This monument is dedicated to the US Merchant Marine sailors who lost their lives during WWII. 1 in 26 never came home, a higher proportional loss than any of the armed services. About 8,300 mariners were killed at sea, 12,000 wounded of whom at least 1,100 died from their wounds, and 663 men and women were taken prisoner.
This monument was designed by the artist Marisol (1930-2016).
It is based on a photo taken by the Captain Reinhard Hardegen of U-123 after
sinking the SS Muskogee on March 22, 1942. After torpedoing the lone tanker,
the U-boat surfaced and took photos of the survivors, before diving and leaving
them adrift on a burning sea, never to be seen again.
Twice each day the tide “drowns” the sailor at the bottom. The
monument had a poignant plaque. There has been a lot of construction in the
area for flood control, to prevent the flooding downtown Manhattan experienced during
Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In the process, the plaque was removed. People line
up there for tickets to tour the Statue of Liberty. Perhaps they think it has
something to do with the Titanic.
My father and grandfather both sailed on Liberty ships during the war. Neither was sunk, though my grandfather did notice after a nighttime attack that the ship behind his in the convoy was gone the next morning. Born years after the war, I do not fancy U-boats.
I have written the Battery Conservancy asking for the plaque
to be replaced. If you are so moved, they can be emailed at the following link. info@thebattery.org
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