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So after work today, I went looking for evidence that New Yorkers celebrate mardi gras. I saw this instead . . . seal?
Not! Unless seals these days carry flashlights and trail markers and have a support
vessels like Linda Ann, herself supported by W. O. Decker and Peking.
Here is one of a series of six posts I did five years ago about Peking, which moved across the bay that day. And half a year back, here‘s a post I did about W. O. Decker and Helen McAllister‘s last waltz. And Wavertree . . . I regret that in my dozen years wandering the sixth boro, Wavertree has not ONCE left the dock. I know some of you must have fotos . . . and good memories of her moves, but I have none.
BUT . . . click here for a mystery vessel with three masts square-rigged in a foto I was given some years back. Anyone want to take a stab at identifying it? The conclusion a few years back is that the foto is “‘shopped,” although it was done some years ago.
My guess is that someone was inspecting Wavertree‘s wet side.
Later I thought I saw a mermaid . . . but I struck out again.
And for the record, after 1700 hr on the E train I finally saw some mardi gras beads . . . worn by a couple going to a party. I had to ask.
All fotos today by Will Van Dorp.
Since I woke up this May morning from a dream about attending a meditation session, the logical choice is to start my day writing a post that reflects upon–well–preservation. Two weeks ago I wrote about the Alwyn Vincent project. To quote the site, “she’s finally out,” and on the steel wheels ‘n rails of a synchrolift.
She was getting her “haircut and a shave” even before she stopped moving. When all logistical arrangements converge, the late 1950s tug will travel over-the-road 60 or so miles to its new life, as a functioning steam tug on a freshwater reservoir.
To support the self-described ’Bunch of Crazy Farmers’ (personified by Andy, in orange below) who now own the tug, the Alwyn website says they “selling space for banners of about 1 metre square, at R5 000 ($US 639.30). The advertisements are mostly in connection with agricultural products and services, partly because everybody knows who are responsible for saving this historic vessel! Partly also, it’s because those are the firms we know, support and can ask!”
I suppose they’d accept US sponsors as well; book your space on the hull! Contact Elma on dvijoeningwerke@telkomsa.net
Which brings me to South Street Seaport, and this sight that greeted me two days ago. After at least 20 years of deterioration, work is happening.
Spongy wood was being removed, and
I got my first ever look inside, after 10 years of wondering . . . .
Jim and Glen peeled away tired materials from the 1980s.
Installed inside the windows years ago was this captioning that
told some of the story. A sister vessel–New York Central #16–was saved only to end tragically at the Bourne Bridge rotary in Massachusetts, just six years ago.
The late Don Sutherland told of spending the last night aboard #16 . . . I wish I’d recorded his telling that story. I have recorded Norman Brouwer telling the story of buying this pierside house from #16 from the late John J. Witte, and I hope to share details of that project soon.
Not everything can be preserved . . . On Friday I caught Cheyenne –a current Witte (officially DonJon Marine) tug–heading from the East River into the Upper Bay pushing a load of (I believe) fine scrap, chopped up pieces bound for recycling. Just a week ago, Cheyenne was pushing some preserved vintage jets.
Some valuable artifacts might not be saved much longer unless dreams convert into reality and $$; others like Liemba and Yavari seem to live way beyond their expected lifespans in spite of their being out of the spotlight.
Which brings up this part of a dream: Partners in Preservation is dangling cash $US 3 million, and . . .<<<Tug Pegasus (1907) and Waterfront Museum Barge aka Lehigh Valley 79 (1914) have teamed up in a grant application for $$ for preservation work each vessel needs. As a component of the decision-making about who gets the $$, Partners in Preservation have a “socialmedia-meter” running from now until May 21. To help Pegasus and Lehigh Valley 79 register high on this “meter,” you can do two things from wherever on the planet you may be: 1) befriend them on Facebook and get dozens of your friends to befriend them as well, and 2) vote DAILY here. DAILY! Seems like a crazy way to run an election, but . . . that’s social media and in this case, the cause is worthy.>>>
And later this afternoon–1300–1700h I’ll be down on Pier 25 minding the plank between 79 and Pegasus, as part of Partners in Preservation “open house” weekend.
Thanks to Colin Syndercombe for the Cape Town fotos; all others by Will Van Dorp.
