Flag
Photo credit: David E. Starke
Accession Number: C.2024.6.1
Dimensions: 14.25 in X 7 in X 1 in
Dimensions (Metric): 36.195 cm X 17.78 cm X 2.54 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 36.195 cm X 17.78 cm X 2.54 cm
Source: Richard Thornton
Credit Line: Gift of Richard Thornton
Description
Folded American flag. The flag is faded, stained, and dirty.
Folded American flag. The flag is faded, stained, and dirty.
Historical Notes
This American flag was flown atop the Henry Hudson, a NY Waterway ferry boat captained by Richard Thornton on the morning of September 11, 2001. The Henry Hudson was used to evacuate thousands of civilians shortly after the attacks began and following the sequential collapses of the Twin Towers. Thornton ultimately made twenty trips between lower Manhattan and various piers in New Jersey, where his passengers disembarked. At the end of the day, he decided to remove and retain the battered American flag flying from the vessel’s mast as a memento of his experience.
This American flag was flown atop the Henry Hudson, a NY Waterway ferry boat captained by Richard Thornton on the morning of September 11, 2001. The Henry Hudson was used to evacuate thousands of civilians shortly after the attacks began and following the sequential collapses of the Twin Towers. Thornton ultimately made twenty trips between lower Manhattan and various piers in New Jersey, where his passengers disembarked. At the end of the day, he decided to remove and retain the battered American flag flying from the vessel’s mast as a memento of his experience.
