A peaceful evening turned into chaos in New York City on May 17 when the Mexican Navy’s iconic tall ship Cuauhtémoc crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, snapping its masts, injuring 19, and killing two people onboard.
The collision occurred around 8:20 p.m. ET, as the ship attempted to depart from Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan. According to Mayor Eric Adams, the vessel lost power and drifted backwards into the bridge, its towering masts smashing against the structure in a catastrophic impact caught on video by horrified bystanders.
The Moment of Impact
Footage shows the Cuauhtémoc moving rapidly in reverse, three massive masts striking the bridge one by one. Pedestrians along the Brooklyn waterfront were seen backing away and then fleeing in panic as debris rained down. At the time, all 277 crew members and cadets were aboard the ship, which serves as a floating naval academy and training vessel.
Officials confirmed that 19 were injured, two critically, and two others died from their injuries. Eyewitnesses described bloodcurdling screams, people falling from the rigging, and crew members dangling from broken masts.
“We were under the bridge, and all of a sudden the sails hit, it was chaos,” said Elijah West, who witnessed the scene. “People were screaming, running, sailors were falling. It was a shock.”
What Caused the Crash?
Initial reports from city officials blamed mechanical failure. The ship, which had just completed an open-ship visit welcoming NYC residents and tourists, reportedly lost control as it attempted to maneuver away from the pier.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation. Early indicators suggest a loss of steering or engine power caused the ship to veer off course, making the bridge collision unavoidable.
A Ship With Legacy
The Cuauhtémoc is a 90.5-meter-long and 12-meter-wide sail training ship, in service since 1982, used by the Mexican Navy to complete final sea training for cadets. Its 48.9-meter-high main mast is normally a point of pride, until it snapped against one of America’s most iconic structures.
The vessel had arrived in NYC on May 13 as part of a 254-day voyage, covering 22 ports in 15 countries. New York was among the first stops, and the ship was scheduled to leave for Europe next.
Traffic and Aftermath
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, typically sees over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily. Following the crash, traffic was temporarily suspended as structural engineers inspected the damage. By late night, traffic resumed safely.
The ship, now crippled, was towed by tugboats upriver to a safer docking point near Pier 35, just past the Manhattan Bridge.
Reaction from Officials
New York Mayor Eric Adams posted on X: “Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge… Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and the injured crew.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum echoed the sentiment, posting:
“Our solidarity and support go out to their families.”
The Mexican Consulate in NYC confirmed that the Cuauhtémoc had been open for tours until just a day before the accident and thanked New Yorkers for their warm welcome.
Key Takeaways:
- 2 dead, 19 injured in Cuauhtémoc ship crash at Brooklyn Bridge
- Mechanical failure suspected; NTSB investigating
- Sailors seen falling or dangling from snapped masts
- The bridge was briefly shut, but reopened after safety checks
- The ship was en route on a global cadet training tour
This tragic maritime disaster has not only stunned New York but also raised serious questions about vessel navigation safety in urban harbors. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and ensuring this kind of catastrophe never happens again.
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