Maybe no maritime occasion is extra well-known than the notorious sinking of the “unsinkable” ship—the Titanic. Nonetheless, few folks know {that a} tragedy befell one other liner simply off the coast of New Jersey. On September 8, 1934, a cruise liner met its fiery demise within the Atlantic Ocean, simply eight miles off of the Jersey Shore. Learn on for the historical past of New Jersey’s ill-fated SS Morro Fortress.
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What was the SS Morro Fortress?
The Ward Line, a delivery firm, constructed the SS Morro Fortress liner in 1928 after a congressional invoice loaned $250 million to American shipbuilders. The Ward Line was primarily a mail and cargo line whose essential route operated backwards and forwards to Cuba. The SS Morro Fortress additionally took passengers on a vacation route between New York and La Habana.
Not solely did the vessel supply luxurious journey, nevertheless it was additionally deemed a nonstop occasion at sea. The worth for a ticket was low in comparison with rivals, and the ship was exempt from Prohibition-era guidelines. Many passengers purchased a ticket to take pleasure in drinks and nightlife with out restrictions within the Nineteen Thirties. Sadly, the ship’s vivacious repute would take a flip for the more serious in 1934.
The SS Morro Fortress’s Final Voyage
On Sept. 5, 1934, the SS Morro Fortress launched into its final voyage. A number of unlucky occasions marred its closing tour. First, the ship sailed right into a Nor’easter storm. Then, on Sept. 7, Captain Robert Willmot complained of abdomen hassle earlier than succumbing to an obvious coronary heart assault. The collection of ill-fated occasions would culminate within the early morning hours of Sept. 8.
Simply earlier than 3 a.m., a hearth broke out in a first-class storage locker. Twenty minutes later, {the electrical} failed as a consequence of being engulfed in flames. Because of this, crew members may solely launch one S.O.S. message. As panic unfold, a number of crew members determined to desert the ship and stole many of the vessel’s 16 lifeboats. Consequently, lower than 85 p.c of passengers had been in a position to go away the SS Morro Fortress by lifeboat. Moreover, there was an absence of coaching relating to the lifejackets. Many passengers inflated their jackets earlier than leaping overboard, breaking their necks or knocking themselves unconscious in consequence.
Along with the onboard chaos, rescue boats and the Coast Guard had been impaired because of the Nor’easter. Regardless of the storm, 4 different ships had been in a position to present help. Seen from the coast, many New Jerseyans waded by way of the water to tug passengers ashore and supply medical help. The bravery of the neighborhood saved many lives. Sadly, 137 lives had been misplaced—dying from both the fireplace itself, drowning, or accidents ensuing from leaping overboard.
After the Hearth
The SS Morro Fortress ultimately beached close to the Conference Corridor at Asbury Park, 56 miles from its vacation spot in New York. Morbid guests watched the still-burning ship from simply 100 toes away. The truth is, the tragedy benefited the native economic system for six months—accommodations had been occupied gone the top of the standard summer season season. Native companies marketed with postcards and souvenirs that includes the catastrophe. For practically half a 12 months, vacationers considered the charred ship from afar. Finally, the Ward Line declared the ship a complete loss and towed it away, breaking it to items and promoting it for scrap in March of 1935.
What Prompted the Hearth?
Whereas the origin of the fireplace continues to be unknown, many theories have arisen over time. Previous to Captain Wilmott’s loss of life, he reportedly claimed: “I’m afraid one thing goes to occur tonight, I really feel it.” Whether or not an omen relating to his suspicious loss of life or the liner’s sinister blaze, nobody actually is aware of. Regardless, his assertion proved to bode unwell.
Theories counsel that radio operator George Rogers—initially hailed a hero for remaining on the ship—was a pyromaniac who could have began the fireplace. His heroicness was introduced underneath query when it was revealed that he had been concerned in a hearth in his prior place of employment. His enterprise after the SS Morro Fortress tragedy burnt down, too. He ultimately went to jail for tried homicide, adopted by a stint for a double murder. This earlier hero would grow to be the first suspect relating to the fireplace, though no proof ever established him—or anybody—because the arsonist.
The SS Morro Fortress Legacy
Though the reason for the fireplace stays a thriller, a number of components resulting in the ship’s fiery demise are clear. The fireplace unfold rapidly as a result of the ship was smothered in a number of layers of extremely flammable paint. Ineffective fireplace doorways and poor fireplace hose water strain, plus the insufficient response of the crew, had been additionally main components within the catastrophe. Moreover, the commander who took over for the deceased captain, Captain Warms, opted to proceed steaming right into a headwind, which additionally led to the fast unfold of the fireplace.
Though the Titanic catastrophe induced the implementation of recent guidelines relating to lifeboats, the SS Morro Fortress tragedy led to tighter maritime security requirements. Legal guidelines required that boats have fire-retardant supplies, computerized fireplace doorways, improved ship-wide fireplace alarms and extra rigorous emergency coaching for crew and passengers.
Right now, a monument devoted to the SS Morro Fortress is on a strip simply south of Conference Corridor in Asbury Park. The Asbury Park Historic Society gifted the black marble slab on the seventy fifth anniversary of the maritime catastrophe. To commemorate the incident, go to the Sea Girt Lighthouse. Right here, tour guides recount the occasion as guests view SS Morro Fortress pictures, paperwork and artifacts (which embrace an oar and lifejackets).
