Astoria in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
General Slocum Disaster
Astoria Park
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 15, 2024
On the morning of June 15, 1904, the steamboat General Slocum caught fire in the East River with approximately 1,300 people on board, including many children. In the course of 20 minutes an estimated 1,021 people died. Prior to September 11, 2001, the burning of the General Slocum had the highest death toll of any disaster in New York City history.
The triple-decker wooden side paddler was built in 1891 and named after Henry Warner Slocum (1827-1894), a Union Army general who later represented the City of Brooklyn in Congress. Saint Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was located on Manhattan's Lower East Side and served primarily German immigrants, chartered the ship for their 17th annual excursion to the Locust Grove Picnic Ground on Eaton's Neck, Long Island.
Wearing their Sunday best, the passengers boarded the General Slocum at its Third Street dock, and at about 9:40 a.m. the ship headed up the East River. As the band played, people danced on the deck and passersby waved from the shore. When the ship reached Astoria, onlookers waved frantically because smoke was billowing from the portholes. Initially, the passengers assumed the burning smell came from the kitchen, and although a few crewmen were aware of the fire, they did not alert the captain. With the exception of the captain and chief engineer, the 35 man crew lacked experience and had never conducted a fire drill.
Although the crew did not sound an alarm, many passengers jumped from the boat while it passed through Hell Gate, taking their chances in New York's most turbulent channel rather than remain onboard. Unfortunately, the majority of the ship's lifejackets proved worthless because the material then used for buoyancy, cork, had turn to dust over time. The life preservers actually absorbed the water, and the passengers who wore them were pulled underwater.
Hundreds of bodies floated in the ship's wake and washed up on Astoria's shoreline.
Just as the General Slocum passed Randall's Island, the smoke below deck gave way to massive flames. Only then did the captain receive word of the blaze. He had no choice but to beach the General Slocum on North Brother Island. As the ship raced to shallow water the crew tried to fight the blaze, but the fire hoses burst under the pressure. A dozen tugs, two fireboats, a police boat, and more than a hundred other vessels joined in the rescue effort. Some of the rescue ships themselves caught fire while trying to get people off the General Slocum. In 15 minutes the Slocum had burned to the waterline.
President Theodore Roosevelt appointed a Commission of Investigation, which determined that a number of causal factors led to the General
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 15, 2024
In 1906 the city dedicated a fountain in Tompkins Square Park in remembrance of those who died in the General Slocum disaster. Every year a ceremony is held at the fountain to honor the victims. Although New York has changed immensely over the past century, ferries and ships still play an important role in the city's daily life. Since 1946 the U.S. Coast Guard has been responsible for maritime safety, employing nearly 500 uniformed and civilian personnel in inspection duties and more than 100 as accident investigators.
Erected by NYC Parks. (Marker Number 301.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1904.
Location. 40° 46.772′ N, 73° 55.414′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Astoria. Marker is on Shore Boulevard, 0.4 miles south of Ditmars Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Shore Blvd, Astoria NY 11105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Astoria Pool (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); New York Connecting Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Flight 587 Memorial Grove (approx. ¼ mile away); Peter Chappetto Memorial Square (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sophocles (approx. 0.8 miles away); Welcome to the Freshwater Kills (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lawrence Family Graveyard (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queens.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 59 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.