Page 7 - Sandy Ground News Today

'Black Saturday' remains a potent memory sixty years after trio of blazes leveled 100 homes and left 500 people homeless.

Today this historic community – that has existed for nearly two centuries on Staten Island’s South Shore – faces great challenges. .

The Sandy Ground Historical Society is currently revitalizing its board, museum and reach to the community at large.

The vessel, carrying hundreds of passengers, caught fire during the evening commute on Dec. 22.

Lucille Herring, granddaughter of William ‘Pop’ Pedro, moved to the area in 1956 and was a resident of the community for close to two decades.

'What you see there in Sandy Ground today is nothing like it was back in the 1950s.'

Gothamist is a non-profit local newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Staten Island Ferry workers were never trained on the unique fuel system on the city's new $300 million Ollis-class fleet before a fire broke out in the Sandy Ground's engine room, the union that operates the boat claims.

The Mariners Engineers’ Beneficial Association previously called for the immediate docking of all three Ollis class ferries following the Dec. 22 fire. Those ferries are still currently running.

“I felt the audience was engaged with our stories. They connected to the history. They connected to it, like it was their own.”