Documentary on Phoenix Steamship Sinking Premieres in Oostburg
OOSTBURG – The highly acclaimed documentary about the tragic sinking of the Phoenix steamship will premiere on the 177th anniversary of the disaster, scheduled for November 21 at the Oostburg High School Performing Arts Center, located at 410 New York Ave. The event will commence at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Created by Dutch filmmaker Diny van Hoften and podcaster Joske Meerdink, the documentary revisits the harrowing tale of the Phoenix, which sank in 1847, claiming the lives of nearly 180 individuals, including about 100 children. The film highlights the lives of the Dutch emigrants aboard, recounting both the heart-wrenching loss and the survival stories.
In July 2022, Meerdink and van Hoften traveled to Sheboygan, driven by a desire to unearth the story behind the shipwreck. Their research led to a collaboration with local shipwreck hunter Steve Radovan, who had previously identified what he thought might be a log in the area of the ship’s sinking. Upon further investigation with Wisconsin Historical Society archaeologist Tamara Thomsen, the object was confirmed as a smokestack, providing a crucial lead in locating the site of the disaster. Radovan remarked, “To me, it’s kind of neat… The smokestack of the Phoenix tells me exactly where this disaster happened now.”
The Phoenix was engulfed in flames and sank within sight of Sheboygan, sparking a poignant historical narrative and a reminder of maritime perils. The documentary aims to immortalize this chapter in history and honor the lives lost. For more information, contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @breidHTRNews.
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