TRAGEDY AT NEW YORK CITY'S TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY
New York City (JFK+50) On March 25, 1911, a tragedy of epic proportions struck Manhattan's Greenwich Village when a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
The factory, located on the top three floors of the ten story Asch Building, was crammed with workers who were trapped by the fire. The death toll included 123 women and 23 men. Many were young Jewish and Italian female immigrants ranging in ages from 16 to 23. 71 workers survived but with injuries.
The fire, which began in a loft area, spread quickly and gave workers limited time to escape. Only one of four elevators in the building were functional and the one made only a single trip down.
Owners had locked the doors and exits to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and to discourage theft. This was a common practice in such factories. The building's flimsy fire escape collapsed and some of the workers panicked jumping or falling out of windows.
The History You-Tube video below describes the scene...
"I learned a new sound. A more horrible sound than description can picture. It was the thud of speeding, living bodies on a stone sidewalk."
The tragedy led to passage of laws and regulations for workers' safety in the city and state within three years. The building itself not only survived, it is today known as the Brown Building* and is owned by New York University.
*The Brown Building is a 10 story structure located at 23-29 Washington Place between Greene Street & Washington Square East in Manhattan. It was built in 1900 & designed by John Woolley. The BB was originally named after its' owner, Joseph J. Asch.
New York University used the 8th floor for a library & classrooms beginning in 1916 & took custody of the entire building thanks to a donation by Frederick Brown in 1929.
SOURCES
"The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire," History, www.youtube.com/
"Labor Leaders, Students Mark Anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Fire," CBS NEW YORK, www.newyork.cbslocal.com/
"WCBS Radio Report," by Alex Silverman
New York City (JFK+50) On March 25, 1911, a tragedy of epic proportions struck Manhattan's Greenwich Village when a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
The factory, located on the top three floors of the ten story Asch Building, was crammed with workers who were trapped by the fire. The death toll included 123 women and 23 men. Many were young Jewish and Italian female immigrants ranging in ages from 16 to 23. 71 workers survived but with injuries.
The fire, which began in a loft area, spread quickly and gave workers limited time to escape. Only one of four elevators in the building were functional and the one made only a single trip down.
Owners had locked the doors and exits to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and to discourage theft. This was a common practice in such factories. The building's flimsy fire escape collapsed and some of the workers panicked jumping or falling out of windows.
The History You-Tube video below describes the scene...
"I learned a new sound. A more horrible sound than description can picture. It was the thud of speeding, living bodies on a stone sidewalk."
The tragedy led to passage of laws and regulations for workers' safety in the city and state within three years. The building itself not only survived, it is today known as the Brown Building* and is owned by New York University.
*The Brown Building is a 10 story structure located at 23-29 Washington Place between Greene Street & Washington Square East in Manhattan. It was built in 1900 & designed by John Woolley. The BB was originally named after its' owner, Joseph J. Asch.
New York University used the 8th floor for a library & classrooms beginning in 1916 & took custody of the entire building thanks to a donation by Frederick Brown in 1929.
SOURCES
"The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire," History, www.youtube.com/
"Labor Leaders, Students Mark Anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Fire," CBS NEW YORK, www.newyork.cbslocal.com/
"WCBS Radio Report," by Alex Silverman
The Brown Building
New York City
Photo by Beyond My Ken (2011)
Firefighters work the Triangle Fire
The New York World
March 26, 1911
