Trial by Fire - New Bedford, MA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 41° 38.078 W 070° 55.402
19T E 339799 N 4610998
A small plaza park at the base of Johnny Cake Hill was the site of a fire that claimed buildings located at the plaza.
Waymark Code: WMEYN8
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 07/23/2012
Views: 4
In New Bedford, at the intersection of Johnny Cake Hill and Union Street, is a plaza where there is a historical sign put up by the U.S. National Park Service. The text on this sign is the following:
"Trial by Fire
During the early hours of January 18, 1977, gas leaked from a cracked main into the cellar of O'Malley's Tavern, located near where you are now standing. New Bedford had suffered two straight days of record setting cold to an overall frigid winter. When thermostats clicked on that morning the gas exploded, leveling four buildings and shooting flames and debris throughout the area.
Lost were the three-story tavern, built about 1820, and the Macomber-Sylvia building next to it, which had just been restored and was to be sold that day. The explosion also blew up a building across Johnny Cake Hill and one on William Street, north of the whaling museum, and rocketed a four-ton I-beam and for firefighters across Union Street. Firefighters and gas company crews battled to contain the blaze for more than 12 hours, finally controlling the fire by dusk.
[Captions next to pictures:]
According to Peggy Medeiros, Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) Director of Education and Preservation Services, "At 6:45 the roof of the Sundial Building [to your right on the corner] caught fire. When the fire was finally out, most of the roof was gone and one wall was bowing out over North Water Street."
WHALE, having spent $41,000 to restore the now-lost Macomber-Sylvia building, convinced the city to rebuild the Sundial Building. WHALE raised funds to restore it and then donated the building to New Bedford Whaling Museum. Photos Courtesy WHALE
[Quote:]
You could feel the blast. The building was there, and then, the building wasn't. John Correla [ ? ], New Bedford firefighter January 18, 1977"
There is also a bird's eye view photo with labels to identify important landmarks.
I'm not sure when this went up.
The Plaza is known as Captain Paul Cuffe Park and is part of the NewBedford Whaling Museum, the building of which is uphill. There is a mariner compass etched in granite, and cobblestone and brick have laid around it. The historical sign is right at the corner.
Agency Responsible for Placement: National Park Service
County: Bristol
City/Town Name: New Bedford
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
Agency Responsible for Placement (if not in list above): Not listed
Year Placed: Not listed
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