The PS General Slocum [note 1] was an American sidewheel passenger steamboat built in Brooklyn, New York, in 1891. During her service history, she was involved in a number of mishaps, including multiple groundings and collisions. On June 15, 1904, General Slocum caught fire and sank in the East River of New York City. [1]

Jun 13, 2011 · On June 15, 1904, the ship carried 1,358 passengers, plus crew. Chartered by the St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church for $350.00, the passengers came mostly from the German-American community of the Lower East Side.

Feb 21, 2012 · The death toll of 1,021, most of them women and children, made the burning of the Slocum New York City’s worst disaster until the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The fire...

On June 15, 1904, the steamboat General Slocum caught fire while ferrying members of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church up the East River to their annual outing. One thousand of its 1,300 passengers would perish, largely the consequence of disintegrating fire hoses and inaccessible lifeboats.

The Slocum was due to depart at 8 am, but was delayed by two families who, citing a premonition of disaster the night before, quickly disembarked the ship at the last minute. Around 9:40 am, the General Slocum began its fateful journey up the East River.

Nov 13, 2009 · More than 1,000 people taking a pleasure trip on New York City’s East River are drowned or burned to death when a fire sweeps through the boat. This was one of the United States’ worst maritime...

Jun 15, 2019 · This tragedy was the single deadliest event in New York City history until September 11, 2001. This disaster virtually wiped out the German presence on the Lower East Side—entire families perished, many of whom had just gotten a …

Dec 20, 2024 · Over 1,000 people—mostly women and children—perish in the worst disaster in New York history prior to 9/11. The tragedy devastates the German community and shocks the nation. Read more about it!

Jun 21, 2024 · German-Americans lived, worked, shopped, and worshipped in this thriving neighborhood. Then on June 15, 1904, 1358 people climbed aboard the General Slocum, a steam Paddleboat for a church picnic at Locust Grove on Long Island. Shortly after leaving the dock the ship caught fire, and horrible mistakes worsened the situation.

In the wake of the Slocum tragedy, the Little Germany community seemed to fall apart, with widowers committing suicide and shrunken families moving away from this ethnic enclave, with its memories of missing relatives and neighbors.