1996

Moonstone Beach , South Kingston
On Friday, January 19, the barge North Cape ran aground off of Moonstone Beach in South Kingston, R. I. after the tug boat pushing it caught fire during a severe winter storm. 828,000 gallons of the barge's cargo of #2 heating oil spilled threatening fishing grounds, critical habitat for marine life and birds, and beaches enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Southern New Englanders. The spill affected Rhode Island's South Shore and saltwalter ponds, and Block Island Sound out to Block Island.

1883

In The Cimbria , a German steamer sunk in collision with British sailing ship in North sea, loosing 389 passengers.