Aftermath of a deadly crane collapse and and landslide during construction on the BMT Fourth Avenue line in Bay Ridge, June 23, 1914. During a routine summer workday, the derrick supporting a crane suddenly gave way. The New York Times reported: “One man was killed and two others were injured, probably mortally, when a thirty ton crane broke through the soil of the subway cut,” adding “the sandy soil in this district had proved very treacherous, and it had been necessary, after the cut was opened, to strengthen the shoring on two different occasions.” The house partially visible at far right (with men on the porch) is No. 7604 Fourth Avenue. That house is still standing, but the two houses at center were demolished between 2007-2011.

Subway construction and operation is and has always been a complicated undertaking. Accidents happen, either through human error or mechanical failure. This collection looks at some of the transit system's early mishaps. 🚆💥