Sort of related, here’s a “tale of two projects” post from about a year ago.
A year ago I was pessimistic and wrote a bleak post and made this offer. I have now officially passed some benjamins. Last Saturday I went back to the South Street Seaport Museum and the new life excited me. First, there’s this new blog, which I hope continues. My friend John Watson, volunteer at the museum for decades and frequent contributor on tugster, has been responsible for many of the fotos.
Then, of course, volunteer spirit at SSSM has been irrepressible. On Saturday February 18, over two dozen volunteers doing winter maintenance worked on or in four of the vessels at least. A year of idleness has allowed rust to invade everywhere, rust that needs to be busted.
Hammers, chains, power grinders . . . whatever would combine with sweat to prep for rust inhibitor and ultimately new paint was pressed into service. I even set down my camera a few hours and assaulted some areas of rust, just because I enjoyed it.
Leaks were stopped, even if only with temporary fixes for now.
Hatches were sanded and painted.
It’s no simple cliche that rust never sleeps, and big projects like Wavertree require huge infusions of cash and effort to hold off the ravages of time. But the spirit of volunteerism is also indispensible.
This googlemap view shows where all the current museum vessels used to park. Can you name them all? Some may still go to better places.
Ambrose and Lettie G. Howard often docked in the open space here; they are off-site for repair and refurbishing before they return.
What really impressed me was inside Schermerhorn Row. Floor 3 has “Super Models,” ship replicas from the collection, smartly displayed.
It also has “Bottled Up,” miniature vessels in glass. And if you want to see how ships navigate the bottleneck, you can find a display on that too.
Contemporary hand tools are used rust-busting the ships outside, but Floor 4 has “Hand Held Devices,” an installation of scores of historic hand tools, some of
which you might not recognize, but
then there’s an interactive display that can
help with that too.
Floor 5 has “Coffee, Tea, Fish, and the Tattooed Man,” all
tributes to trades that once transacted just outside the building on the docks.
On the way back down, stop again on Floor 3 for a set of Edward Burtynsky‘s stunning fotos of shipbreaking in Bangladesh.
But don’t take my word for any of this. There’s more than I describe here. And more to come . . . like the re-opening of some form of research library . . . . Become a member. Come and visit. Stop by and bust rust. The barge name here describes what’s happening at the Museum.
South Street Seaport is once again
alive! My fotos don’t really do it justice. Bravo to all who made this happen.
“Ghost gallery” returns to scenes from several years back with fotos I’ve not used, at least not in this version. Take Peking‘s last move . . . the whole harbor exudes gravity on a cold mid-January afternoon as McAllister
tugs Elizabeth and Responder assist in slipping her back into hibernation (a terminal coma?) beside Pier 16. Compare the colors here with those in Rick’s post about this other Blohm + Voss vessel.
Some years back I went to a BWAC show in the old warehouse, but the only image left in my head from that day intruded from beyond the window . . . this dome
now gone to leave nothing but a trestle leading to a scar.
Brian A. McAllister . . . where does it now operate?
Time to bring back some color, like the
“Gardens in Transit” decals that covered many moving objects–including ex-LT-2089– in NY some years back.
Last shot here . . . Cosette used to transport the used cars out of New York, a task now performed by Grey Shark and others. Cosette once occupied the niche of Danalith in Narragansett Bay. I wonder two things: where is Cosette today and what great Bolivian port of registry did/does she wear on her stern . . . Potosi? Salar de Uyuni?
All fotos from the archives of Will Van Dorp. Got any good fotos to share from your sixth boro archives? I’d love to see them.
Uh . . . I miscalculated and got no new fotos of cutter Eagle today, but John Watson made a smart choice
and got these . . . . Bravo, John! Check out this Eagle/Horst Wessel crew reunion blog. And thanks to PortSide NewYork, this info on visiting hours this weekend aboard Eagle at Pier 7 Brooklyn Marine Terminal . . . Today . .. . 2 — 5 pm, Saturday . . . 1–7pm, and Sunday . . . 10 am–7 pm.
1) . . . Name the four sister training barques. Answer follows.
Still, serendipity gave me other fotos for another day. Instead, enjoy a few more Eagle I took yesterday . . . sans ceremonial escort boats and with some facts about the vessel.
