Greenpoint’s USS Monitor trail marker stolen

October 5, 2016 From the Greenpoint Monitor Museum

Greenpoint’s USS Monitor Trail Marker has been stolen. Photos courtesy of the Greenpoint Monitor Museum

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Community historic memorials, markers, statuary, artwork as well as cemetery memorials across the country have been subject to vandalism and theft throughout history. Despite these attempts at destroying the pride of communities and the memories of families and heroes from the past, their memory lives on through the efforts of the nation’s communities and schools and through veteran, historic and patriotic organizations.

The Greenpoint Monitor Museum has reported that its USS Monitor Trail Marker, which was unveiled on the museum’s grounds in 2015, has recently been stolen.

On May 29, 2015, the Greenpoint, Williamsburg and New York City communities were honored when David Alberg, superintendent of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) USS Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, unveiled a USS Monitor Trail Marker on the grounds of the Greenpoint Monitor Museum in an effort to keep alive the memory of the USS Monitor and the ship’s crew; John Ericsson, the designer; and Thomas Fitch Rowland, the builder, and his workers.

Linking this land, which shares the launch site of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor, to other USS Monitor historic sites — including Hampton Roads, where the ship fought against the CSS Virginia (ex USS Merrimac) on March 9, 1862 — was NOAA’s goal.

The impressive unveiling ceremony included a New York City Fireboat Water Cannon Display, patriotic songs by P.S.110-the Monitor School’s chorus and a color guard, including Oliver Tilden Camp No. 26 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Company I 83rd NY State Infantry Sons of Veterans Reserve, and Cadets from the Kingspoint U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Community members and various organizations were in attendance, including students and teachers from P.S.110, P.S. 31 and M.S.126 John Ericsson School; Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna; state Assemblymember Joseph Lentol; City Councilmember Stephen Levin; New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Loree Sutton; and members of St. Stanislaus Memorial American Legion post No. 1771.

The Ceremony was followed by an all-day history fair at the nearby Brooklyn Expo Center.

On Sept.15, 2016, the engineering firm AECOM commenced site investigations on the land as part of the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund grant the museum was awarded to restore the land’s shoreline, raise it to assist in flood control efforts and provide community access to the beautiful site.

On this day, along with this exciting project start, came the discovery of the theft of the USS Monitor Trail Marker, which was last seen about a week before.