On the night of July 30, 1916, Americas largest ammunition depot sat unguarded. At eight minutes past two o'clock on the morning of Sunday, July 30, 1916, a thundering explosion at the Black Tom munitions depot sent sleeping residents of New York City and surrounding areas tumbling from their beds. Germ Warfare in WWI Used on Horses in the U.S. Fall 2017, Vol. [10] All were waiting to be shipped to Russia. Divers recovered shells lost in the harbor after the explosion. Theyve likely been up to the crown, which is open to the public, but the public hasnt visited the torch since 1916. Captain Franz von Rintelen had arrived in the U.S. the previous year. It looked as if they all went up in the air. Of the two men he was with, she said, I didnt see where they went, but I think they must be dead.. The FBI was in its infancy. It even bent electricity poles. In some ways, it's shocking that the explosion didn't cause more damage. The bottom stained-glass windows have text in Polish to commemorate the explosion in 1916. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine From Black Buttons to Black Tom - The Momtropolis This massive cache of unguarded weapons was an easy target for the Germans, who had already experimented with targeting American ships, factories, and piers. And after decades of debate, Germany agreed to pay reparations for the damage. Theme by ILoveWP.com. The rivets popped out of the right arm and the arm holding the torch was pushed up against the statues crown. "Black Tom is certainly not well known, even in the New York area," Jackson said. The Secret Service, by presidential order, was able to investigate some German attacks and intrigues. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Here's why you can't visit the Statue of Liberty's torch A dozen homes were destroyed and there were several injuries, though thankfully no casualties. What happened to the Statue of Liberty in 1916? - Heimduo Learn about the exhibit that inspired this site, If you would like to not see this alert again, please click the "Do not show me this again" check box below, The Statue of Liberty; Recovering debris at Black Tom; Damaged Black Tom Island pier, German saboteur Kurt Jahnke; German saboteur Lothar Witzke; Wanted poster for German saboteur Michael Kristoff, Storefront damage from the Black Tom Island blast; Black Tom Island explosion headline in, Diving for debris at Black Tom Island; Sorting recovered artillery shells; John J. McCloy of the Mixed Claims Commission, Benjamin Church: Surgeon, Son of Liberty, Spy, Thomas Hickey and the Plot Against George Washington, Edward Bancroft: A Man of Competing Loyalties, Benedict Arnold: A Name Synonymous with Treason, John Andr: Officer, Gentlemanand Spymaster, The Birth of American Counterintelligence, Union Espionage: From Patronage to Professionalism, Allan Pinkerton: Skilled Detective, Dubious Spymaster, Bureau of Military Information: The Trailblazers, Confederate Espionage: Spies, Scouts, & Sympathizers, Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow: A Spy Who Spared a General.
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