SUTTON Travels: New York City

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11 September 2020

9/11 Museum and Memorial New York City

9/11Remembering those who lost their lives.

The 9/11 Museum and Memorial, New York City

Visiting the 9/11 memorial is a somber occasion. That tragic morning is etched in our memories. We'll not forget that day.

At 8:46:40, the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 flew into the upper portion of the North Tower, cutting through floors 93 to 99. Hundreds of civilians were killed instantly by the impact. Hundreds more remained alive but trapped.

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A jet fuel fireball erupted upon impact and shot down at least one bank of elevators. The fireball exploded onto numerous lower floors, including the 77th and 22nd; the West Street lobby level; and the B4 level, four stories below ground. The burning jet fuel immediately created thick, black smoke that enveloped the upper floors and roof of the North Tower. The roof of the South Tower was also engulfed in smoke because of prevailing light winds from the northwest.*

Hundreds of civilians trapped on or above the 92nd floor gathered in large and small groups, primarily between the 103rd and 106th floors. A large group was reported on the 92nd floor, technically below the impact but unable to descend. Civilians were also trapped in elevators. Other civilians below the impact zone—mostly on floors in the 70s and 80s, but also on at least the 47th and 22nd floors—were either trapped or waiting for assistance.*

Stairway inside 9/11 Museum, NYC

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The 9/11 museum at the World Trade Center in New York City contains artefacts, stories and media of that fateful day when 2,606 people died in and nearby the World Trade Center. Altogether, the attacks that killed 2,977 people and injured another 6,000.

CBS News The Towers are hit

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The FDNY response began within five seconds of the crash. By 9:00,many senior FDNY leaders, including 7 of the 11 most highly ranked chiefs in the department, as well as the Commissioner and many of his deputies and assistants, had begun responding from headquarters in Brooklyn. While enroute over the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chief of Department and the Chief of Operations had a clear view of the situation on the upper floors of the North Tower. They determined that because of the fire’s magnitude and location near the top of the building, their mission would be primarily one of rescue. They called for a fifth alarm, which would bring additional engine and ladder companies, as well as for two more elite rescue units. The Chief of Department arrived at about 9:00; general FDNY Incident Command was transferred to his location on the West Side Highway. In all, 22 of the 32 senior chiefs and commissioners arrived at the WTC before 10:00.50*
As of 9:00, the units that were dispatched (including senior chiefs responding to headquarters) included approximately 235 firefighters. These units consisted of 21 engine companies, nine ladder companies, four of the department’s elite rescue teams, the department’s single Hazmat team, two of the city’s elite squad companies, and support staff. In addition, at 8:53 nine Brooklyn units were staged on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to await possible dispatch orders.*

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Following are some of my pictures inside the museum from our visit in 2016.

Our National 9/11 Flag

Below, a piper plays beside one of the tower structures.

Posted on YouTube/ SuttonTravels 2016

The Piper

From the 9/11 Museum, NYC

Memorial Outside the 9/11 Museum NYC

For more information on visiting the center and online education, see https://www.911memorial.org/

One World Trade Center, New York

Books: Religion, Psychology, and 9/11

Kimball, C. (2008). When religion becomes evil: Five warning signs. New York: HarperCollins.

Seeley, K.M. (2008). Therapy after terror: 9/11, psychotherapists, and mental health. New York: Cambridge University Press. On AMAZON

Reference for quoted text

*The 9/11 commission report: Final report of the national commission on terrorist attacks upon the United States (2004). U.S. Government Printing Office. 0160723043

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Google Map of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC

05 July 2020

Ellis Island New York City

Ellis Island 2006/ G Sutton

Ellis Island is a separate island near the liberty island, home of the Statue of Liberty. Between 1892 and 1954, some 12 million immigrants entered the US here.

Today it is a museum operated by the Us National Park Service.

In line at Ellis Island 2006 G Sutton

I was surprised as I was wandering about the halls. One area displayed photos of ships that brought people to the new world. There was a photo of my boat, HMS Franconia-an old Cunard liner. I did not pass through Ellis Island as it was closed when we came to the US.

Did you or your family come to the US some years ago? If so, you may be able to find their name. I entered my name into their passenger search and sure enough, there it was. I was surprised by the number of people with the same name but I was the only one for the year and ship.

