The Black Rock
When the bridge was being built, workmen discovered the human remains of Irish immigrants to Canada, who had fled the famine in Ireland, only to die during the typhus epidemic of 1847 in fever sheds at nearby Windmill Point. At the bridge approach, a large rock was erected, officially called the Irish Commemorative Stone but locally known as The Black Rock.
Its inscription reads:
“ | To preserve from desecration the remains of 6000 immigrants who died of ship fever A.D.1847-8 this stone is erected by the workmen of Messrs. Peto, Brassey and Betts employed in the construction of the Victoria Bridge A.D.1859. | ” |
Read more about this topic: Victoria Bridge (Montreal)
Famous quotes containing the words black and/or rock:
“Its not like I was out there running and not knowing whats going on in the country. I knew what was going on, but I felt this is not something that is going to bog me down and not let me participate. The only way I was going to make a difference for myself or any other black person is to say the hurdles were there and do what I had to do.”
—Wyomia Tyus (b. 1945)
“Margaret: Some people have life made for them.
Frank: Thats right, Mrs. Hammond, and some people make it for themselves. Its about time you took that ton of rock off your shoulders.”
—David Storey (b. 1933)