Wavertree to Caddell Dry Dock 1

But first, many thanks to Bjoern Kils of New York Media Boat for the enjoyable ride aboard his RHIB Amundsen.   I’ve decided to divide the photos into two posts.  These cover the first 15 minutes (!!) of the trip to the yard.

arriving for the pick up at Pier 25, westside of Manhattan looking towards Jersey City

Bartholdi was finishing up his copper creation a year AFTER Wavertree began its career as a bulk carrier of jute.

I was thrilled to see the tugs that did the tow, starting with Thomas J. Brown.  This tug has appeared here many times, but here’s probably my favorite.

Thomas J. Brown, 1962 built

On starboard side was Pelham.

Pelham, 1960 built.

This post covers only 15 minutes, but it seemed like ages, watching this highly unusual tow traverse the Upper Bay.

at the 31

passing Robbins Reef Light and  . . .

the Verrazano.

and into the Kills

Now if you were on Rae yesterday, you might be feeling left out at this point, but here’s the beginning of your part.  I first saw Rae more than 10 years ago , when she was still  Miss Bonnie.  Click here and scroll.

passing the dented 6

In the hard hat here and in the rigging earlier probably with the NYTimes photographer who took this photo, it’s Mike Weiss, South Street’s Waterfront Foreman.

Waving from the shrouds here it’s Capt. Jonathan Boulware, now executive director of SSSM.

If there had been a salt pile in the late 19th century, Wavertree could have transported it, as it spent its last years before the 1910 dismasting in the tramp trades . . .  Maybe someone can help with specifics here, but I recall reading that Wavertree called in the sixth boro before 1910.

Here’s a closeup of Rae now in Fox colors, and click here for one from five years ago.

Rae, 1952 built

And we’ll pick up here tomorrow.

to the lower left, that’s Joyce D. Brown about to overtake

All photos by Will Van Dorp.  Many thanks to Bjoern of NY Media boat for the ride and to Mike and Jonathan of SSSM for the advance notice of the transit.