SS Morro Castle was an American ocean liner that caught fire and ran aground on the morning of September 8, 1934, en route from Havana, Cuba, to New York, United States, with the loss of 137 passengers and crew. The cause of the fire was never established, though an overheated funnel and certain points of cabin design and electrical circuitry were noted. A theory of arson by a crew member has attracted support over the years, but with no evidence. The high casualties are chiefly blamed on the crew's incompetent handling of the emergency.