What Is the ‘Cuauhtémoc?’ Mexican Navy Ship Crashed Into Brooklyn Bridge
May 18, 2025
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On Saturday, Mexican Navy ship ARM Cuauhtémoc collided with Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The crash caused all three of the ship’s tall masts to snap, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to at least 19 others, including several who are in critical condition.
Newsweek reached out to the New York Police Department (NYPD) via email on Saturday for comment.
The Context
As reported by Newsweek, the Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long sailing vessel first launched in 1982, is a ship used primarily for training Mexican naval cadets and typically makes international goodwill voyages to various ports.
The vessel was carrying an unconfirmed number of personnel when the accident occurred. The ship departed from Acapulco on April 6 with 277 people aboard for what was planned as a 254-day journey to 22 ports across 15 nations.
As reported by The Associated Press, the ship was seen on Saturday moving rapidly in reverse toward the Brooklyn side of the East River, heading straight for the bridge. As it continued its course, all three of its masts collided with the bridge’s span and snapped one after another.
A masted Mexican Navy training ship, the “Cuauhtémoc,” sits stranded after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday, May 17, 2025. A masted Mexican Navy training ship, the “Cuauhtémoc,” sits stranded after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday, May 17, 2025. AP Photo/Kyle Viterbo/Associated Press
What To Know
The Cuauhtémoc was built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1981 and originally called Celaya, according to Sail Training International, stating that the vessel was later acquired by the Mexican Navy as a training vessel for officers, cadets, petty officers, and sailors.
“Cuauhtémoc sailed the world for 13 years and in 1995 underwent a major refit of the ship and rigging. Cuauhtémoc has been the proud winner of the Tall Ships’ Races on two occasions,” states its website.
The ship is a three-masted barque measuring approximately 90.5 meters (297 feet) in length, with a beam of 12 meters (39.4 feet) and a height of nearly 45 meters (147 feet), according to Sail Training International.
Its expansive sail area covers about 2,368 square meters (25,500 square feet), according to reference site Military Factory. It is powered primarily by wind, though it also carries an auxiliary diesel engine capable of 1,125 horsepower output to one shaft, allowing speeds of up to 10 knots, and has served as a training ship for 27 cadet classes to date.
According to the Mexican Navy, the Cuauhtémoc, known colloquially as the “Knight of the Seas,” has participated in numerous international goodwill tours, visiting ports around the world.
“Since 1982, the Sailing School Ship Cuauhtémoc has sailed the world’s seas,” the navy said on its website, prior to the incident.
“Its keel has cut through the waves to carry the Mexican people’s message of peace and goodwill to countless nations, docking in hundreds of ports to serve as one of our nation’s most important ambassadors.
“On board, the cadets of the Mexican Navy have been trained in the most solid of seafaring traditions: one that relies on sails and ropes, that knows the skies and sets the course with a sextant, and, above all, is capable of creating a bond that unites sailors in the values of honor, duty, loyalty, and patriotism.”
The Cuauhtémoc was flying a large Mexican flag when the incident occurred.
What People Are Saying
Official account of the Mexican Navy on X, formerly Twitter: “During the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being. The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support.”
The account added: “The navy reaffirms its commitment to personnel safety, transparency in its operations, and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Navy.”
The Mexican Navy posted on its website prior to the incident. “The Cuauhtémoc has sailed enough nautical miles to circle the Earth around the Equator several times, and the more than 100 months it has spent at sea during its training cruises are a testament to its power.”
What Happens Next
Maritime investigators and local authorities will work to determine the exact cause of the collision, examining factors such as tide levels, weather conditions, and communication protocols between the vessel and harbor authorities.
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