Black Tom Explosion: Why the Statue of Liberty’s Torch Has Been Closed for Over a Century

The torch of the Statue of LibertyStatue of LibertyThe 1886 copper colossus on Liberty Island, reachable only by the official Statue City Cruises ferry from Battery Park. has been off-limits to visitors since July 30, 1916. That day, German saboteurs destroyed the Black Tom munitions depot in New York Harbor, killing several people and damaging the statue’s torch arm with shrapnel and shock wave. No public climb has happened since.

The 1916 Attack That Closed the Torch

On July 30, 1916, German saboteurs blew up the Black Tom munitions depot in New York Harbor. The goal was to stop supplies from reaching Britain and France during World War I. The blast killed several people and shattered windows across Manhattan. Shrapnel and the shock wave also damaged the torch arm of the Statue of Liberty. Until that day, visitors could climb a narrow ladder inside the arm to a tiny 360-degree platform in the torch. That climb has not been open to the public for more than a century.

Why the Torch Stayed Off-Limits

The damage was not cosmetic. The torch arm was compromised, and access to the torch was closed. Over time, the original torch was removed and replaced, the original is now displayed in the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island. The National Park Service manages the statue and its grounds, while Statue City Cruises operates the official ferry. The Black Tom explosion is often overshadowed by later events, which is why many visitors learn about the torch closure only after arriving. The statue remains open to the public, but the torch itself does not.

What You Can Climb Instead

The torch is still off-limits, but the statue offers other access. General ferry tickets include Liberty Island grounds and the museum. Pedestal access and Crown access require separate reservations and are limited. The Crown is reached by a narrow spiral staircase, not the old torch ladder. From the pedestal overlook and the island’s perimeter walkway, the torch is visible above. A helicopter tour can provide an aerial view of the harbor and the statue, but it does not land on Liberty Island. For a ground-level day, pair the ferry with a walk through Lower Manhattan, including Wall Street, before or after the crossing.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Seeing the Torch

Ferries depart from Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The first morning departures usually have the smallest crowds, times vary by season, so check the official operator’s schedule. All visitors pass through security screening, and large bags are restricted. Reserve Crown or pedestal tickets through the official Statue City Cruises or National Park Service pages well in advance, especially in summer. For the best view of the torch, stand on the perimeter walkway near the flagpole or look up from the pedestal overlook. The gold-leaf flame is visible from the ferry and from the island, even though no one can climb inside it.

A guided Statue of Liberty and Ellis IslandEllis IslandThe immigration station where 12 million people entered America, now a museum included on the Statue of Liberty ferry. tour, with ferry access and a live guide, connects the 1916 sabotage story with the harbor’s immigration history, check traveler reviews on the activity page. Prices for similar guided tours often start from $45 (estimated), while official ferry access alone is cheaper. The essential step is booking the official ferry and any interior access in advance, then giving the island at least half a day.

More on the place itself: statue of liberty.