On October 15, 1815, 7 years after its launch, the original steamer, The Vermont sank. Its connecting rod detached from the crank and smashed a hole right through the hull.

The steamship was three miles north of the Canadian border at the time, but everyone managed to make it off the vessel to safety.

The Vermont was a total loss, although workmen did manage to salvage some of the machinery on board.

The Vermont was the first steamboat on Lake Champlain, and was only the second in regular commercial service in the entire world. It had been built by John and James Winans on the Burlington waterfront.

Historic artwork from the arhives of the National Life Group