Tragic Shipwrecks at Asbury Park Part Two: The Morro Castle
Channel: Monmouth County Historical Association
Date: 2023-12-02

Today, the Asbury Park boardwalk is a place of sun and fun; a colorful blend of beach umbrellas, world class music, fantastic food and unique shops. Most beachgoers are blissfully unaware of the horrors that filled this same beach centuries ago. Join us as we revisit the details of the two most infamous shipwrecks of the Jersey shore in this two-part presentation! The New Era and the Morro Castle both met their tragic ends in practically same spot, eighty years apart. Both wrecks were plagued with more than simple bad luck... conspiracy, greed and mystery were all major players in their historic stories. Part Two investigates the 1934 wreck of the Morro Castle, featuring Deb Whitcraft, Executive Director of the NJ Maritime Museum in Beach Haven and the foremost expert on this incredible story! Learn about the sudden, unexpected death of the captain, suspected arson, the Nor'easter that plagued the ship, and the unforgettable stories of those who survived...and didn't.