The Larchmont Disaster Off Block Island: Rhode Island's Titanic

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.

Joseph Soares is the author of four published books and has a passion for history and a lifelong interest in the arts. An avid collector of antiques, specializing in documents, photographs and negatives, Joseph uses his resources in gathering historical documents and imagery for most of his projects. With this material, he is able to put into words important and in many cases previously unpublished facts and images on the subject on which he is covering.