Dreadful Wreck of the Mexico on Hempstead Beach, January 2nd, 1837 – As Now Exhibiting at Hanington Dioramas–Perished in All–115 Souls. 1846 - 1856

H. Sewell made this print, “Dreadful Wreck of the Mexico,” in 1837, to be sold at the offices of The Sun newspaper. The image depicts a shipwreck off the coast of Long Island and, as the inscription tells us, was also exhibited as a diorama. In the 1830s, diorama shows were a popular form of entertainment. By exhibiting it in this way, Sewell helped to transform a tragic event into a spectacle for public consumption. The caption informs us that 115 souls were lost in the wreck of the Mexico, yet the scene also contains elements of melodrama. The men on the beach gesticulate, some perhaps attempting rescue, and the waves break high around the stricken vessel. The image thus appeals to a broad audience, promising both information and sensation. Understanding this work requires research into the history of popular entertainment and the rise of mass media in Jacksonian America.