If you register, you can see your record. There is no charge unless you want a fancy certificate for $29 (July 2020 fee). The photo was an old black and white so, not as good as the colour post card I still have. However, it looks like a mistake! They say the ship was sunk by a German U-boat in 1916--many years before I was born. What the archivists did not do is check to see that there was more than one Franconia so, a good reason not to buy their photo. And a good lesson to be a bit skeptical about the "facts" in historical records from any age.

I searched a few other records and found my parents and my aunt who married an American soldier and came to the US on the Queen Mary in 1946. Apparently, when she and her family came to see us in London in 1954, they came on the Queen Elizabeth.

I keep my family search information on Family Tree Maker (UK version), but there are other products available. Family Software

And it is free to use familysearch.org

Visiting Notes

Link to planning a visit https://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

It is free to enter the museum, but there is a cost for the ferry by Statue Cruises.

The museum is open most days but check for exceptions.

Accessibility information https://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvisit/accessibility-update.htm

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You can take guided tours and search old records here.

04 July 2020

Statue of Liberty New York City

2006 Liberty G Sutton

I come back to the Statue of Liberty once in awhile. Like other immigrants from Europe, Lady Liberty is one of the first things we see. The above photo was from a visit with my son and daughter-in-law in 2006.

In 2016, my wife and I completed a "re-enactment" cruise. We visited my family in England then returned to the US on the Queen Mary II. The following photo is from our early morning arrival into New York Harbor.

The statue is on Liberty Island, not to be confused with nearby Ellis Island.

2016 Liberty by G Sutton

The torch is amazing. I hope it always shines brightly for immigrants. The original torch was removed in 1984 and is in the lobby.

BTW, the tablet in her hand has the date of American Independence July 4, 1976, but in Roman Numerals so, IV, MDCCLXXVI)

Liberty torch 2006 G Sutton

It was hard to get a great close-up on a misty day, but here is what I have.

Liberty Close up 2006 Sutton

About the Statue

"The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924. Employees of the National Park Service have been caring for the colossal copper statue since 1933." (NPS Link)

The statue is made of copper- about the thickness of 2 US cents.

The green color comes from oxidized copper.

It is 305 feet and 1 inch tall- ground to flame tip

The torch has been closed since July 30 1916 but the crown can be visited via a spiral staircase.

Travel Notes
Check the website for current information:
https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

In 2020, visitors arrive by Statue Cruises ferry and hours are 9:30 to 3:30.
Currently, the statue is closed due to Covid-19

There is no fee to enter the statue but you have to buy a ferry ticket.
Advanced reservations are needed to visit the crown and the pedestal.
You could bring or purchase food and drink- check the website for the latest.

See the website for accessibility information.

11 September 2019

One World Trade Center New York City

One World Trade Center NYC / G Sutton 2016

One World Trade Center, or Freedom Tower, stands tall amidst other edifices on the World Trade Center site.

The building's spire was completed 10 May 2013. And it is the tallest building in the United States.

The One World Trade Center height of 1776 feet reminds Americans when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

NYC Skyline / G Sutton 7 May 2016

The original World Trade Center buildings were on the site from 1970 to 2001. We will never forget 9/11, 11 September 2001 when 2,996 people were murdered by terrorists using airplanes as weapons, which crashed into the North Tower (8:46 am) and the South Tower (9:59 am).

Related Posts

9/11 Museum, New York City

Flight UA 93, 9/11 Memorial, Pennsylvania

My website www.suttong.com

06 October 2016

American Museum of Natural History NYC

Filled with quality crafted dioramas, the American Museum of Natural History brings nature's wonders into the city.

We arrived in NYC 5 September 2016. Due to storm Hermine, we arrived a day early with no plans. We were required to disembark for passport control so we decided to take in a museum. It was a pleasant day so we decided to walk the approximately 2.5 miles from Pier 90 on the Hudson (near 50th St) angling east and north past Fordham University and the Met to the Museum, which is on the West side of Central Park at 79th Street.

I've visited the American Museum of Natural History a few times since my childhood but it had been several years. The dioramas and audio-video presentations reveal considerable improvements.