Click on the photo below and you’ll see where this photo of part of the hoboken riverfront looked like in 1955.

Union Dry Dock and Repair was the setting for a 1979 Blondie music video that you can watch by clicking on the photo.  Actually, a lot of 1979 Hoboken marine industry is visible on the video. The sad news is that Union Dry dock and Repair, a fixture there since 1908 is no more.  I’ve been working on (mulling over is more accurate) this post since last November, when UDD & R assets were dispersed to new owners.

Thanks to the always helpful folks at Hughes Marine, I got to see one of the floating drydocks previously over in Hoboken. Thanks, Tim.

Here’s another view of the 6 Dry Dock.

In January I spotted the same green color on a floating dry dock over in Bayonne, and then

in February I saw it in use, deballasting itself

to raise a barge.

The business had been for sale for quite some time, as evidenced by this 2012 Hudson Reporter article.  The struggle for this property is now being waged between the city of Hoboken and NYWaterways.  In fact, as I write this morning, the city of Hoboken, the state of NJ, and NJWaterways are all engaged.

I’m putting up this post now as a way to group source the story.  Any updates and past history are appreciated.   I’m happy the dry docks and former small tug Hoboken–now a Sea Wolf boat in Sea Wolf colors–have found a new life.  Here’s another shot. And here (scroll) you’ll see one of the dry docks over where it once was.

The last five photos here by Will Van Dorp.