C&O Canal Outtake

C&O Canal Outtake

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Georgetown was once an industrial area. The building across the canal is the former Capital Traction Powerhouse, which provided power for the streetcars in Georgetown. There were outtake pipes that were used to blow off steam from the boilers. Early on the morning of September 11, 2016, the Spong family was moored to the concrete wall theat ran beneath the powerhouse, right at a steam pipe. At usual time, 6 am, the powerhouse blew out the boilers and the steam burst and forced super hot steam into the cabin of the boat where the children were sleeping. Mrs. Spong tried to save them and was severely scalded. Mr. Spong also rushed to save his children. Tragically, all three children, John (age 13,) Samuel (age 11,) and Sarah (age 6) were fatally injured.