The Great Northern Railroad Avalanche | A Roaring Cascade | 3
Summary
This episode recounts the 1910 Wellington avalanche, the deadliest in American history, which killed 96 people after a massive snow slide destroyed a train and town in Washington State. It follows the harrowing survival stories of passengers and railroad workers, including widow Ida Starrett and telegraph operator Basil Sherlock, who navigated the immediate aftermath and rescue efforts. The narrative also examines the Great Northern Railway's negligence and the subsequent public outcry that led to significant safety improvements in the Cascade Range.
Topics discussed
Introduction and content warnings
Stranded passengers and the decision to evacuate
Sponsor segments for YouTube and Capital One
Railroad crews struggle against the blizzard
Sherlock assesses the avalanche risk at home
Sherlock and Alethea plan their safety strategy
Purcell and Clary play cards and sleep in the mail car
Pettit prepares for evacuation and confronts White
The avalanche strikes and the train derails
Sponsor segment for The Spy Who podcast
Purcell survives the fall and rescues colleagues
Sherlock organizes rescue efforts in the town
Sherlock confronts hotel owner over medical supplies
Starrett trapped under a tree with her child
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O'Neill receives news of the disaster
Rescue efforts reveal the scale of the tragedy
Sherlock performs emergency surgery on Raymond
Starrett is rescued and learns of Francis's death
Starrett reunites with her surviving son Raymond
Aftermath, legal inquest, and railroad changes
Series conclusion and production credits
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