Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford The Bowery Boys and the Black Tom Explosion
Aug 5, 2022
Join Greg Young and Tom Myers, co-hosts of the Bowery Boys podcast, as they dive into the explosive history of the Black Tom Explosion of 1916. They reveal the chaos that ensued from this mysterious event that shattered windows and raised alarms across New York City. Discover how Black Tom Island transformed from a peaceful fishing spot to an industrial hub and the espionage tactics of German agents lurking in New York Harbor. With tales of sabotage and the long-term impacts on iconic landmarks, this is a riveting piece of forgotten American history.
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The Black Tom Explosion
- In 1916, New York City experienced one of the largest explosions in history.
- This explosion damaged the Statue of Liberty and shattered windows across Manhattan.
Black Tom Island's History
- Black Tom Island, located near Liberty and Ellis Islands, was named after a fisherman.
- It was developed into a railroad depot and later became a key munitions depot during WWI.
German Espionage
- Despite being neutral in WWI, the U.S. traded arms solely with the Allied forces.
- German spies were active in New York City, targeting pro-Allied activities.
