| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Henry Clay |
| Namesake | Henry Clay |
| Owner | Thomas Collyer, William Radford, & John Tallman |
| Route | New York City – Albany |
| Builder | Thomas Collyer, New York City |
| Launched | August 1851 |
| Fate | Caught fire and destroyed, July 28, 1852 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Side-wheel paddle steamer |
| Length | 198 ft (60 m) |
| Propulsion | Walking beam steam engine |
| Capacity | 500 passengers |
Henry Clay was an American side paddle wheel steamboat. Built in 1851, it caught fire while on a run on the Hudson River between Albany, New York and New York City on July 28, 1852. Nearly 50 of its over 500 passengers died in what was the river's worst steam disaster, near Riverdale, in The Bronx, New York.[1]
The Clay competed with other steamships and the Hudson River Railroad, which was completed along the river's east shore to East Albany by 1851. On the day of the fire, the Henry Clay was racing another steamboat, a common practice of the day, as it was believed it would attract more passengers. In spite of the huge crowd aboard, there were only two lifeboats, which proved useless.
Similar to the latter sinking of the Titanic, many of the victims came from prestigious families, spurring excited press coverage. Among the known victims was Stephen Allen, a former mayor of New York City.[2]
Several inquests and a high-publicity trial were held after the disaster. In spite of the media maelstrom, the owner and all the boat's officers were acquitted. However, the New York State Legislature soon passed a law prohibiting steamship racing on the Hudson, and Congress, previously reluctant to regulate steamboats, was forced by the public to push through aggressive new legislation.