1816day.year
HMS Whiting runs aground on the Doom Bar.
In 1816, the Royal Navy schooner HMS Whiting ran aground on Cornwall’s notorious Doom Bar, underscoring the treacherous nature of the coast.
The HMS Whiting, a Royal Navy schooner on routine patrol, encountered the dangerous Doom Bar sandbank off Cornwall. On September 15, 1816, poor visibility and strong currents caused the vessel to run aground. Crew efforts to refloat the ship proved futile as tides pushed the hull deeper into the soft sands. Local fishermen and naval rescue parties arrived, ultimately saving most of the crew without loss of life. The incident highlighted the perils faced by wooden sailing ships along the treacherous Cornish coast. It prompted calls for better navigational aids and charts to prevent similar groundings.
1816
HMS Whiting
Doom Bar
1830day.year
The Liverpool to Manchester railway line opens; British MP William Huskisson becomes the first widely reported railway passenger fatality when he is struck and killed by the locomotive Rocket.
When the Liverpool-Manchester Railway launched in 1830, MP William Huskisson became the first widely reported railway fatality, highlighting early rail dangers.
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world’s first inter-city passenger line powered by steam locomotives, opened on September 15, 1830. Hundreds of dignitaries gathered at Parkside to witness the inaugural journey. During the celebrations, British MP William Huskisson stepped onto the track to greet friends and was tragically struck by Stephenson’s Rocket. He became the first prominent railway passenger fatality, dying later that evening. The accident underscored the need for greater safety measures on the emerging rail network. Despite the tragedy, the line’s success ushered in a new era of rapid transportation and industrial growth. It laid the foundation for global railway expansion.
1830
Liverpool to Manchester railway line opens
British MP
William Huskisson
Rocket
1945day.year
A hurricane strikes southern Florida and the Bahamas, destroying 366 airplanes and 25 blimps at Naval Air Station Richmond.
A powerful hurricane struck southern Florida and the Bahamas in 1945, destroying hundreds of aircraft at NAS Richmond.
On September 15, 1945, a Category 2 hurricane made landfall in southern Florida before moving into the Bahamas.
At Naval Air Station Richmond, the storm destroyed 366 airplanes and 25 blimps, crippling U.S. naval aviation assets.
High winds and flooding damaged runways, hangars, and support facilities across the region.
Improved forecasting and evacuations minimized casualties, but the financial losses were substantial.
The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of military installations to severe tropical cyclones.
1945
hurricane
Florida
the Bahamas
Naval Air Station Richmond
1947day.year
Typhoon Kathleen hits the Kantō region, in Japan killing around 1,000-2,000 people.
Typhoon Kathleen devastated Japan’s Kantō region in 1947, causing widespread flooding and thousands of deaths.
On September 15, 1947, Typhoon Kathleen struck the Kantō region with torrential rains and 120 km/h winds.
Rivers overflowed, triggering catastrophic floods that inundated towns, farmland, and infrastructure.
Countless homes were swept away, and roads and bridges collapsed under the deluge.
Official reports estimate between 1,000 and 2,000 fatalities and thousands more injured or displaced.
The calamity prompted Japan to invest heavily in flood control, river management, and early warning systems.
1947
Typhoon Kathleen
Kantō region
1958day.year
A Central Railroad of New Jersey commuter train runs through an open drawbridge at the Newark Bay, killing 48.
A tragic commuter train accident on September 15, 1958, saw a Central Railroad of New Jersey train crash through an open drawbridge at Newark Bay, resulting in 48 deaths.
Commuter train No. 331 plunged into Newark Bay after the bridge unexpectedly opened.
The accident claimed 48 lives and injured dozens more during the evening rush hour.
Investigations pointed to signal failures and miscommunications.
The disaster prompted major safety overhauls in bridge signaling and railroad operations.
A memorial now marks the site, honoring those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
1958
Central Railroad of New Jersey
commuter train
runs through an open drawbridge
Newark Bay
1972day.year
A Scandinavian Airlines System domestic flight from Gothenburg to Stockholm is hijacked and flown to Malmö Bulltofta Airport.
A SAS domestic flight is hijacked and diverted to Malmö, Sweden.
On September 15, 1972, a SAS domestic flight from Gothenburg to Stockholm was hijacked and forced to land at Malmö Bulltofta Airport.
The hijacker took control of the aircraft shortly after departure, causing widespread alarm.
Authorities negotiated with the suspect to ensure passenger safety during the diversion.
No injuries were reported when the plane landed and the hijacker surrendered peacefully.
This incident underscored emerging concerns over aviation security during the early 1970s.
1972
Scandinavian Airlines System
domestic flight
Gothenburg
Stockholm
hijacked
Malmö Bulltofta Airport
1974day.year
Air Vietnam Flight 706 is hijacked, then crashes while attempting to land with 75 on board.
Air Vietnam Flight 706 is hijacked and crashes during a forced landing, killing all on board.
On September 15, 1974, Air Vietnam Flight 706 was hijacked shortly after takeoff, sending shockwaves through the aviation community.
The hijacker compelled the crew to attempt a forced landing, but the aircraft lost control during descent.
The ensuing crash claimed the lives of all 75 people on board.
Investigators concluded that the hijacking critically impaired the pilots' ability to manage the emergency.
This tragic event remains one of the deadliest hijackings in aviation history.
1974
Air Vietnam Flight 706 is hijacked
1995day.year
Malaysia Airlines Flight 2133 crashes at Tawau Airport in Malaysia, killing 34.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 2133 crashes at Tawau Airport, resulting in 34 fatalities.
On September 15, 1995, Malaysia Airlines Flight 2133 crashed while attempting to land at Tawau Airport in Malaysia.
The tragic accident resulted in the loss of 34 passengers and crew members.
It stands as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Malaysia's history.
Investigators examined flight procedures and airport approach protocols following the crash.
The incident prompted enhancements to landing safety standards and crew training in the region.
1995
Malaysia Airlines Flight 2133
Tawau Airport
Malaysia
2001day.year
During a CART race at the Lausitzring in Germany, former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi suffers a heavy accident resulting in him losing both his legs.
On September 15, 2001, Alex Zanardi lost both legs after a devastating crash during a CART race at Germany's Lausitzring.
On this day in 2001, former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi was involved in a horrific accident during a CART race at the Lausitzring in Germany. His car collided with another competitor's wheel, sending him airborne and causing catastrophic injuries that led to the amputation of both legs. The incident shocked the motorsport world, highlighting the dangers drivers face even with advanced safety measures. Zanardi's remarkable resilience and determination saw him return to competitive racing years later using specially designed prosthetics. His story remains an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
2001
CART
Lausitzring
Formula One
Alex Zanardi
2011day.year
Four miners are killed in the Gleision Colliery mining accident in the Swansea Valley, Wales, UK.
A roof collapse at the Gleision Colliery in Wales claims the lives of four miners.
On September 15, 2011, a tragic accident struck the Gleision Colliery in the Swansea Valley of Wales when a sudden roof collapse trapped coal miners underground. Despite rapid emergency efforts, four men lost their lives in the disaster. The incident prompted a thorough investigation into safety protocols and mine integrity across the UK. Families, colleagues, and local communities mourned the loss, leading to renewed calls for improved mining regulations and worker protections. The Gleision Colliery accident remains a somber reminder of the ongoing risks faced by those in the mining industry.
2011
Gleision Colliery mining accident