Loss of the SS Home
While making its third voyage from New York to Charleston, the Home struck a sandbar off the Jersey coast.
Unaware of the extent of the damage, her captain proceeded on schedule to Charleston, SC. The Home started taking on water as she rounded Cape Hatteras, and her captain put her aground to ride out the developing storm. Leaking badly from the earlier damage and battered by the high winds and seas of Racer's Storm, the Home was torn to pieces by the surf. Before rescue operations could be effected the next day 90 lives had been lost.
In 1837, the steamship Home was destroyed in a hurricane off Ocracoke Island. One hundred people, including many prominent figures, were lost at sea due primarily to a lack of life preservers. As a result of this tragedy, The Steamboat Act was passed, which required all ships to have life preservers available on board for all passengers.
The SS Home was a steam packet ship built in 1836 and sunk in 1837 and commanded by Captain Carleton White.
The Home was built for Mr. James B. Allaire, of New York City, a ship of 537 tons (487,158 kg), 220 feet (67 m) long and with a beam of 22 feet (7 m), propelled by two paddle-wheels mounted amidship. Like other ships of its day, the Home had masts, sails, and rigging as well.
On Saturday, 7 October 1837, the Home set out from New York City bound for Charleston, South Carolina with about 90 passengers and 40 crew on board. The Home had only made two voyages to Charleston prior to this voyage. The Home struck a sandbar off the New Jersey coast. Unaware of the extent of the damage, her captain proceeded on schedule to Charleston when it encountered the 1837 Racer's Storm and started taking on water as she rounded Cape Hatteras. She was put aground to ride out the developing storm. Before rescue operations could be effected the next day, the Home was torn to pieces by the surf and 90 lives were lost.
