The 1836 burning of the steamship Royal Tar in Penobscot Bay became one of Maine’s most remarkable maritime disasters. In this illustrated presentation, Capt. Dennis Dorsey will discuss the findings of an eighteen-year investigation into the vessel, its operation, the people and animals aboard, its final voyage, the development of the fire, rescue efforts, conflicting witness accounts, and the events that followed.

The presentation also examines how archival records, contemporary newspaper accounts, maritime evidence, and other surviving information were compared and evaluated to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the disaster. Dorsey’s investigation culminated in his recently published book, SJ23 Totality of the Circumstances, The Burning of the Royal Tar, 1836.

More info and a link to livestream will be shared soon.

This event will take place in the Mitchell Room, at 17 School Street.