Charybdis (pronounced: Car bid iss ) Playground;
Guardian of the straight of Messina, or Hell Gate 😉
Another Mythological reference; Charybdis was a sea monster - whirlpool that sat at the entrance to the straight of Messina opposite her was Scylla another sea monster or group of rocks that made navigating the straights treacherous. Each side was within bow shot of the other. Sailors attempting to avoid one would be within reach of the other. To be “between Charybdis and Scylla was to be between a rock and a hard place, no good choice.
Charybdis was the daughter of Poseidon who was turned into a sea monster for supporting her father during an argument with Zeus. Odysseus chose Scylla’s side when sailing the straight because it was less lethal.
The park was built in 1936 the same time Astoria pool was built under commissioner Robert Moses and named Astoria park lower playground. It was renamed Charybdis by Parks commissioner Henry Stern in 1997. Commissioner Stern also renamed the point across the water on Randalls island as Scylla point to compliment Charybdis.
Hell gate had a tragic reputation similar to Messina. Hundreds of ships have sunk in its deep churning waters. In 1780 the frigate Hussar crashed and sank taking with it 5-500 million worth ( 1985 estimates ) in back pay to its British soldiers. The coin has never been recovered. The most tragic sinking was the General Slocum on June 15th 1901. It was carrying 1,342 German Lutherans to an annual picnic when it caught fire and ran aground. 1,021 passengers perished.
Charybdis makes a cameo in Percy Jackson’s Sea of Monsters