Dam, 1874

Williamsburg, Massachusetts. "On May 16, 1874, the cheap and shoddy Mill River dam collapsed, killing 139 people and wiping out four towns in western Massachusetts within one hour. It was the first man-made dam disaster and one of the worst of the 19th century. Though mill owners and engineers were clearly responsible for the disaster, no one was held to account for it. But at least the flood did lead to dam safety laws." --New England Historical Society