One of my favorite public art pieces in New York City is probably familiar to anyone who has ever waited in line for the Liberty Island Ferry. Located on the west side of Battery Park, the American Merchant Mariners’ Memorial is a haunting tribute to commercial seamen who lost their lives, for whatever reason, on the water.
The memorial, designed by artist Marisol, was based on a true event during World War II, in which a Nazi U-boat attacked an American merchant marine vessel. While the marines held on to their sinking vessel, the Nazis photographed the victims, then left. The memorial is directly inspired by one of those photographs.
As you can see above, two men are desperately crying for help while a third tries to pull a victim from the water. I can’t tell you how moving this is at high tide, when the water laps at the man.
There is an unbelievable desperation in the piece, as the man struggles, veins practically bursting out of his arm, to grab hold of the seaman above and salvation as the merciless ocean tries to drag him down.
It’s all the more disturbing when you read the final line of the memorial’s plaque: “Left to the perils of the sea, the survivors later perished.” Despite their valiant efforts, they were dead from the start.
-SCOUT
PS – If you’re just joining us on Scoutingny.com, think about subscribing to our RSS feed or Twitter account (if you haven’t already) for future updates!
I am an amateur photographer, however, that is not the reason that I write this comment to you. My father was a Merchant Marine during World War II. He spoke of times when German subs followed his ship in the waters near Russia. Your photograph made me think of my father and the wonderful
man–and father that he was.
Thank you !
Normally I find a vast majority of modern sculpture to be lacking in interest, but this is a good piece. Using the tide and location to benefit the piece like this is a great move.
sources please, what ship, which U-boat, why ‘Nazi U-boat”? Why not Kriegsmarine?
despite this sloppyness an interesting piece of artwork and rather powerful
Source: The NYC Parks Dept.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=9745
Great pictures and awesome story.
Gordon:
I’d imagine that he used the term Nazi U-Boat because a NAZI U boat sunk the ship. You sound as if you’re offended by the term Nazi. Are you?
I’ve been to NY a couple of times but I’ve never seen this before! I’ll put this in my must see list.
I think nazi u boat would suffice….leaving folks to die like that was a trait of the nazi’s…beside who else had u boats? we didn’t fight kriegsmarine, we fought the nazi’s, gordon. with a bit of effort I am sure you can track down the sources gordon, the nazi’s documented everything.
great pictures, thanks for sharing
Thanks for photos of this amazing piece of passive kinetic sculpture. Great photos, but, as always, even greater story.
Very moving piece… I was wondering, if anyone knew where I could find the original photograph that this was supposedly inspired by? Just curious. Anyways, one of the few very powerful sculptures I’ve seen in a long time.
My father was also a proud Merchant Marine during WW II….if he were alive I wish I could show him this photograph. Now I really miss my father. Thank you for sharing this site.
[Kicking Self] Arghh. I lived in or around NY for a couple of years and am amazed at all of the stuff that I missed. Thanks for bringing it back. Now to figure out what I’m missing in the Queen City of the West before I move on. Thanks for sharing your finds/treasures.
Thanks for posting this. I didn’t know about this memorial, but now I can’t wait to see it.
My dad was a Merchant Marine, as well–he signed up in June 1944, right out of high school (17 years old!!). He’s still around, and will turn 82 this June. My grandmother, God bless her, saved all his letters home. I recently shared them with the rest of my family. One of the stories he has told is about being in the North Sea, and picking up a sailor that had had three ships shot out from under him in the course of 24 hours. What brave boys they were–and they literally saved Western Civilization!!!
[...] to describe the American Merchant Mariners’ Memorial. Go read the words and view the pictures. Haunting doesn’t begin to describe. We must also add [...]
What a sad story, but such a neat and wonderful memorial. I would love to see it in person.
Ahhh, now this is something I have seen many times. I always show anyone I take to the Statue of Liberty/Battery Park this sculpture because it is just so evocative…
Scout,
this is an amazingly moving sculpture. The thoughts it provokes are extraordinary. good on you for taking the time to put it out there for the rest of us to see.
Thanks
Gordon: nah, can’t be bothered, it is spelled “Sloppiness” by the way.
Scout, keep it up.
FYI -
You’re completely missing the point of this installation if you’re focusing on the Nazi aspect. It’s supposed to be a timeless monument to merchant marines lost at sea for ANY reason, not a monument intended to remind us that, say, Germany is the root of all evil. To think that any country is above committing the atrocity described is naive, and the piece should be a reminder that what is in question is basic humanity.
Any comments continuing the Nazi debate will be deleted.
-SCOUT
[...] NY shot some truly haunting photos of the [...]
Okay Okay, I’ve got your game Scouty….lure me in with the cute cat piccy’s and I’m now hooked…You have a cracking eye, especially where you live. It’s hard to see the wonder in your own back garden. (I drive past Stonehenge everyday) Fantabulously enjoyable and interesting photo’s & info.
Thanks for sharing.
The story of the Merchant Marines during WWII can never have enough justice done to it. This statue is an amazing and emotional piece of art.
Thank you for sharing it.
[...] in the sun is a miniature. As Liz Lemon would say “I want to go to there.” * Yikes, a haunting sculpture in NYC. Double yikes with the classic creepiness to be found in Chernobyl pictures. * Take a deeper [...]
I wish I was the sculptor who made this work…… this is public sculpture at it’s very best .
Oh wow…love this…it reminds me of Venice’s “Monumento alla Partigiana”…great blog!
Well, this is a fantastic description, perhaps less becoming a scientist than a poet. ,
A very moving sculpture indeed! I have never been to New York. I am planning a trip shortly and this is a must on my trip. The sculpture represents, reminds and reinforces human values
[...] Lost At Sea [...]
crazy
That looks really interesting, but it is a little creepy too.
[...] awesome Scouting NY blog has more photos of the memorial: “two men are desperately crying for help while a third tries to pull a victim from the water. I [...]
very moving
When is the best time of the day to view this exhibit? When is it low tide? I would like to see as much of it as possible without the lower portion of the artwork being covered by water. Thanks!
I live in Lower Manhattan and walk this area a lot. I stumbled upon this a while back and had forgotten it until seeing this photo. Almost all the sculpture down in the “Battery” remembers World War I or II and being so near the sea, it really makes you grasp the horror both of naval battles and war. And, forgive me, but Hitler’s Nazi’s were the ones using U-Boats and sinking ships. Let’s not forget that. I’m a 9/11 survivor and I will remember who sent the planes (not all Muslims) but one man: Bin Laden and his thugs.
why are people still talking about the nazi’s? german soldiers were not nazi’s. the german naval forces were not nazi’s. german military was by rule independent of politics. soldiers were not supposed to be fighting for politics. the only exception was the SS, who were not part of the traditional military. german soldiers fought for germany, not the political party ruling their country. do our soldiers fight for the democrats or republicans? haven’t we killed people during war? this memorial is awesome, and bringing politics into the discussion seems to do its universal message no favors.