Burning of the Henry Clay Near Yonkers–While on Her Trip From Albany to New York on Wednesday Afternoon July 28th, 1852.–The rapid spread of the flames forced the passengers into the water. Mothers and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters were drowned together, whilst trying to save each other. Little children buffetted the waves in vain for a few moments, and then sunk to rise no more. Persons on board about 500 of which number nearly 100 are supposed to have perished.

Nathaniel Currier

1852 · Hand-colored lithograph · Drawings and Prints

Burning of the Henry Clay Near Yonkers–While on Her Trip From Albany to New York on Wednesday Afternoon July 28th, 1852.–The rapid spread of the flames forced the passengers into the water. Mothers and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters were drowned together, whilst trying to save each other. Little children buffetted the waves in vain for a few moments, and then sunk to rise no more. Persons on board about 500 of which number nearly 100 are supposed to have perished. — Nathaniel Currier

A steam-driven paddleboat burns. Passengers crowd to the upright bow of the ship, while others jump from the stern. In the foreground passengers are tossed in the ocean waves.

Artist: Nathaniel Currier
Date: 1852
Medium: Hand-colored lithograph
Department: Drawings and Prints
Credit line: Bequest of Adele S. Colgate, 1962