2. In launch order among the five “siblings”, where does Eagle find itself? By the way, I can’t identify the cruise ship in the distance.
3. When did Eagle (ex-Horst Wessel) enter US hands and who crewed it to the US? Note the anchor ball just above a member of the crew.
4. How many aircraft has this vessel downed in its career and of what air force(s)?
5. What year was the orange “racing stripe” added?
6. How many of the sister vessels have NEVER visited the sixth boro?
1. Gorch Fock (1933 ex-Tovarishch), Sagres III (1937) , Mircea (1938), and Gorch Fock II (1958). Eagle is second . . . built in seven months and commissioned in September 1936.
2. Eagle was built in 1936, placing it as second oldest.
3. It was transferred to US ownership in May 1946 and sailed to the US in June of the same year by a joint German/American crew. Point of entry to the US and disembarkation of the German members of the crew happened at Camp Shanks, more or less across from Yonkers. Does anyone know of fotos of Eagle headed up or down the Hudson in 1946?
4. It downed three Soviet planes and one German “friendly.”
5. Racing stripe was added in 1976.
6. I don’t know which–if any–of the Blohm + Voss training barques have NEVER visited New York harbor.
The two fotos below show a plaque in what used to be Camp Shanks. Vessel in the distance below is Wanderbird, also
a repurposed vessel from Western Europe.
All fotos by Will Van Dorp, who took these fotos of Eagle five years ago. Thanks a bundle for the fotos from this morning, John.
Finally, the other Blohm + Voss vessel in New York harbor is Peking, languishing in South Street Seaport limbo. Peking is 377′ loa x 46 beam’ x 16′ draft; compared with Eagle‘s 295′ x 31′ x 17.’
Click here to read the reminiscences of Emil Babich, who crewed aboard Eagle in June 1946 for Eagle’s FIRST arrival in the Hudson on its way to Camp Shanks.
Either this foto is science fiction, fotos of Eagle –which arrives on August 5 appearing on this blog already on August 4– or
this is a rehearsal, including crew in the rigging and
vessel lining up for fotos shoots-future, a real 75-year-old barque
doing dances with a 25-year-old replica, getting ready for
the official entry into the Upper Bay tomorrow.
Actually, I’d prefer you believe the sci-fi explanation, a narrative that allows me to believe these vessels (Peking, for example, was built at Blohm + Voss as was Eagle … ex-Horst Wessel …) are heartsick to be bound, gagged, and held hostage at these piers . . . rather than sailing and sallying forth to join the celebration.
All fotos by Will Van Dorp. If you are anywhere near the Narrows tomorrow morning, watch reality catch up with sci-fi and witness Eagle sail her way (if there’s wind) up to the Statue.
Quick post . . . when will Janice Ann Reinauer and the other emigrants load onto Blue Marlin?
Peking‘s 100th birthday aka launch date has NOT officially been mentioned by South Street Seaport Museum . . . her guardian . . . but then again, nothing else has been discussed in detail by this secretive disorganization. A good dozen folks spoke on behalf of saving the museum at last night’s Community Board 1 meeting.
Thanks much to Justin Nash for this foto of the horns of Brangus; she worked in NYC waters for Great Lakes Dock and Dredge two years ago, but I’ve never seen a foto of the horns of this mighty vessel . . . til now, and maybe neither have you. Tugboats used to regularly sport eagles atop the house.
And finally, for now, Hocking came through the KVK recently with what appeared to be loosely attached outriggers.
All fotos by Will Van Dorp.
Finally, three people asked yesterday whether I had “coined” the now-ubiquitous term “sixth boro” to refer to the waters that unite the other five boros of New York City and its Jersey neighbors. The answer is–for that usage–YES, loud and clear. And I’m thrilled that so many folks have adopted the term.
See fotos from the Save our Seaport rally here and here. Below, with Peking and Helen McAllister as backdrop of “hostage” vessels , South Street Seaport founder and first president Peter Sanford speaks of the Museum’s past AND future, while
supporters listen and cheer. Ships . . . present. Supporters . . . present and spirited. Current management . . . er . . . absent!!??
Well then, some new lyrics to “Leave her Johnny,” a traditional sea shanty melody . . . click here if you don’t know the tune.
