Details
Contributor Magee, John L., publisher.
Pharazyn, Alfred, publisher.
Title Terrible conflagration and destruction of the steamboat "New Jersey," on the Delaware River, above Smith's Island, on the night of March 15th, between 8 and 9 o'clock, in which dreadful calamity over 50 lives are supposed to have been lost. [graphic].
Publisher Philadelphia: Published and for sale by J. L. Magee, 48 Passyunk Road and A. Pharazyn, 103 South Street
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1856
Date 1856
Physical Description 1 print: lithograph, hand-colored; 22 x 34 cm. (8.5 x 13.5 in.)
Description Dramatic view of the steamboat, its nameplate visible, engulfed in flames and smoke, as the passengers escape into the icy river. Panicked passengers huddle, jump and dive into the water already teeming with disaster victims. The river-bound men and women bob; swim; and lie on, attempt to stay upon, and assist others onto cakes of ice and debris. In the lower right of the image, a rowboat containing a rower and a man holding a baby as well as a victim hanging on to the rear of the vessel arrives at the nearby wharf. The rescuer hands the limp baby to its mother, next to whom a man stands with a look of concern. In the left background, signage for "Baths" adorns the riverbank. Captained by Ebenezer Corson, the "New Jersey," on mid-voyage to Camden from Philadelphia via an alternate elongated route due to heavy ice, caught fire as a result of defective boilers, a fireplace, and brick work. With the fire spreading rapidly, Corson retreated to Arch Street Wharf in Philadelphia, and came within thirty feet of the pier when the pilot house collapsed leaving the boat unmanned and out of control. Corson survived by leaping ashore before the uncontrolled ship drifted back out on the river.
Is referenced by Wainwright 366
Notes Philadelphia on Stone
POS 745
Wainwright retrospective conversion project, edited.
Free Library of Philadelphia: Castner 19:33
Subject Steamboat accidents -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Disaster victims -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Fires -- Pensylvania -- Philadelphia.
Geographic subject Delaware River (N.Y.-Del. and N.J.)
Genre Lithographs -- Hand-colored -- 1850-1860.
Printer Magee, John L., publisher.
Pharazyn, Alfred, publisher.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| *W366 [P.2202]
Accession number P.2202