Tells the little-known story of the sinking of the steamboat Lexington on Long Island Sound in January 1840. The tragedy remains the worst maritime disaster in the history of Long Island Sound.

"Death by Fire and Ice tells the little-known story of the sinking of the steamboat Lexington on Long Island Sound in January 1840. The Lexington left Manhattan bound for Stonington, Connecticut, carrying an estimated 147 passengers and crew and a cargo of baled cotton. After making her way up an ice-encrusted East River and into Long Island Sound, she caught fire off Eaton's Neck. The fire quickly ignited the cotton stowed on board and the blaze burned through the ship's wheel and tiller ropes, rendering the ship unmanageable. There were only four survivors, and the tragedy remains the worst maritime disaster in the history of Long Island Sound."--