A New York Disaster



Ninety-five years ago, on this day

Hundreds of folks' lives went astray

When over a thousand devout Lutherans

Were caught in a steamer fire at once ...



Most were the women of St. Mark's

Who'd planned the excursion till dark

A thousand tickets sold, with children free

So the boat was filled with joy and gaiety



And an hour out of the harbor at East Third

An enormous explosion amidship was heard

Followed by a raging fire spreading in five

(Those long minutes as most, burned alive)



Poor young children ... some jumped to death

(No real choice between fire and the icy breadth)

Whole families were wiped out on that very day

As the General Slocum self-immolated in the bay



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

5:27pm Tuesday, June 15th, 1999



NB

The estimate was 1000 lives lost.

Only 693 bodies were recovered.