Many have heard of the tragedy involving the liner "Titanic," but Russia also had its own "Titanic," and it happened in Saratov.

On August 7, 1886, the steamboat "Vera" was passing by the village of Zolotoe in the Kamyshin district of Saratov province. Evening was falling, and it was getting dark in the cabins. The steward Vasily Chernyshyov decided to add kerosene to the already burning lamp, which led to a fire. Soon the flames engulfed the entire cabin and spread to other areas. The captain tried to dock at the shore, but due to the steep slope, it was impossible, so he directed the vessel to a sandy island and abandoned it. The engineers followed him, leaving the ship without control. Panic ensued.

The fire approached the bow, and people, in a bid to save themselves, jumped into the water. Many could not swim, and tables and chairs were thrown to them to grab onto, but this only worsened the situation. Heavy objects fell on heads, and people drowned. Even those who could swim did not always survive, as the working screws and turbines created strong currents, pulling people into dangerous areas.

Nevertheless, among the passengers, there were resourceful individuals. One woman saved herself by climbing into a basket with ducks, and she was picked up four versts from the crash site. Others were assisted by a tugboat from merchant Obukhov. The next day, nearly a hundred bodies were retrieved from the water.

The tragedy caused public outcry and was examined in the District Court. To clarify all circumstances, an exact replica of the steamboat "Vera" and kerosene lamps were brought into the courtroom. Captain Mikhail Alyakritsky and steward Vasily Chernyshyov did not admit guilt and received four months of imprisonment each.

The deceased were buried in the cemetery of the village of Zolotoe in Saratov province. However, their graves have not survived and are now located at the bottom of the Volgograd Reservoir.