As noted elsewhere in news media, the city of Jersey City, New Jersey, recently commemorated the 1916 attack by saboteurs on Black Tom Island, which was, at the time, the largest ammunition depot in America.
Associate Editor Rob Maloney combed the magazine archives for information on the incident, and found material from both Fire and Water Engineering and the Fireman’s Herald.
From the Fire and Water Engineering account:
“Early Sunday morning damage roughly estimated at over $10,000,000 was done by explosions and fire at Black Tom wharf, Jersey City, N. J. Warehouses, cars and barges containing ammunition and oil tank boats for the Entente Allies were destroyed. The force of the explosions was such that they were felt in New Jersey, New York City and Long Island. Many windows were shattered on the lower part of Manhattan Island. At 12 :45 o’clock in the morning an alarm reached Fire Headquarters in Jersey City by way of the American District Telegraph Company. The report said ‘some rubbish burning,’ but as the rubbish was said to be on Black Tom pier, which juts into New York harbor south of Communipaw and for more than a year has been a principal shipping centre for war munitions going to the Entente Allies, Fire Chief Boyle went with five companies.”
Download this as a PDF HERE (5.5 MB) and the report from the Herald HERE (3.9 MB).
