About the book
There were few experienced swimmers among over 1,300 Lower East Side residents who boarded the General Slocum on June 15, 1904. It shouldn’t have mattered, since the steamship was chartered only for a languid excursion from Manhattan to Long Island Sound. But a fire erupted minutes into the trip, forcing hundreds of terrified passengers into the water. By the time the captain found a safe shore for landing, 1,021 had perished. Ship Ablaze draws on firsthand accounts to examine why the death toll was so high and how the city responded. Masterfully capturing both the horror of the event and the heroism of men, women, and children who faced crumbling life jackets and inaccessible lifeboats as the inferno quickly spread, historian Edward T. O’Donnell brings to life a bygone community while honoring the victims of that forgotten day.
Editions of Ship Ablaze
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780767909051
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780767909068
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307490872
Read an Excerpt
There were few experienced swimmers among over 1,300 Lower East Side residents who boarded the General Slocum on June 15, 1904. It shouldn’t have mattered, since the steamship was chartered only for a languid excursion from Manhattan to Long Island Sound. But a fire erupted minutes into the trip, forcing hundreds of terrified passengers into the water. By the time the captain found a safe shore for landing, 1,021 had perished. Ship Ablaze draws on firsthand accounts to examine why the death toll was so high and how the city responded. Masterfully capturing both the horror of the event and the heroism of men, women, and children who faced crumbling life jackets and inaccessible lifeboats as the inferno quickly spread, historian Edward T. O’Donnell brings to life a bygone community while honoring the victims of that forgotten day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ship Ablaze about?
There were few experienced swimmers among over 1,300 Lower East Side residents who boarded the General Slocum on June 15, 1904. It shouldn’t have mattered, since the steamship was chartered only for a languid excursion from Manhattan to Long Island Sound. But a fire erupted minutes into the trip, forcing hundreds of terrified passengers into the water. By the time the captain found a safe shore for landing, 1,021 had perished. Ship Ablaze draws on firsthand accounts to examine why the death toll was so high and how the city responded. Masterfully capturing both the horror of the event and the heroism of men, women, and children who faced crumbling life jackets and inaccessible lifeboats as the inferno quickly spread, historian Edward T. O’Donnell brings to life a bygone community while honoring the victims of that forgotten day.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Ship Ablaze?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Maritime history
Where can I read a sample of Ship Ablaze?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780767909051
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Ship Ablaze?
Ed O'Donnell
Who is the Publisher of the book Ship Ablaze?
Crown
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Ship Ablaze is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780767909051) and paperback(ISBN 9780767909068) and ebook(ISBN 9780307490872)
Where can I buy Ship Ablaze online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Ship Ablaze from below
Where can I buy Ship Ablaze?