On July 25, 1884, the barge Monitor, bound for Sacramento, burned and sank two miles below Rio Vista while being towed by the steamer Christina. Built from the hull of the steamer Monitor after its machinery had been removed so it could carry freight, the barge was loaded with thirty tons of hay and a wagon worth $300 when the fire broke out. Two men aboard discovered the hay burning and began throwing bales into the river, but strong wind quickly spread the flames across nearly the entire cargo after fifteen bales had been cast off. Forced to jump overboard, the men clung to the rudder until the barge drifted near shore, where one swam ashore and helped save the other, who could not swim. For its own safety, the Christina had to remain at a distance as the barge burned to the water's edge and sank.