, and the heroic efforts that prevented an even greater tragedy. Share this episode with others who appreciate stories of real-world events that combine human error, emergency response, and the lasting impact of split-second decisions.Facebook: historyisadisasterInstagram: historysadisasteremail: [email protected]
--------
22:27
--------
22:27
The London Beer Flood of 1814
Send us a textNobody expects to drown in beer. Yet on October 17, 1814, that's exactly what happened to eight Londoners when a massive vat at Horseshoe Brewery catastrophically failed, unleashing a 15-foot tsunami of porter beer through the impoverished streets of St Giles.The disaster began with something seemingly insignificant—a fallen iron hoop on a towering 22-foot wooden vat containing over 300,000 gallons of fermenting porter. Brewery clerk George Creek, with 17 years of experience, dismissed it as routine. An hour later, the weakened vat exploded with such force that it breached the brewery walls, sending bricks flying over nearby homes and unleashing a deadly wave of beer into the surrounding neighborhood.What makes this tragedy particularly heartbreaking is who paid the ultimate price. A 14-year-old barmaid crushed by collapsing walls. A four-year-old girl swept away during tea time. Five women, including a mother who had just lost her toddler the previous day, drowned while preparing for a wake. The flood demolished tenements, displaced families, and devastated a community already struggling with extreme poverty. Yet when investigators ruled the incident "an act of God," the brewery escaped all liability—recouping their losses through tax refunds while victims' families received nothing.The London Beer Flood represents more than just a bizarre historical footnote. It illuminates how industrial accidents disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, how corporate consequences rarely match the human cost, and how technological progress often follows in disaster's wake. The transition from dangerous wooden vats to modern stainless steel fermenters began here, written in beer and blood.Curious about other overlooked disasters that shaped our world? Subscribe to History's A Disaster for more stories that reveal how catastrophe and progress intertwine throughout human history. Share with friends who appreciate learning the surprising, tragic, and sometimes darkly ironic moments that changed everything.Facebook: historyisadisasterInstagram: historysadisasteremail: [email protected]
--------
14:21
--------
14:21
Genoa Bridge Collapse
Send us a textOn August 14th, 2018, the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy collapsed, resulting in the death of 43 people and causing significant destruction. Designed by Ricardo Morandi and opened in 1967, the bridge was a symbol of Italian engineering. However, on a rainy morning, pylon number nine disintegrated, and an 800-foot section of the bridge fell, crushing cars and buildings below. Rescue efforts began immediately, but many were already dead or seriously injured. Investigations into the collapse revealed that potential causes included corrosion of the steel cables due to high salinity levels and the bridge's aging infrastructure. The event raised major concerns about the safety of Italian infrastructure and led to criminal charges against 59 employees of the bridge's owner, including former CEO Giovanni Castelucci . Despite efforts for safety improvements, the disaster highlights the impact of negligence and cost-cutting measures in infrastructure maintenance.00:00 Introduction to the Genoa Bridge Collapse00:35 Design and Construction of the Morandi Bridge01:44 The Day of the Collapse03:42 Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts07:44 Investigation and Theories Behind the Collapse11:18 Legal Consequences and Ongoing Trials13:15 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFacebook: historyisadisasterInstagram: historysadisasteremail: [email protected]
--------
14:07
--------
14:07
Texas City Disaster
Send us a textOn April 16th, 1947, the SS Grandcamp, loaded with 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate, caught fire and exploded in Texas City, causing the deadliest industrial accident in US history and one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever. The explosion, fueled by ammonium nitrate and subsequent fires, destroyed much of Texas City's port, killing over 500 people and injuring thousands. The disaster led to significant changes in safety regulations for handling and transporting hazardous chemicals. This episode of "History's a Disaster" explores the events leading up to the explosion, the immediate devastation, and its long-term impacts on industry and disaster management.00:00 The Deadliest Industrial Accident in US History00:56 Texas City: A Petrochemical Hub01:59 The SS Grand Camp: A Ticking Time Bomb02:51 The Fire Begins06:56 The Explosion and Immediate Aftermath15:00 The High Flyer Disaster17:13 The Aftermath and Relief Efforts22:10 Legal Battles and Safety Reforms23:29 Conclusion and ReflectionsFacebook: historyisadisasterInstagram: historysadisasteremail: [email protected]
--------
24:10
--------
24:10
The Great Halifax Explosion
Send us a textOn the morning of December 6th, 1917, the SS Mont-Blanc, loaded with nearly 3000 metric tons of explosives destined for France, collided with the SS Imo in the Halifax Harbor narrows, resulting in one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history. This catastrophic event claimed nearly 2000 lives, injured 9000 others, and decimated a large section of Halifax. This episode of 'History's a Disaster,' hosted by Andrew, delves into the circumstances leading up to the explosion, the immediate chaotic aftermath, the city's reconstruction, and the unwavering support that poured in from surrounding areas and countries, highlighting the profound impact of this tragedy within the context of World War I.00:00 Introduction to the Great Halifax Explosion01:03 World War I Context and Halifax's Strategic Importance03:43 Harbor Safety and Regulatory Lapses06:39 The Captains and Their Ships11:02 The Collision and Immediate Aftermath22:16 The Catastrophic Explosion26:33 The Aftermath and Rescue Efforts31:30 International Aid and Rebuilding Halifax36:53 Conclusion and ReflectionsFacebook: historyisadisasterInstagram: historysadisasteremail: [email protected]
--------
37:37
--------
37:37