Seawanhaka disaster

History
NameSeawanhaka
Port of registryUnited States
BuilderTerry
Laid down1866
FateExploded and sunk June 28, 1880
Notes[1]
General characteristics
Class and typePaddle steamer
Tonnage611.74 grt
Length225 ft (69 m)
Beam40 ft (12 m)
Draft6 ft (1.8 m)
Decks2

On June 28, 1880, a boiler aboard the steamboat Seawanhaka exploded while the boat was in the East River near Wards Island, New York City, setting the boat on fire and resulting in the deaths of 24 to 35 people.[2][3] A coroner's jury found that although the boiler had passed inspection the prior March and should have been in good working condition, the loss of life was exacerbated by the poor discipline of the boat crew following the explosion.[3]

References

  1. ^ "THE BURNED STEAM-BOAT". The New York Times. June 29, 1880. p. 2.
  2. ^ United States Congress. Joint Committee to Investigate Dirigible Disasters (1933). Investigation of Dirigible Disasters. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 732.
  3. ^ a b "HOW THE FIRE OCCURRED: A BURSTED TUBE IN THE SEA WANHAKA'S BOILER". The New York Times. July 31, 1880. p. 8.

40°47′10″N 73°56′17″W / 40.786°N 73.938°W / 40.786; -73.938