Today is June 15th and this day marks the 100th Anniversary of the
worst disaster in New York's history prior to the World Trade Centre
attacks.
On June 15, 1904, 1,021 New Yorkers perished when their steamboat
burst into flames on the East River. Most victims were women and
children bound for a weekday church excursion to a Long Island Sound
picnic ground. A panicked and untrained crew, coupled with rotten
life preservers and inaccessible life boats, turned a small storage
room fire into a human tragedy of immense proportions. Later, as
evidence of negligence and corruption on the part of the steamer's
owners mounted, sympathy turned to outrage and demands for justice
that were never fully met.
Sadly this tragedy has slipped into oblivion, but to paddlewheel ship
enthusiasts it marks one of the most important events in maritime
history. Today those who perished in this horrifying disaster will be
remembered by special services and tributes in New York City. The
last survivor, Adella Wotherspoon of Berkeley Heights, N.J., died
earlier this year.
Current documentaries to be aired are "Fearful Visitation: The
Burning of the General Slocum", Linhart-Dray Films.
"Ship Ablaze" in production, NFL Films to air on the History Channel
June 16, 2004
The on-air presenter for both these documentaries is Dr. Edward T.
O'Donnell whose authoritative new book on the General Slocum
disaster, "Ship Ablaze", was published in 2003.
Today Paddleducks around the world may wish to pause for a moment to
remember the 1,021 souls whose lives tragically ended on this day 100
years ago.
Paul Jordan
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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