Death by Fire and Ice: The Steamboat "Lexington" Calamity

The book "Death by Fire and Ice" explores the sinking of the steamboat Lexington in 1840, which remains the worst maritime disaster in Long Island Sound's history. The ship caught fire off Eaton's Neck on Long Island's north shore, and the crew was unable to extinguish the fire. With no hope of rescue, the passengers and crew faced a dreadful decision, and only one passenger and three members of the crew survived. The New York City Coroner's inquest concluded that the Lexington had been operated at imminent risk to its passengers, and calls for Congress to enact legislation to improve passenger safety on steamboats were made.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Naval Institute Press

The sinking of the steamboat Lexington on Long Island Sound in January 1840 is the subject of Death by Fire and Ice, a little-known tale. The Lexington, constructed in 1835 by Cornelius Vanderbilt, was carrying 147 passengers and crew and a cargo of cotton when it caught fire off Eaton's Neck on Long Island's north shore at around seven o'clock. The fire quickly spread to the cotton stowed on board, rendering the ship uncontrollable. The engine died, and the blazing ship drifted aimlessly in the Sound with the prevailing wind and current. As the night wore on, the temperature plummeted to nineteen degrees below zero, leaving the passengers and crew with no hope of rescue. They faced a dreadful decision: remain on board and perish in the searing flames or jump overboard and succumb within minutes to the Sound's icy waters. By three o'clock in the morning, the grisly ordeal was over for all but one passenger and three members of the crew, the only ones who survived. The tragedy remains the worst maritime disaster in the history of Long Island Sound.

The New York City Coroner convened an inquest to determine the cause of the disaster. After two weeks of testimony, reported daily in the New York City press, the inquest jury concluded that the Lexington had been permitted to operate on the Sound at the imminent risk of the lives and property of its passengers, and that, had the captain exercised due care, the disaster could have been avoided. The jury also criticized the lack of fire protection equipment on board the ship, including a lack of fire hoses and buckets.

The sinking of the Lexington was a significant event in the history of maritime safety. It led to the introduction of new regulations and safety measures, including the requirement for ships to carry fire protection equipment and the establishment of the United States Coast Guard. The tragedy also had a lasting impact on the passengers and crew, who were traumatized by their experience. Many of them never recovered from the trauma, and their stories are still told today.

In conclusion, the sinking of the steamboat Lexington on Long Island Sound in January 1840 is a tragic tale that remains a significant event in the history of maritime safety. The tragedy led to the introduction of new regulations and safety measures and had a lasting impact on the passengers and crew. It is a reminder of the importance of exercising due care and taking safety measures to protect the lives and property of those at sea.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682478042