Weatherman2020
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- Mar 3, 2013
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During most of the 19th century the lives of black slaves were more important than Irish lives. For example, in the construction of the Crozet tunnel thru the Blue Ridge mountains in the 1850’s black slaves were borrowed to work with Irish immigrants in the dangerous construction.
Because it was dangerous the Irish got the most dangerous jobs. Why? Two black slaves were killed in a railroad accident during construction and the owners were compensated $1,200 each. In 1850 dollars.
All slaves were then removed from the project leaving it all to the Irish. They’re lives were expendable as Irish were pouring into America fleeing starvation in Ireland.
Because it was dangerous the Irish got the most dangerous jobs. Why? Two black slaves were killed in a railroad accident during construction and the owners were compensated $1,200 each. In 1850 dollars.
All slaves were then removed from the project leaving it all to the Irish. They’re lives were expendable as Irish were pouring into America fleeing starvation in Ireland.
New Documentary Film on the Blue Ridge Railroad Tunnel - Virginia Humanities
Update 3/17/2021: Watch the documentary on YouTube. The Tunnel, a 35-minute documentary film about the creation and the re-creation of the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Railroad Tunnel, will be available March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, for free streaming on YouTube. The broadcast version of The Tunn
virginiahumanities.org