Linseed King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
| Name | Linseed King |
| Owner | Spencer Kellogg & Sons, Inc. |
| Port of registry | United States |
| Laid down | 1919 |
| Fate | Sank December 20, 1926 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Launch |
| Tonnage | 10.75 grt |
| Length | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Beam | 10 ft (3.0 m) |
| Depth | 4.5 ft (1.4 m) |
| Installed power | Gasoline engine |
The Linseed King was a small boat powered by gasoline. It belonged to a company called Spencer Kellogg & Sons, Inc.. On December 20, 1926, the boat sank in the Hudson River near New York City. This terrible accident caused the deaths of between 51 and 58 people.
Contents
What Happened to the Linseed King?
The Linseed King was a launch, which is a type of small boat. It was 45 feet (about 13.7 meters) long. The boat was built in 1919. It was used to carry workers across the Hudson River.
The Morning of the Accident
On December 20, 1926, it was still dark outside. The Linseed King left a pier on 95th Street in Manhattan. This was at 6:30 in the morning. The boat was carrying many people, between 75 and 86 in total. Most of them were workers. They were going to the Spencer Kellogg & Sons' plant in Edgewater, New Jersey.
The Sinking
As the boat traveled across the river, it hit something big. This happened just past the middle of the river. It was likely a large piece of ice, called an ice floe. The impact tore a 19-inch (about 48-centimeter) hole in the front left side of the boat.
The Linseed King sank very quickly. It went down in about two minutes. The water in the Hudson River was extremely cold.
Rescue Efforts and Survivors
Only 29 people managed to survive the sinking. Some survivors held onto parts of the boat. Others swam to nearby ice floes to stay afloat. However, many people were trapped inside the boat's cabin. They could not escape and drowned in the icy water.
A Sad Day in New York History
The sinking of the Linseed King was a very serious event. It was the deadliest maritime accident in New York City history. Before this, the worst accident was the sinking of the PS General Slocum in 1904. The Linseed King tragedy reminded people of the dangers of river travel.
