15 January 2024

15 January

1868 – Tasmania: The first sod was turned for construction of the Launceston and Western Railway, the first steam railway in the State, which ran between Launceston and Deloraine.

1919 – Massachusetts, U.S.A.: A large tank of molasses burst, sending a wave of molasses through Boston streets, causing the loss of 21 lives and injuring 150 others.

1939 – Eastern Victoria: Over 40 perished in the State’s worst bushfires to that date.

1955 – England: Blizzard conditions wrought havoc to transport throughout the country.

1957 – Tasmania: Bushfires, fanned by gale force winds threatened homes in Eaglehawk Neck, St Helens and St Marys and cut telephone communications with Hobart.

1990 – Port Campbell, Victoria: Portion of an arched rock formation on the coast, known as London Bridge, collapsed into the sea and marooned two tourists who were at the seaward end.  They were subsequently rescued by helicopter.

1997 – Glenorchy, Tasmania: The Derwent Park railway station (see photo) was destroyed overnight by fire.

2004 – Adelaide, South Australia: The first through goods train to Darwin, departed.

2009 – New York, U.S.A.: U.S. Airways flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport.  All passengers and crew members survived.