Harriet Conkling
1798-1845
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In a time of rapidly advancing technologies, with inadequate precautions, Harriet Conkling lost her life in the disaster of the steamboat Swallow.
Conkling was aboard The Swallow for an overnight trip down the Hudson River from Albany to New York City on April 7, 1845. As was typical for the times, steamboats coursing the Hudson River often raced each other - legally, if not responsibly. The Swallow was just ahead of two other steamers on that blustery, snowy night, when, about two hours into the trip, the ship struck a rock outcropping near the shore in Athens. The force of the impact was so great her bow rose 15' over the rocks and she nearly split in two. The portion of the boat still above water was quickly ablaze from the damaged boilers while the stern sank.
The exact death toll was never known, but miraculously, it was likely just a few dozen of the 300 or so passengers that perished that evening by fire and water. Conkling's body was only later identified by a handkerchief found in her pocket marked with her name.
A very large assembly of citizens attended her funeral where she was eulogized as "a dutiful and affectionate daughter, a faithful and devoted wife, a tender and watchful mother, a sincere friend, and kind neighbor."
