Samuel de Champlain

Historical marker location:

Kenduskeag Stream Park, Bangor, Maine

( Marker is at the intersection of Hammond Street/State Street (U.S. 2) and Kenduskeag Stream, on the left when traveling east on Hammond Street/State Street.)

Marker installed: 1922

Maine was the site of the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history: The worst maritime disaster in U.S. history occurred off the coast of Maine in 1914, when the passenger ship SS Eastland capsized, killing 844 people. The disaster was caused by overcrowding and instability due to design flaws.