Iron & Blood: John Mason's Missing Toes
A Southwick man named John Mason found work far from home on one of Massachusetts' most ambitious engineering projects — the new Slade's Ferry Bridge, spanning the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset.
Construction of the bridge began in October 1874, financed largely by railroad interests. The design called for two levels: the upper deck to carry trains of the Providence, Warren, and Bristol Railroad (operated by the Old Colony Railroad), and the lower deck to serve wagons, pedestrians, and eventually automobile traffic. This dual-level innovation allowed the bridge to serve multiple transportation needs simultaneously, making it an engineering marvel for the era. The bridge would also feature a swing truss mechanism — a sophisticated design that could pivot open to allow river traffic to pass beneath — a capability that set it apart from simpler fixed structures of the time.
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| Slade's Ferry Bridge |
It was grueling, dangerous work. On September 15, 1875, Mason was badly injured when an iron flange weighing about 1,800 pounds slipped and fell roughly four feet, crushing his left foot and severing four of his toes. It was one of the many accidents that marked the construction of large steel structures in the 19th century — a time before safety equipment and strict labor protections were in place.
The dangers continued through the final weeks of construction. On December 4, barely two months after Mason's injury, an air chamber exploded during construction, killing five workers instantly. Their deaths, like Mason's injury, underscored the immense human cost behind such feats of industrial progress.
The Slade's Ferry Bridge was completed that December and stood as a symbol of technological achievement — a massive steel swing truss bridge that carried both rail and road travelers for nearly a century. After a ship strike in 1932, its swing section was replaced by a bascule (drawbridge) span. The structure remained in service until it was razed in 1970.
— A Southwick Time Machine Original from the Archives
