18-05-2025
Mexican ship that crashed into Brooklyn Bridge visited Tacoma during 2005 festival
The Mexican Navy sailing ship that crashed into New York City's Brooklyn Bridge Saturday, killing two crew members, visited Tacoma in 2005 during the city's Tall Ships Festival.
Former Tacoma mayor Bill Baarsma remembers the event.
'I was mayor at the time and visited the ship and met with the captain along with many other city dignitaries,' he wrote in an email to The News Tribune.
According to a New York Times report, 277 people were on board the Mexican barque, Cuauhtémoc, at the time of Saturday's crash. At least 22 people were injured, the report said. The crash was attributed to 'mechanical issues.'
Mexico's president confirmed the deaths of the crew members in a post on X. Their identities had not been released as of Sunday afternoon.
According to News Tribune archives, event organizers estimated that more than 1 million people turned out for the five-day festival, including about 175,000 for the final day of the event along the Thea Foss Waterway.
Cuauhtémoc, a Navy training vessel, ranked among the most popular attractions. At the time, The News Tribune interviewed Cesar Munez, an officer on the ship.
'The life of a seaman is difficult because you lose so many things,' said Munez, then 29. 'I can't see my family and friends. Sometimes it feels very lonely.'
