Remember the ill-fated voyage of the Lusitania? Here we stand before what remains of Pier 54 Entry Arch. It was once the Cunard Line’s primary docking facility. It is located at the foot of 14th Street. The Cunard White Star Line Pier 54 Entry Arch marked a place of great activity. It was near the West Side Highway.
Pier 54 was one of many piers lining Manhattan’s lower west side. They stretched along the Hudson River. The Cunard Line used Pier 54. The White Star liners also used it. The pier was vital for major Atlantic liners. These were from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
In 1907 when the Lusitania made its first voyage. Only a simple slab existed for docking. A proper docking facility was needed quickly. New York City began building new piers. They were designed to handle the growing size of the Atlantic liners.
Warren and Wetmore designed the new pier buildings. This architectural firm also designed Grand Central Terminal. Each pier had a similar structure. They enclosed a large space. The space protected passengers from the weather. The arched roof at each pier’s face was pleasant. These piers helped New York stay current with the finest ocean liners.
Many historic events happened at Pier 54. In 1912 the Carpathia landed here. It carried 712 survivors of the Titanic. Three years later the Lusitania departed from this pier. It was its last voyage. A newsreel crew filmed the departure. They captured passengers arriving and unloading luggage. They filmed from the pier’s roof. This film provides a unique historical perspective.
Pier 54 suffered a devastating fire on May 6, 1932. The fire started in rubbish under the pier. A watchman tried to extinguish it but failed. The fire quickly spread. About 700 firefighters battled the blaze. They fought for hours. They could not save Pier 54. The pier was valued at $2,000,000. Cargo worth over $100,000 was also lost. They focused on preventing the fire from spreading.
One person died and many firefighters were injured. A nearby building was destroyed. The fire threatened piers to the north and south. That evening the burned wreckage of Pier 54 collapsed into the Hudson.
The Cunard Line needed new docking facilities. Pier 54 was rebuilt completely. It looked almost identical to the original.
Pier 54 remained in use until Cunard moved its terminus upriver. Over time Pier 54 fell into disrepair. The pier to the north was demolished. Only wooden piles remained. Eventually the Pier 54 building was removed. Only the front frame was left.
In early 2015 the pier was completely demolished. Plans moved forward for a new waterfront park.
Today only the steel archway remains. Look closely. You can still see faded lettering. It spells out “Cunard Line” and “Cunard White Star Line”. This arch stands as a reminder. It connects us to a time of grand ocean liners. It also reminds us of tragic events. The Cunard White Star Line Pier 54 Entry Arch is a poignant monument to maritime history.