In 1895, the electric light plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania, had only just returned to service when disaster struck.
After three weeks of repairs, the plant resumed operations, only for a flywheel to burst the next morning.
John Bowman, the 27-year-old engineer on duty, was crushed to death in the explosion. Pieces of the shattered wheel were reportedly hurled three squares away.
With the plant badly damaged again, Homestead was expected to spend the next two weeks in darkness.
Killed By A Bursting Flywheel
HOMESTEAD, Pennsylvania. — By the bursting of a flywheel in the electric light plant this morning, the engineer, John Bowman, was crushed to death. Bowman was 27 years old and unmarried. He came from Altoona two weeks ago.
Pieces of the wheel were thrown three squares away. The electric plant resumed operations last night, after an idleness of three weeks on account of repairs.
It will require two weeks to repair the present damage, and for that time Homestead will be in darkness.
Source: New York Tribune. New York, N.Y. October 6, 1895.
