1937 — Aug 11, Heavy Rain, 3 Tenement Bldgs. Collapse, New Brighton, Staten Isl., NY–19
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 11-15-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–19-23 Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. “Storms Bring Disaster and Death,” 12 Aug 1937, 1.
Tenements[1]:
–19 Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Five Groups Investigate…Tenement Collapse,” 8-13-‘37
–19 Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. “Storms Bring Disaster and Death,” 12 Aug 1937, 1.
–19 Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Find No More Bodies In Tenement Wreck,” 8-14-1937, p. 1.
Drowning:
— 2 Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. “Storms Bring Disaster and Death,” 12 Aug 1937, 1.
Lightning:
— 2 Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. “Storms Bring Disaster and Death,” 12 Aug 1937, 1.
Narrative Information
Aug 12: “Rains Blamed for 23 Fatalities in New York City – Three Tenements Collapse…
“By The Associated Press. Violent rain and electrical storms chiefly in the east and section of the middle west brought relief today from the discomforting heat of the past week, but brought also death and considerable property loss.
“Lightning and rain were blamed for 23 deaths in New York’s metropolitan area. Nineteen of the victims died in the collapse of three Staten Island tenements, weakened by a torrent of rain water that dashed down a hill, undermining the old structures.[2] Two persons were killed by lightning and two were drowned….
“New York, Aug 12 (AP)—At least 19 persons were crushed to death in their sleep early today amid a smothering avalanche of bricks and debris, when three Staten Island tenement buildings collapsed during a violent rainstorm. Tons of water, roaring down from an overflowing storm sewer about midnight, struck the ancient brick dwellings and ripped them asunder. Rescue squads of police and firemen pulled at the tangled wreckage for additional victims. Three persons were still missing. Four others who escaped from the shattered structures were taken to the Staten Island hospital with serious injuries.
“Patrolman Joseph McBreen of Emergency Squad Number 10, the first rescuer on the scene, died a hero. He plunged into one of the buildings after the first structure collapsed. Searching squads found him later, buried in the wreckage. In his arms, with her arms curled tightly around his neck, was the body of four-year-old Virginia Budnick.[3] Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine directing the rescuers, called the tragedy ‘the worst of its kind in years’.” (Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. “Storms Bring Disaster and Death,” 12 Aug 1937, 1.)
Aug 13: “New York—Police and firemen dug deeper today into the muddy ruins of a tenement house in New Brighton, Staten Island, searching for the bodies of three persons believed still buried. While they worked, five separate groups prepared to investigate. Nineteen bodies had been taken from the slimy mass of plaster and splintered boards when new rains last night again flooded the deep cellar into which the two-story frame building collapsed Wednesday night….
“Five investigations were planned to determine whether the disaster was the result of negligence. Borough President Joseph A. Palma appealed for funds to aid the families of victims. He said the money was needed for the expenses of burial and to provide food and shelter for the four survivors—three of whom are in Staten Island hospital. He ordered flags on all public buildings in Staten Island at half-staff until after the funerals.
“Investigations were started by the Police Department, Fire Department, the District Attorney and Bureau of Buildings of the Borough of Richmond, and by Mayor F. H. La Guardia. District Attorney Frank H Finnes announced a grand jury investigation would begin Monday. It would investigate the possibility of criminal negligence. Palma said he thought the tragedy was an act of providence. Fred Simpson, a building inspector, had made a routine examination of the structure two days before the disaster. John Irving, owner of the house, said: ‘I have never received a complaint for any violation on these buildings (He referred to this one and several others in the vicinity). I’ve been in the building many times and no one has ever complained to me. The people have not been paying me rent but I never got a dispossess notice for any of them. The buildings never were condemned’.” (Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Five Groups Investigate Fatal Tenement Collapse,” Aug 13, 1937, p. 9.)
Aug 14: “New York (UPI)– Removal of the debris of the tenement building which collapsed Wednesday night at Port Richmond, Staten Island, killing 19 persons, was completed today. No additional bodies were found. City officials continued their inquiries into the cause of the disaster which occurred when water flooded the cellar, undermining the foundations, during a heavy rainstorm.” (Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Find No More Bodies In Tenement Wreck,” Aug 14, 1937, 1.)
Sources
Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Five Groups Investigate Fatal Tenement Collapse,” Aug 13, 1937, p. 9. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com
Panama City News-Herald, FL. “Tenement Collapse Kills 19,” 8-18-1937, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=162467924
Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. “Storms Bring Disaster and Death in East,” 8-12-1937, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=36035015
Star Journal, Sandusky, OH. “Find No More Bodies In Tenement Wreck,” 8-14-1937, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=165050044
[1] “…an old factory building converted into a tenement…” (Panama City News-Herald, FL. “Tenement Collapse Kills 19,” Aug 18, 1937, p. 5.)
[2] “Ten of them were women and children and one a policeman…” (Panama City News-Herald, FL. “Tenement Collapse Kills 19,” Aug 18, 1937, p. 5.)
[3] Patrolman McBreen was the father of two children. (Hammond Times, IN. “Police Hero Who Died in Fatal Tenement Crash,” Aug 16, 1937, p. 12.)