No phantasmagoria today, just the cold hard facts, or in this case . . . the wet, crumbling ones: exploring Binghamton felt like visiting a hospice. Hopes to see what remained in the engine room were dashed halfway down the companionway below the main deck. Nasty cafe au lait post-Irene river water, at least five feet of it at this point, barred the way. It didn’t seem a heathy or productive place to snorkel.
The southernmost wheelhouse–here with a view of a southbound Vane unit in front of Manhattan–is stripped and relegated to attic status.
In this section of the menu, I love the last sentence of the fifth paragraph: “She took the population of the eastern United States eight times around the world,” and she did so without leaving that section of the river between Barclay Street pier (now no more) and Hoboken. Fotos of Binghamton at work can be found in Railroad Ferries of the Hudson: and stories of a deckhand by Baxter and Adams, which I highly recommend.
The craziness of the internet where nothing dies is illustrated by this restaurant review of Binghamton. Wonder what would happen if you called that number to make a reservation.
I tried to take this foto so as to give the illusion of being on a vessel about to depart for Manhattan.
The wheelhouse at the north end is equally stripped although
the joinery–alluding to wooden wheel spoke days– dazzles. Imagine looking up at this in your workspace, sans paint chips of course. Let your fancy add braided cords leading to steam whistles.
Atop the wheelhouses are these lanterns, and
From the wheelhouses, here is the view of passenger and vehicle ingress and egress. I love the folding gates, and although I know they have a technical
name I’ve heard, I can’t recall it. (Note: thanks to Les, pantograph gates, they are.)
Shoreside south end of the the ferry shows greatest recent damage to the deck; in fact, as tide flooded, the river poured in here.
Like all crumblings and ruins, here is a depressing metaphor of mortality and transience. Oh to have a jolly drink here, a meal with trimmings and revelry, a time spent
in good company, a celebration that takes you to the heights.
On the floor of the main deck . . . lay this 3′ x 4′ foto of an unidentified happy couple from maybe not even that long ago who chose this vehicle to take them to “that other side . . ,” a foto soon to be obliterated by . . . the river and time.
All fotos by Will Van Dorp, who needs to get to work now to hold back melancholy.
8 comments
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October 5, 2011 at 9:19 am
Cliff Burns
Fantastic pics, which really give a strong sense of atmosphere. You’ve shown me a place I’ll never visit, and I’m grateful for the brief, instructive visit…
October 5, 2011 at 10:24 am
Les Sonnenmark
Pantograph gates?
October 5, 2011 at 7:13 pm
JED
So what’s the story? Those doors or booths look MORE than salvageable – she being cast off as a leper?
October 5, 2011 at 10:15 pm
tugster
jed–as i understand it, binghamton must be moved so that a certain developer can go forward with plans for the riverfront. the owner of the ferry had hoped until recently that he could find a buyer for the boat who would have it towed elsewhere. until irene gored binghamton, owner thought such a tow was feasible. irene was a game changer . . . she no longer floats. she’ll have to be demolished. if i were or knew a salvager who could save the wood, doors, stained glass windows, etc, i’d get busy. i’m sorry i never got there while it was still a restaurant. 10 or 15 years ago it must have been quite the classy joint.
October 6, 2011 at 5:36 am
Anonymous
WILL: What became of the ”faux paddle wheeler” barge thing up by the BINGHAMPTON? Seemed to be part of the restaurant complex.
Years ago there were three ferry boats along that stretch of Jersey waterfront …..JAMESTOWN as a landing stage/ticket office at Port Imperial, MISS NEW YORK sunk at dockside and BINGHAMPTON. MISS NEW YORK was removed quietly at some point…..JAMESTOWN sank but i have never found out what became of her. Now it looks like BINGHAMPTON is bound for steel heaven.Jeff S
October 7, 2011 at 5:52 pm
JED
Damn shame…
October 20, 2011 at 6:25 pm
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