Commemorative plaque

1904-1910

Place madeUnited States, North America

Wood

Overall: 24 1/2 x 10 1/4 x 1 in. ( 62.2 x 26 x 2.5 cm )

Gift of Rev. Paul H. Wasmund

1955.47

In a letter written in 1955, Howard Zuckgraf, son of the maker, explained that a short time after the General Slocum disaster in 1904 his father discovered a piece of driftwood along the shore of Bayonne, in the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty, that he believed was part of one of the boat's side wheel boxes. He began to decorate the wood with an "old fashion gas type" burning iron, which burned out before the design was completed.

DescriptionHandcarved and decorated plaque made of wood from the steamer "General Slocum"; vertical form with elaborately shaped top and bottom; woodburned decoration with "IN / MEMORY OF VICTIMS / ST. LUKES / CHURCH" at top, image of the steamer surrounded by angels at center, and a cross and anchor at bottom.

Markingswoodburning: on obverse: "IN / MEMORY OF VICTIMS / ST. LUKES / CHURCH / ON / 1904 / JUNE 15th." woodburning: on reverse: "MENORY [sic] / main / LAR"

ClassificationsMARITIME TOOLS & EQUIPMENT