The Black Diamond Disaster: An American Civil War Event @ St. Clement's Island Museum

Head to St. Clement’s Island Museum for a day commemorating a forgotten tragedy of the American Civil War - the Black Diamond Disaster. On April 23, 1865, eighty-seven (87) lives were lost when the barge Black Diamond and the steamer Massachusetts collided in the Potomac River near St. Clement’s Island during the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.

Saturday & Sunday (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.):

-FREE water taxi rides to St. Clement's Island where the 1863 Goldsmith Raid occurred (the final water taxi will leave at 3:00 p.m. - water taxi operates as weather and wind conditions allow).

-FREE admission to the St. Clement's Island Museum

-FREE special displays from other Civil War agencies such as the Surratt House Museum and the Sons of Union Veterans.

-Book signings with Karen Stone, author of the new book "Shipwreck on the Potomac: Disaster in Pursuit of Lincoln's Killer," about the sinking of the Black Diamond (release date is April 29; advance copies will be available for purchase.)

Saturday Only:

-Traveling Magician Peter Wood will be on site at the museum between 2 pm and 5 pm offering 19th century sleight of hand and other feats of magic. He will present an interactive stage show from 7pm to 8pm at Potomac Gardens; this is a ticketed event. Get your tickets here: TBD

Sunday Only:

-Commemorative ceremony (2:00 p.m.) with remarks by Naval Air Station Patuxent River Base Commander and keynote address by "Clara Barton," as portrayed by award winning actress Mary Ann Jung. The ceremony will include a wreath laying and the reading of the names of the deceased.

-FREE Civil War-era fiddle music by Sibling Rivalry Band before and after the ceremony.

-Reception (3:00 p.m.) at St. Clement’s Island Museum follows the ceremony. Clara Barton will remain on site for conversations, photos and more.

-Dinner & a Cruise Series: The Civil War & the Potomac River, hosted by Karen Stone: In the 1860s, life on the Potomac River was quite different than it is today. Instead of the calm open waters, the river was the frontline of battle. The Potomac was the main lifeline out of Washington D.C. and for the federal government it was the dividing line between the warring sections of the North and South. In this talk Museum Division Manager and author Karen Stone will bring to life the events that took place on the river and what the people on the shores were up to during those four long years. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

History of the Black Diamond: In April 1865, following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, the Quartermaster Corps sent the barge Black Diamond to the lower Potomac to stand on picket duty off St. Clement’s Island. Her main job was to keep John Wilkes Booth from crossing the Potomac River. During the same time, the steamer Massachusetts headed for Fortress Monroe out of Alexandria, Virginia. In a tragic turn of events, the Massachusetts struck the Black Diamond on the port side near the boiler, sinking her in under three minutes. 87 lives were lost off the shores of St. Clement’s Island that night. Read the full story

For more information about the event, call 301-769-2222.