Relic & Postcard from the Larchmont Tragedy, One of the Worst Maritime Disasters in New England History

A pair of postcards, one being a relic postcard, relating to the sinking of the Steamer "Larchmont" in 1907. Both measure approximately 5.5" x 3.5", Rhode Island, ca. 1907. The first is a standard postcard, with a black and white image of the Larchmont on the water, captioned: "STEAMER LARCHMONT, of the Joy Line, Sunk in Collision off Block Island. FEB. 11, 1907." Photographed by H. Ladd Walford. Published by J. L. & C.H. Seddon of Providence, Rhode Island. With blank verso. The second is an unusual relic postcard, a piece of sail taken from the wreck of the Schooner Harry Knowlton, at Quonochontaug, Rhode Island. Made of woven cloth and printed upon. Blank verso. The standard postcard has toning, foxing, and soiling throughout, with light edge wear. Heavy soiling and wear to the edges of the relic postcard. Very good overall.

On February 11, 1907, the SS Larchmont set sail from Providence, Rhode Island on an overnight cruise to New York City. The weather was bitterly cold, with temperatures hovering around zero degrees, and strong wind created waves up to twenty feet high. At around ten-thirty that night, the lights of an approaching ship were viewed, and Pilot John Anson ordered the quartermaster to adjust the Larchmont’s course so that the two vessels would not pass too closely in the rough waves. However, too late it was realized that the sailing ship had also changed its course and was heading straight toward the Larchmont. Anson blasted four short warning whistles and ordered the ship to turn hard to port, but it was too late. At ten forty-five on February 11, 1907, the "Harry Knowlton", a heavily loaded three-masted coal schooner, plowed into the SS Larchmont, ripping a huge hole in the passenger ship and severing her main steam line, causing her to lose all power. In the near pitch black, passengers and crew were burned by scalding steam that had been released in the crash, while many others never made it out of their cabins. Those who were able to make it to the deck managed to board lifeboats and escape the sinking ship, and Captain McVay attempted to search the waters for any survivors. They found no one and were soon blown away from the ship by the fierce winds. Within fifteen minutes of its collision with the Harry Knowlton, the Larchmont sank beneath the waves. More than one hundred other people died that night, in what would be one of the worst maritime disasters in New England’s history.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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