Skip to product information
1 of 1

Down East Books

Tragedy of the Royal Tar: The 1836 Circus Steamship Fire

Regular price $7.95 USD
Regular price Sale price $7.95 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Title: Tragedy of the Royal Tar: The 1836 Circus Steamship Fire
Author: Mark Warner
ISBN: 9781608933570
Publisher: Down East Books
Published: 2015
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Condition: Used: Near Fine
Disc, case and artwork in excellent condition with little sign of use. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders.

American History 1634457

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.