Mexican Navy Ship Crash Brooklyn Bridge

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On a calm Friday afternoon, March 8, 1935, New Yorkers witnessed an unusual sight: a Mexican Navy transport ship, the ARM Benito Juárez (T-11), colliding with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The incident, while not causing significant structural damage, became a minor footnote in the bridge’s history, highlighting the challenges of navigating the busy waterways surrounding the city.

The Benito Juárez, a relatively small vessel, was en route to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. The ship, likely carrying a limited crew, was navigating the East River when disaster struck. Accounts vary, but the prevailing explanation suggests a combination of factors led to the accident. Some reports point to a possible steering malfunction, while others suggest strong currents or misjudgment of the ship’s position in relation to the bridge’s towering towers.

Whatever the precise cause, the ship collided with one of the bridge’s massive stone anchorages, the structures that secure the bridge’s suspension cables. The impact, although forceful enough to garner immediate attention, was absorbed by the sturdy granite of the anchorage. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud grinding noise as the ship scraped along the stone. Fortunately, the primary suspension cables, which are critical to the bridge’s structural integrity, were untouched.

News of the collision spread quickly, attracting crowds of onlookers who gathered along the waterfront to observe the situation. Tugboats were dispatched to assist the damaged ship, eventually guiding it safely away from the bridge and toward the Navy Yard for repairs. The Benito Juárez reportedly sustained damage to its hull, but details regarding the extent of the damage remain scarce.

Following the incident, a brief investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the collision. While the official findings are not widely available, it is believed that negligence or a combination of unforeseen circumstances were identified as contributing factors. No serious injuries were reported among the crew of the Benito Juárez or individuals on the bridge at the time of the accident.

The Brooklyn Bridge, a symbol of American engineering and resilience, emerged largely unscathed from the encounter. The incident served as a reminder of the potential dangers present in the bustling maritime environment surrounding New York City. While the collision of the ARM Benito Juárez did not result in any significant or lasting impact to the bridge, it remains a curious and somewhat forgotten episode in the bridge’s long and storied history.