There was a time when I was a boy . . . I thought that hydrofoils would dominate the future. They didn’t. My question is: does anyone recall a hydrofoil operating in the waters around greater NYC? This just in from a jolly tar, a British film clip that alludes to but seems not to show a hydrofoil on Long Island Sound . . . ??
The foto below taken in heavy rain just east of the Astoria-Megler Bridge–north side–shows the remains of Plainview AGEH-1. Here’s a video of AGEH-1 under way.
Here’s a year’s worth of links on hydrofoils. And some more . . .
Foto by Will Van Dorp.
tugster: a waterblog 
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August 6, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Anonymous
There was one at the ’64? worlds fare. After the fare from what I understand several people tried to unsuccessfully run it on commuter runs and laid up. It eventually was purchased in the early ’90’s by a company who was going to run it between somewhere around Highlands NJ and NY. The boat had a history of mechanical problems that could not be overcome.The vessel was eventually scrapped mid 90’s.
August 6, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Joe
As I write this the beer can manufacturers of Washington state and gathering like vultures on a carcass!
August 6, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Les Sonnenmark
One of the “year’s worth” of International Hydrofoil Society articles is about the ALBATROSS series of hydrofoils operating in NYC in the early ’60s. http://www.foils.org/albatross.htm
August 6, 2013 at 1:51 pm
tugster
les- thanks much for directing my attention to the best part of a “year’s worth.” without yr help, i wouldn’t have gotten to the albatross story til . . . december or so . . .
August 6, 2013 at 6:44 pm
eastriver
Remember them zipping up and down. Also remember that their foils were frequently damaged by the amount of derelict wood from crumbling piers floating about (in the bad old days.)
August 6, 2013 at 10:39 pm
tugster
pilings floating WOULD indeed be a problem.
August 6, 2013 at 10:07 pm
Russ Smith
When I was in high school and working on party fishing boats in NJ there was a hydrofoil testing off Long Island. It was the HS Denison, a Grumman Aircraft project.
August 6, 2013 at 10:42 pm
tugster
would anyone have fotos of these long gone NYC area hydrofoils? my only “in the skin” view of a hydrofoil is this one in quebec: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Bras_d'Or_(FHE_400)
August 7, 2013 at 9:52 am
Ken
Did any of the Navy’s hydrofoils ever operate in and around New York? If I recall, the Navy had 6 of them. I used to play a game based on it on my Commodore 64. If that doesn’t date me…:)
August 8, 2013 at 5:19 am
jeff s
does anyone remember a beat-up looking hydrofoil laid up at the old United Pilot’s dock….back in late 90’s? i thought it looked foreign built.