More Gay-Related Titanic Trivia

For the past 25 years, NYC's gay pride celebration has been capped off by a massive outdoor dance party on Pier 54, where thousands and thousands of LGBT folks cheer the spectacular fireworks display over the Hudson as the party ends. But Pier 54's history is decidedly less celebratory.

Pier 54 is perhaps best known for its associations with the Titantic and RMS Lusitania. In April 1912, the RMS Carpathia, after picking up 705 survivors of the sunk Titanic, returned to Pier 54 to discharge. On May 1, 1915, the RMS Lusitania embarked from Pier 54 before being torpedoed by a German submarine. The ship sank in 18 minutes just eight miles off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people on board and becoming the rallying cry for American involvement in World War I, and turning public opinion against Germany in their war with Great Britain.

This will be the 26th and final year for the gay pride party as the city will be demolishing the pier rather than attempt expensive repairs. And with the Pier Dance goes a little bit more the Titanic's history.

PHOTO 1: The Carpathia arrives at Pier 54.
PHOTO 2: Pier Dance 2011.