THE WRECK OF THE CIRCUS SHIP ROYAL TAR: Tragedy in Penobscot Bay

On October 21, 1836, the Royal Tar had been transformed into a circus ship for a voyage from New Brunswick to Portland, Maine. After four days of stormy weather, a devastating fire engulfed the ship. Thirty-three people were dead, and many of the animals were pushed overboard into the frigid waters of Penobscot Bay in a last-ditch effort to save them. Illus.