Comments on: Sabotage in New York Harbor

By: Gilbert King

Gilbert King — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:21:25 +0000

Thanks for your post, Tom. Since you’re interested in the German-American community of Yorkville and its history, you’re probably already familiar with this story of the General Slocum disaster. http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/history/2012/02/a-spectacle-of-horror-the-burning-of-the-general-slocum/

By: Tom Orzo

Tom Orzo — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:50:08 +0000

Great article, briefly filling in useful info and details about this spectacular crime of sabotage right here in New York. As a licensed NYC tour guide I was aware of this incident, but this has been very helpful in providing a better picture of the very divided German presence – the majority intensely patriotic and loyal to their newly adopted country, and a segment of the population intent on disrupting and defeating the U.S. This division provoked a deeply mixed response among the population at large. A small but significant detail: I was born in Lenox Hill Hospital, on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan after WWII. Prior to The Great War (it was not yet WWI) Lenox Hill Hospital was known as The German Hospital because it was founded by German-Americans, and administered by them, though all patients were admitted and cared for, in the very large German-American community of Yorkville on the Upper Eastside. Anti-German sentiment stemming from The Great War was so strong that the name of the hospital was actually changed so it could continue in operation without facing public censure.

By: Peaceful Vet

Peaceful Vet — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:15:09 +0000

While I had not yet been born at that time, and had another 14 years to go, the subject is fascinating. Being a student of history, I honestly confess that I have never heard of this event, and welcome this information, even at this late date. Now, I will research it for more details, and those will be so much easier because of those sources provided and the invention of the computer and all the innovations that it has enabled and provided. I thank the Smithsonian for their continued research and interest.

By: Babarondas

Babarondas — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:29:47 +0000

My Dad lived on Brunswick Street, downtown Jersey City, at that time. He was 7 years old. He told us often of the explosion, and how everyone thought it was the work of German spies, although that might have been “added” to his recolllection as he got older.
Great story!