Handrahan's Cutting
Handrahan's Cutting, Tignish, Prince Edward Island, C0B, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2001/08/03
Other Name(s)
n/a
Links and documents
Construction Date(s)
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2004/11/10
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Handrahan's Cutting is located on the Confederation Trail (formerly the PEI Railway) in western PEI at Harper, near Tignish. A wooden cross and commemorative plaque mark the site of PEI's worst ever rail accident. The registration includes the area around which the wreck is believed to have occurred.
Heritage Value
The area of Handrahan's Cutting is significant as the site of PEI's worst ever rail accident which occurred in the early morning hours of February 21, 1932. A savage snow storm had been raging for days. A train became stuck in the high drifts and despite the work of two dozen shovellers, it would not budge. Other trains had been warned of the situation, however, another train came bounding down the tracks and directly struck the stuck train. Four people were killed and eleven were injured. Since then, the event has inspired a ballad and a painting and remains a dark episode in the history of the railway in PEI.
Source: PEI Heritage Advisory Committee Files
Character-Defining Elements
The following elements are reminders of the rail tragedy:
- the wooden cross
- the commemorative plaque describing the tragedy
- the remaining railway bed (now the Confederation Trail) and surrounding view
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Prince Edward Island
Recognition Authority
Province of Prince Edward Island
Recognition Statute
Heritage Places Protection Act
Recognition Type
Registered Historic Place
Recognition Date
2001/08/03
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
1932/02/21 to 1932/02/21
Theme - Category and Type
- Developing Economies
- Technology and Engineering
Function - Category and Type
Current
Historic
- Community
- Commemorative Monument
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Located in the Culture and Heritage Division, PEI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
File #: 4310-20/H2
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
4310-20/H2
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a