Term: Crib Disaster (Milwaukee)
Definition:
"On April 20, 1893, while the new intake tunnel for the water supply of Milwaukee was being constructed, 15 men lost their lives in the crib during a terrific northeast storm. The men had taken refuge in the air chamber leading to the tunnel, and the air becoming foul they attempted to reach the chamber above, and on opening the door, the high waves immediately filled the well, before they could reach the top. There were 16 men in the crib and only one escaped."
[Source: Wisconsin: comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form, ed. by Ex-Gov. Geo. W. Peck (Madison, Wis., Western Historical Association, 1906).
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