Government Boats 40

. ..  make that boats and ships.  Thanks to Allen Baker for sending along this set of T-AKR 294 Antares moving out of GMD back in January 2010.  Yup, some drafts get caught in an eddy and they spin round and round never getting posted.  But I’m a believer that late is better than never.

Antares is a Fast Sealift vessel.  Other Fast Sealift ships can be found here.

Charles D and Ellen McAllister assist her stern first out and

spin her around to head for sea.

Recent other government boats include this NJ State Police launch and

this one I’ve never seen before.  (Or since, unless it’s been repainted)

One more, here’s  300 of the New York Naval Militia.

First three fotos come thanks to Allen Baker, from early 2010.  Others are mine.

Meanwhile Upriver April 2013

Click here for an ice post from two years and two months ago, featuring the very same tug–Kimberly Poling–with a slightly different paint job.  Know this bridge?

Here’s a closer up shot of the tug/barge.   Our destination is the top of the cliff on the far side.  Know the name?

Here’s looking north from below the bridge.  Freight travels on the west side of the Hudson, although this particular CSX train

happened to be pulling this unit . . . CSX SWAT.  Click on the blue info link at the lower left of that link . . . it is what it sounds like.

The east side of the river has AmTrak and commuter passenger lines and

here a New York Naval Militia vessel.

By the time we’re ready to start the serious climb, Kimberly is about ready to make the right turn around the base of Dunderberg Mountain.

Here’s our destination, Anthony’s Nose, as seen with a long lens.

And as seen from the top looking west and

looking south.  By the time, we got up there, Kimberly was already beyond Croton Point.   Here’s a previous tugster post from Croton Point.  The land directly across the river from the base of the flagpole is Iona Island.

and approaching Tappan Zee Bridge, not visible.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.

Here’s a tugster post from 2.5 years ago showing the Bear Mountain Bridge–the bridge featured here and located about 40 miles north of the Battery— from underneath. . .  scroll through.  Climb Anthony’s Nose soon . . . before the leaves happen.

Basics

Important question:  when was the Declaration of Independence signed and who wrote it?

 Be careful . . . I  got it wrong.  The fotos here are just for your enjoyment.

The Answer is  . . . it was signed on July 2, and the declaration of independence was written by

Richard Henry Lee.

What Thomas Jefferson wrote bore the title “A Declaration

by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled . . .”

If you have time this weekend, read it.  Someone in this country could use phrases in Jefferson’s declaration to oppose

any of the 44 US presidents elected since 1776.  Vessel here works for the New York Naval Militia.

Enjoy the day, stay cool, and keep your powder dry.

All fotos by will Van Dorp, and while we’re mentioning presidents, read what scuttlefish has to say about them here.