Anyway, among the photos were these 7 pictures. I can not identify anyone in them or where exactly it was photographed or by whom BUT, there is a date written on the back; "Feb. 1950."
So I googled "Long Island train derailment February 1950" and found this entry in wikipedia
February 17, 1950 – Rockville Centre, New York, United States: Two passenger trains collide head-on at Rockville Centre train station. The engineer of train number 192 ignored an Approach and the following Stop signals and collided with train number 175 on temporary gantleted (overlapping) track which had been installed to facilitate a grade separation project. Both engineers survived but 31 people were killed, and more than 100 people injured.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rail_accidents_%281950%E2%80%931959%29
My father would have only been 2 1/2 months old at the time of this accident. My grandfather was a machine operator. I suspect he may have been the one to take these pictures and perhaps he worked on the crash site. I don't know for sure but I am now on the hunt to understand how we came to hold on to these pictures for so long.
I believe that the first is that of my Father William E. Van Deusen, who worked for the RVC Power Plant and was a fireman. He spent the night cutting victims out of the train.. He is the one with the cigarette and plaid shirt. I have an idea of who is standing next to him.
ReplyDeleteLinda, My sister has an old home (1878) on Long Island and she had the front stairs replaced. One of the kickboards was signed on the back CC Van Deusen Painter RV Centre 1891. I did a google search for his name and came across this blog.
DeleteHi,unknown, I hope Linda sees this comment. If you or your sister would like me to I can help find out some info on the Van Deusens for you. let me know
DeleteHi April, I thought Linda might get a kick out of seeing it. I have a picture of the signed riser (my bad not a kickboard). My sister decided to leave it intact in the repaired staircase since that is where she feels it belongs. Hopefully it will last another 126 years. If Linda wants I'll forward the pictures. Thanks.. Tony
DeleteCC Van Deusen, was born in Hudson, NY area circa 1838. He and most of his family left that area about 1860 to NYC and LI.. Marrying Emma Watts (dau. of Capt. Samuel and Catherine Abrams Watts. CC died at the age of 98. His obituary's are remarkable. A photo of his handiwork, would be great.. As I said way back when, no one knew of the photo of my Dad over looking the wreck. He worked at the power plant, one of his talents was welding and I understand he and others helped cut the injured out.. Thanks all
DeleteWow, Linda. I am so glad you commented on this post. Was your father a member of the RVC fire department? I have a follow up post about this accident that lists all the victims.
ReplyDeleteHi, He (William E. Van Deusen) was a member of one or two fire companies over the years. Actually so was his Grandfather CC Van Deusen and his father William E.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteJust looking at saved pages and it appears I didn't answer you. He was a member of the RVC fire department. If you would like I can find which one.. Sorry for an over a year delay..
Hello Unknown (Linda?)
ReplyDeleteDuring the 70's to 90's, I was good friends with your brother(?) Bill Van Deusen. He would talk about his Father from time to time and mentioned that he assisted in that train crash in 1950. I lost touch with him when he moved off the Island. He lived in upstate NY for a while and then moved to North Carolina (I think).
Maybe you can shed some info on where he is nowadays?
Regards...
Jim Koehler
Freeport, NY
I wish I had Unknown's (possibly Linda) email address for you, Jim. I hope she returns to this post.
DeleteHello April.....
DeleteBill Van Deusen would be in his early to mid eighties. I'm 70 and he was, maybe, 12 years older than me. I first met him when he lived in Baldwin Harbor and was married to Mary. The had one child.
I believe my grandfather appears in the 3rd photo in a plaid shirt. He was a strong man physically and emotionally and it is said that he got sick to his stomach when he saw this crash. He worked for the LIRR and helped clean up the crash. I believe he was worked in maintenace of the yards/stations.
ReplyDeleteIt was a horrendous accident. What was your grandfather's name? Thanks for reaching out.
DeleteMy grandfather was Bernardo (Benny) Boccia. He was born in 1904. So, he would have been 46 at the time of the accident.
ReplyDelete