In 1832, the Amelia made a voyage from New York to New Orleans with 120 passengers on board. The ship wrecked on Folly Beach, stranding all onboard. While stuck, 20 of the passengers died of cholera, also known as “blue death,” and word traveled to nearby Charleston about the passengers. People panicked over a possible epidemic, and all communications and supplies were cut off to the island.
On November 9, 1832, the wreck and all of the last remaining cargo on the ship were torched. A local man from Charleston traveled to the wreck and, upon returning, was attacked.
A patrol was soon established in hopes of keeping the city safe from diseased visitors from Folly. Around 1837, the South Carolina General Assembly allocated funds to settle damages to the victims of Amelia.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Source: Time and Tide on Folly Beach, South Carolina. Gretchen Stringer-Robinson