Story of the "General Slocum," the New York excursion steamer which burned on June 15, 1904 with fatalities rivalling those of the "Titanic" and "Lusitania." She started up the East River from her pier at Third St. Manhattan in glorious weather with children shouting and a band playing. Within an hour or so, she was a smoldering wreck with rescuers struggling to save the few they could. Here is the whole report of tragedy, heroism, and guilt. Over 40 pages of startling and heart-rending contemporary pictures Also covered are other fires including that of Chicago's Iroquois Theatre. Expanded reproduction of the rare original volume.