What is sea wing disaster?

The Sea Wing disaster occurred on July 13, 1902, when the passenger steamboat Sea Wing sank in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean near Squaw Island, New York, USA. The steamboat was carrying more than 800 passengers, mostly African American, who were on their way to a picnic on Long Island. The boat had embarked from Manhattan and was on its way when it was hit by a sudden squall that caused it to capsize.

Despite rescue efforts by nearby boats and individuals, only about 200 passengers survived the disaster while the rest perished. The disaster is considered one of the worst single-vessel maritime disasters in American history and had a significant impact on the African American community, particularly in New York City. The tragedy was initially downplayed by the media, and the black community had to fight to have it recognized, leading to greater scrutiny and regulation of passenger vessels in the future. The incident also led to changes in the ways African Americans were able to travel and enjoy recreational activities in the United States.