Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Ship Ablaze

Subtitle: The Tragedy of the Steamboat General Slocum

Author: Edward T. O'Donnell

Narrator: Joel Richards

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-31-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: History, American

Publisher's Summary:

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 only chartered 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. It was New York's deadliest tragedy prior to September 11, 2001.

The only book available on this compelling chapter in the city's history, Ship Ablaze draws on firsthand accounts to examine why the death toll was so high, how the city responded, and why this event failed to achieve the infamy of the Titanic's 1912 demise or the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

Masterfully capturing both the horror of the event and heroism of men, women, and children who faced crumbling life jackets and inaccessible lifeboats as the inferno quickly spread, historian Edward T. O'Donnell spotlights an important incident with which most Americans are unfamiliar. Ship Ablaze brings to life a bygone community while honoring the victims of that forgotten day.

Critic Reviews:

"A dramatic and compelling narrative of New York's saddest tragedy before 9/11...a fascinating probe into the inferno that killed hundreds of women and children... O'Donnell does a spellbinding job of making the calamity come alive." (Clive Cussler)

Members Reviews:

Very informative book

I had never heard of the General Slocum before I read O'Donnell's book. It is very well written and researched. The details of corruption and the consequences of the lack of regulation\ enforcement is very resonant in our current political environment. The background of the German community and St Mark's parish; especially the impact of this disaster is very well done. I really found this gutt wrenching story fascinating and its placement in its historical context to be very accurate. Cutting edges, complacency, human error, greed, corruption, etc...I hope the past is not prelude... to our future.

A Page-Turner

As a former New Yorker I was amazed that I hadn't known about the General Slocum steamboat fire. This is a gripping tale which begins with the quiet Little Germany section of town, follows through to the innocent people boarding the steamboat, the horrible disaster, and finally the terrible cost that the neighborhood paid. Well-written and hard to put down. If you have anything to do with New York this book is not to be missed.

Excellent History Of A Terrible Disaster:

Well written history of a horrific steamboat accident that rocked the country in 1904. The description of the events and the consequences that had to be dealt with was saddening to all who have read this book. Very worth while and I recommend this to anyone who likes history or maritime books. You will be glad you took the time..

Tragic story well written

An amazing story of an incident I had never heard of before. How times have changed fomr the early 20th centurh to today. I especially enjoyed finding out more about New York in that period.