On February 11, 1907, the steamship Larchmont collided with the schooner
Harry Knowlton. Thrown from their bunks, passengers of the Larchmont
panicked and ran onto the ship's deck. Haphazardly loaded lifeboats set
out only partially full, and shrieks from those left behind were heard
in the distance. Nearly 150 passengers were lost that night. The men and
women of Block Island courageously aided those in need and dealt with
the horrors that washed ashore. Controversy swirled around the conduct
of the captain and crew of the Larchmont as investigators tried to
determine who was responsible for the collision. Authors Joseph and
Janice Soares chronicle one of the greatest disasters in New England's
waters.