“Oh the times were hard and donations slow
Leave us, Frankie, leave us
But it’s no excuse for the ships to go
And it’s time for you to leave us.
Chorus:
Leave us, Frankie, leave us
Oh, leave us, Mary, leave us,
For the ships must stay and you must go
And it’s time for you to leave us.
Chorus
So we’ll sand and paint through snow and rain
Leave us, Frankie, leave us
And sail our tug and schooners again
And it’s time for you to leave us.
Chorus
Scrimshaw models print shop too
Leave us, Frankie, leave us
Should all be out on public view
And it’s time for you to leave us
Chorus
Long hours, hard work, and nopay
Leave us, Frankie, leave us
The volunteers do more than play
And it’s time for you to leave us
Chorus
Fotos by Will Van Dorp, who previously posted our the Seaport struggle here and here.
Meanwhile and unrelated, an update on Blue Marlin . . . as of late afternoon, Blue Marlin had still not “sunk,” and the tug starboard aft is Vulcan III, no doubt assisting with preparations to receive the cargo.
Just a quick update: I’ve heard from 11 people–some on email–willing to put up some money. I intended this as pledging a la Public Radio/Television. I had imagined that once a sizeable amount of money was pledged and a goal for the money was agreed upon, we could collect the money. May Day–the seasonal one–arrives soon. The dire one I hope never arrives. To fuel the discussion, I’m putting up fotos never before (I think) never posted here. Like Peking,
Lettie,
Helen and Marion, 
Pioneer without the orange raft,
Adam flaking,
schooners side by side,
Wavertree,
more Peking at Caddell’s,
and Decker.
Ambrose soon. All fotos by will Van Dorp.
I’m offering to give away a Benjamin Franklin, or a half dozen. And I’ll do it before May Day!! See the end of the post.
The foto below–never posted here before–comes from 2005 and shows “the schooners,” a handsome Pioneer (1885) and elegant Lettie G. Howard (1893), 244 years of sailing between them. On a personal note, I logged in over 600 hours as a volunteer on these two boats as well as on W. O. Decker between 2004–2006. That means winter maintenance as well as summer sailing.
Such nautical treasures are these vessels (left to right: Marion M, Wavertree, W. O. Decker, and Peking) and so many fine folks, volunteers as well as professional crew, did I meet during this time . . that
current developments at that place created as South Street Seaport break my heart and then make me angry.
When word on the street says Museum administration is looking to ”send its working ships to ports elsewhere for long-term storage” and otherwise declining comment on the crumbling state of affairs, I hope to hear that these same administrators abdicate their positions. These vessels are no white elephants. These are no “floating paperweights.”
During my years as an active volunteer, I knew this place could be much more than a red barn with seven masts sticking up above it.
Conditions of giving away my Benjamins: current Museum president Mary Pelzer resign effective immediately and a committee focused on the vessels be installed forthwith. And, I’d like 1000 people (former volunteers, boat fans, former professional crew members, just plain fans of these vessels, or friends and friends of friends of any of the above) to pledge at least a Benjamin each to be deposited with a trustworthy and maricentric steward by May 1, 2011. This could be the “seaport spring.” Let’s not let this go to May Day.
See the selection below from yesterday’s New York Post. Here’s info on a “Save our Ships” meeting for April 28. All fotos above by Will Van Dorp.
|
“Abandoning ships: City’s old vessels lost in fog of debt, neglect,” New York Post, April 25. “Rotting wood covers their decks, their masts are flaked with rust, and their hulls are corroding.
New York’s last tall ships — once-proud symbols of the Big Apple’s rise to greatness — are in a shameful state of disrepair as the museum that’s supposed to care for them sinks in a Bermuda Triangle of debt and bad management. Seaport Museum New York has closed its landside galleries and is looking to send its working ships to ports elsewhere for long-term storage. The museum’s stationary ships — Peking, one of the biggest sailing ships ever built, Wavertree, a three-masted cargo ship, and Ambrose, a lightship that a century ago guided sailors into New York harbor — face an unknown fate. ‘Those ships, which are emblematic of our heritage on the waterfront, are almost being left to rot,’ said Roland Lewis, president of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, a coalition of nonprofit groups. . . . The museum declined comment, except to say it is ‘exploring various options’ to maintain its vessels.” |
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