Disaster on the Potomac: The Last Run of the Steamboat Wawaset (paperback)
On a sweltering August day in 1873, the sidewheel steamboat Wawaset set out on what should have been a routine run along the Potomac River. Within hours, tragedy struck. A sudden fire consumed the vessel, claiming dozens of lives and shocking communities along both shores of the river.
 
In this gripping account, the author reconstructs the events leading up to the disaster, the frantic moments as passengers and crew fought for survival, and the aftermath that left a lasting mark on river travel in the region. Drawing on eyewitness testimony, newspaper accounts, and historical records, the book brings the Wawaset and its ill-fated journey vividly to life.
 
More than a story of maritime tragedy, Disaster on the Potomac explores the vital role of steamboats in 19th-century commerce and travel, the risks of early river transportation, and the resilience of the communities forever changed by the catastrophe. Richly detailed and deeply human, it is a compelling read for maritime history enthusiasts, regional historians, and anyone captivated by true tales of the Potomac.