Rare Footage of Worcester Tornado (1953)

Very, VERY rare footage of the Worcester, Massachusetts tornado of June 9, 1953. This video is from the tornado video compilation "Eastern Fury: Tornadoes of The East Coast". I don't know if there's a copyright on it, but I am willing to take my chances. The film was taken during the last leg of the tornado's life.ENJOY!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Worcester
• tornado
• rare
• footage
• 1953

[AJTwister97]

@daylightdisk Sorry for the long hiatus, but I think it's rather funny that Grazulis didn't include video of the Candlestick Park F5.

[daylightdisk]

Incredible footage. This and the Warner-Robins film is the most insane footage ever caught. Very interesting seeing the buildings come apart. This is not actually the Worcester tornado, but the next member that hit Southborough. It's funny Grazulis didn't find this clip and the Hudsonville F5 films.

[AJTwister97]

@daylightdisk Oh, but wasn't Southborough an F4, too? And I agree with you about the fact that Grazulis didn't mention this video or any of the Hudsonville films. As for the Warner Robins event, it will never be matched in any way. The few seconds of film that showed roofs going airborne at 100 MPH under a second has never been or probably never will be matched. But one thing still tickles my mind: What ever happened to the filmer?

[Torn80cj]

I don't see how the camera person had the guts to keep filming as this was happening that close to him.

[AJTwister97]

@Torn80cj well some people are either really brave or just have a death wish. you've seen those videos of Tuscaloosa on April 27. They were right across the street from the tornado or even inside it while standing near a window or literally being outside

[daylightdisk]

@ricub1 And Grazulis supposedly read through all known newspapers to find tornado occurrences, so why didn't he read about this film? It was mentioned in the Southborough post. Did you ask for money to show it? I'm anxious to see the other film, could you somehow show us the stills? What's the story on the other film? Thanks for bringing this about and I believe you, it just brings more questions than it answers lol. PS: I was under the impression that the Southborough tornado was seperate ones.

[daylightdisk]

@ricub1 But how could he not think people was interested? It was mentioned in atleast one local newspaper, brought to a national tornado-convention in '54 where Davis lectured about it and the original sent to a boston newschannel. So it didn't exactly come to light in '03. I believe you about Grazulis, but it's weird that some would shrug it off without watching it first. I mean, film of a '53 tornado would not exactly be out of the ordinary, he knew of the WR film and an '51 OK one.

[ricub1]

I left a comment several days ago & its now disappeared! This is in fact the Worcester Tornado as it crossed Breakneck Hill Rd, Southboro MA about 542p; film by Ray Davis. Film sat in Ray's attic for 50 yrs & came to light in 2003 for the anniv (he didnt think anyone was interested!); Ray died about 5 years ago in his 90s. I told Grazulis I had a copy but he was incredulous! To best of my knowledge he's never seen it. Another film exists from which I have 2 stills, but I've yet 2 see the film.

[ricub3]

Ray Davis was a beekeeper; was w/his friends in the barn prob knocking back after a day 's work & happened 2 have his camera. The Worcester Tornado was still doing EF2-4 damage in Southboro - the Fayville post office (on Rte 9 in Southboro) would totally collapse in about 2-3 min from when this film was taken, killing 3. The tornado dissipated at 545p over Sudbury Reservoir just N of Fayville (Southboro-Framingham line). This last leg of storm tracked NE whereas the bulk of tornado moved ESE.

[ricub3]

Here's the story! This is in fact the Worcester Tornado when it passed over the Ray Davis farm on Breakneck Hill Rd in Southboro, time 542p. Ray died about 5 yrs ago in his 90s. Grazulis never knew about this film: I told him I owned a copy but he was incredulous! Last I knew several yrs ago Grazulis still hadnt seen it. Ray had this in his attic all these years and only in mid-2003 on the 50th anniv did the film come to light (he never thought it was important in those intervening years)..!

[daylightdisk]

@AJTwister97 I don't know the rating of Southborough, but it doesn't sound weak from the descriptions, and obviously this film. It was hailed on a 50's tornado convention so you'd think Grazulis knew about it. Great question regarding the WR photographer. I've heard on youtube his name is Rupert Vince. I know Grazulis investigated the rumor in the '90's to no avail. I'm not convinced he died cause it looks like the camera was turned off instead of being dropped on the floor like in Blair Witch.