Asbury Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
S.S. Morro Castle Disaster
Photographed By R. C.
1. S.S. Morro Castle Disaster Marker
S.S. Morro Castle
September 8, 1934
This monument is dedicated to the 137 passengers and crew of the S.S. Morro Castle who lost their lives on September 8, 1934 when the ship burned off the Jersey Coast when returning from Havana, Cuba to New York City. It is also dedicated to the many courageous Jersey Shore residents who risked their own lives or provided assistance to rescue Morro Castle survivors from rough seas and recover the victims who washed ashore or were pulled from the sea.
American maritime history was forever changed by the Morro Castle Disaster. Incorporating fire-prevention design into ships and requiring mandatory life-boat drills are a direct result of this great loss of life. The still-burning Morro Castle beached itself in Asbury Park, just off of Convention Hall, and became a major tourist attraction until the charred hull was towed away to be sold as scrap months later. Mystery still surrounds the events of the Morro Castle that fateful night--mysteries that may never be solved but which resulted in one of the greatest maritime disasters in American History.
Dedicated
this page online
Erected 2009 by Asbury Park Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1778.
Location. 40° 13.409′ N, 73° 59.932′ W. Marker is in Asbury Park, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Avenue and 5th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Located on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park NJ 07712, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Soldiers’ Monument (approx. 0.7 miles away); New Era Anchor (approx. ¾ mile away); President Wilson’s Asbury Park Executive Offices (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jersey Central Power & Light Employees (approx. 0.9 miles away); Honey Suckle Rose (approx. 1.3 miles away); Bradley Beach World War I Monument (approx. 1.7 miles away); Church of the Presidents (approx. 2.7 miles away); James A. Garfield (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Asbury Park.
Photographed By R. C.
2. Detail of the drawing on the monument
Photographed By R. C.
3. Mr. Sariotis was present when the Morro Castle grounded at Asbury Park in 1934
Mr. Gregory Sariotis, the only person present at today's dedication who was there in 1934 when the disaster happened. He is now 82 years old. At the time, he was a seven and a half year old boy who was in his father's store on First Ave., when the ship came aground.
Photographed By R. C.
4. Listening to the "old timer."
Tourists stop to listen to the story of the Morro Castle by Mr. Gregory Sariotis, the only person present at today's dedication who was there in 1934 when the disaster happened. He is now 82 years old.
Photographed By R. C.
5. S.S. Morro Castle Disaster Marker in front of The Paramount Theatre
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2009, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,139 times since then and 132 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 8, 2009, by R. C. of College Station, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
