Results tagged “1911”

       

Just two days after diver Gene Ritter recovered it from the ocean floor, the Dreamland bell that sunk during the iron pier fire of 1911, was being rung again. Temporarily displayed at the Coney Island History Project, where it will remain through September 13th, you can pay $1 to give it a ring yourself—and it still sounds good after nearly a century underwater! They explain that "a hose system was set up to keep the bell constantly wet since it has been underwater for 98 years." Also on display are old images of the bell as well as other artifacts Ritter has recovered, including bottles, china and lamps. See more images here.

Back on May 27, 1911 Coney Island was doing worse off than it is today, with Dreamland Park in flames for a full 18 hours, burning to the ground and never again being rebuilt as it was. But a piece of the glory days was just found underwater; the NY Post reports that local divers are bringing up a piece of the past: a massive 500-lb bell that sunk to the ocean floor with the rest of the pier. Diver Gene Ritter told the paper, "I knew the bell existed, but I never dreamed I would find it. I thought it would be buried in mud. I was stunned, especially over the incredible shape the bell is in."