Massachusetts Disasters

Facing Unimaginable Events With Courage

It's only human to be fascinated by disasters--and uplifted by reports of survival in the face of overwhelming circumstances. This book takes you back to Massachusetts' most catastrophic events, vividly re-creating the moments that changed the state forever. The twenty-five true stories presented here are a chilling reminder to expect the unexpected.

From the 1874 Mill River flood and wreck of the City of Columbus, in 1884, to the Cocoanut Grove fire, in 1942, and the Amtrak derailment of 1990, Massachusetts has been the site of some of the nation's most dramatic moments. Each account in this book reveals not only the circumstances surrounding the disaster and the magnitude of the devastation, but also the courage and ingenuity displayed by those who survived and the heroism of those who helped others, often risking their own lives in rescue efforts.