Phoenix Sinking
Painting
Panel
Acrylic
This unframed piece, titled Phoenix Sinking, depicts the 1819 fire that destroyed the Phoenix steamboat. The Phoenix was the second commercial steamboat to be used in Lake Champlain, traveling between New York and Quebec, among other ports. While the ultimate cause is debated, the fire that broke out on the night of September 4, 1819 was discovered too late to be extinguished in time to save the ship. Many of the ship’s passengers and crew were able to escape the blaze by two small rowboats. The rushed escape unfortunately left a dozen people (including the captain) behind on a rapidly sinking ship. Only Captain Sherman and five others were able to be saved the following morning.
Ernest Haas Collection
1995
22 in
34 in
Unframed
If reproduced, the credit line should read: Phoenix Sinking. Ernest Haas, 1995. Acrylic on panel. 34in x 22in. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Collection.
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum welcomes the reproduction of images from our collection. Interested parties are asked to please contact info@lcmm.org for more information.