| The Tragedy of the Royal Tar: The 1836 Circus Steamship Fire Contributor(s): Warner, Mark (Author) |
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ISBN: 1608933571 ISBN-13: 9781608933570 Publisher: Down East Books OUR PRICE: $12.30 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: February 2015 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | United States - State & Local - New England (ct, Ma, Me, Nh, Ri, Vt) - History | Modern - 19th Century - Transportation | Ships & Shipbuilding - History |
| Dewey: 974.13 |
| Physical Information: 0.3" H x 5.7" W x 9.1" (0.40 lbs) 120 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 19th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: On October 25, 1836, the sidewheel steamer Royal Tar caught fire in Maine's Penobscot Bay. On board was a small circus menagerie returning to Boston from a summer-long tour of the Canadian Maritimes. Plagued by gale-force winds and rough seas, the usual overnight trip from Saint John, New Brunswick, stretched out to four days and, on the fourth day, disaster struck off the island of Vinalhaven. Thirty-two people and all of the circus animals perished in the tragedy. Mark Warner explores the events leading up to that fateful day. Beginning with the construction of the Royal Tar, he traces the vessel's service history, the menagerie's tour of the Maritimes, the cause of the fire, and details of the rescue operation. |