St. Clair River Wooden Traffic

Why wood?   It’s been awhile since I asked that . . .  I suppose I should ask why so many wooden runabouts and cruisers suddenly swarmed in the St. Clair, but it was enjoyable.  But here is the event, and if you want to get into a wooden boat, as maybe I do, here’s a ticket.

Jeffery Dave is a Higgins . . . maybe early 1960s?

Miss Minneapolis IV.

Bette Noir heads into the Black River…

Names as I can read them . . . Tiger Lily, 

Cracker Jack and Cracker Jack (?),

just a beautiful classic,

and Nigel’s Launch.  Can anyone identify the manufacturer?

Don’t tell Nigel . . .

Let’s end it here with a SeaSkiff named The Old Lady.

All photos by Will Van Dorp, who would be happy to attend this boat show.

Lots more of everything to come . . .

 

 

East River Mysteries 3

Never did find out the last one, but in a quick post, here are three more. Pix all by me in the past week.

 

That clearly says “Japan Coast Guard,” and last I checked, Brooklyn is not along Japan’s coast; in fact, it’s not even in the sixth boro. Hmm? If anyone reads Japanese, here’s a closer up shot of the stern.

 

Gojiba? Someone translate the hiragana?

 

This long shot shows a commuter boat I spotted twice last week, each time when I was headed the other way and busy. This time it was leaving the East River headed into the Hudson past Pier A. Looks like a classic, and I’d like to know more. Anyone?

All photos by Will Van Dorp.

 

Finally–I know it’s in Gowanus Bay, not the East River. Loujaine, visible from the BQE, has been here at least a half dozen years. I recall reading a Times story long before I moved to New York about a skeleton crew left on a ship in Brooklyn after the owners declared bankruptcy or some such. The crew were from South America and threatened with harm if they left the ship even though they were no longer paid. But I can’t locate the article now. Anyone know the story of Loujaine?

PS: Pete Hamill, whom I respect mostly, made a blanket statement about bloggers doing what they do without leaving their apartment. What?!!? Kind of a reach there, sir?