Trawl Blog 2

I’ve used the “trawl net” or “line locker” concept to catch up on odds and ends.

 

The above foto shows Minerva scrawling her wise prose high atop Grand Central Terminal, the house the Vanderbilts constructed. So what might she write? Anyone interested in collaborating on a new blog called “Minerva’s blog?” Details below.

His hairy-cheekedness stands atop the Terminal also, his Elvis phase. Book recommendation: Commodore by Edward J. Renehan Jr. I just finished it: what I enjoyed was the detail-over half the book–deals with the cutthroat business of running ferryboats in the “sixth borough” in the early days of steam. Vanderbilt actually started the business with a sailing craft called a periauger. Is there a historically minded group in the northeast planning a replica periauger? Maybe a fitting enterprise with some Vanderbilt cash? I know Cornelius would love it!

 

Below is a closeup of some reefers and some info. Here’s some eco-container news.

 

Finally, these sacks of cocoa beans (or coffee or styrofoam peanuts??) evidence that the set and props are nearly ready for opening night of Il Tabarro. Can there be a better example of merging industrial and cultural use of the waterfront and access? Ticket purchase info at the link two lines up.

 

So here’s the concept of Minerva’s blog: she’s angry because unlike was the case in 1914, the East River and its passing ship traffic are no longer visible. In her anger, what perspective might she take on what she now sees daily? We could hold annual “Minerva awards” parties for blogs capturing some aspect of commercial water life! This excites me. Minerva Maids with magnificent plumes marching in the Mermaid parade!!

 

Second idea: Since Minerva would choose to read to catalyze her writing, what would she have on her bookshelf? I owe this idea to Adam, who put together a fabulous CD of sailing music this summer.

Please send in your favorite reading (fiction and non-fiction) using near coastal or harbor setting or themes, commercial water, and let’s limit suggestions to works written in or about the past 100 years only, i.e., Whitman and Melville are out.

My preliminary suggestions, in no particular order:

Tugboats of New York George Matteson

Fugitive Deckhand Fred Godfrey

Looking for a Ship John McFee

Grey Seas Under Farley Mowat

Captain Jan Jan de Hartog

??others??