The Royal Tar was a Canadian steamship that tragically met its end on October 25, 1836, in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Built to transport both passengers and freight, it was the first steamboat to travel between St. John, New Brunswick, Eastport, Maine, and Portland, Maine. In October 1836, the ship was transporting a traveling menagerie with animals including horses, camels, a lion, and even an elephant, as well as human performers. Disaster struck when the ship’s boilers were allowed to run dry, sparking a fire that spread rapidly. With the flames making lifeboat access nearly impossible, both people and animals were forced to jump into the frigid waters. Tragically, 32 lives were lost in the chaos, along with all but 2 of the horses. Captain Thomas Reed’s leadership and bravery was crucial in the rescue of the ship’s passengers and crew.
The Royal Tar shipwreck remains notable for the tragic combination of human and animal lives lost, as well as the harrowing tales of survival and loss. The fire’s rapid spread, coupled with limited escape options, highlighted the dangers of early steamship travel and the challenges of combining passenger services with other forms of cargo. The ship was uninsured, compounding the financial and emotional losses experienced by the survivors and the owners. The event resonated widely at the time, as it involved both a loss of life and of spectacle, and it stands as a reminder of the risks of maritime travel in the 19th century, especially with the added complications of unregulated multi-purpose vessels.
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Sources
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