Dear Pawtucket Residents,
In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Mackinac steamboat tragedy, I hope you will attend the City of Pawtucket’s Mackinac Remembrance Day ceremony.
Taking place this Monday, August 18 (11:30 am) at Festival Pier (21 Tim Healey Way), the city will come together to honor the lives lost on that tragic day.
Remembered as one of Rhode Island’s worst maritime disasters, the steamboat Mackinac was returning to Pawtucket from a trip to Newport on August 18, 1925, when the boiler exploded. Sadly, 55 lives were lost that day, and over 150 passengers were injured. Many aboard the ship were Pawtucket residents.
Pawtucket City Councilor Wildenhain’s family lost several loved ones and will be on hand to share their story. Members of the Gilligan family, whose father survived the tragedy, will also share archives detailing the tragedy and subsequent litigation that resulted.
The ceremony will honor forever those impacted by the events that day and will also recognize the heroic efforts of those who put their own lives on the line to save as many as possible.
The City would like to thank the Wildenhain and Gilligan families for their generous donation of time and effort in organizing this important event. We hope you can join us.
Sincerely,
Mayor Donald R. Grebien
City of Pawtucket