Thursday, July 15, 2010

Brooklyn Hidden Harbor Tour


Image: A view of Manhattan from out in New York Harbor

I’ve had a fascination for ships and the sea for as long as I can remember. It eventually reached its zenith in 1971 when I completed a five year apprenticeship as a shipwright with Adelaide Ship Construction. Unfortunately, as a career choice it was a case of too little too late. Towards the end of the 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Japan became the premier constructor of world shipping, and one by one the few shipyards around Australia began shutting down (and my budding career shut down with them).

However, to this day my interest in ships, boating, and a life on the ocean waves has never completely gone away, hence my nine hour outing up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain, and my participation on the Brooklyn Hidden Harbor tour organized by the New York based Working Harbor Committee.

Billed as a tour examining “Brooklyn’s Maritime Past, Present & Future”, this very popular two hour cruise took us under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges as far as Newtown Creek before returning back down the East River for an absorbing journey among Brooklyn’s many hidden inlets, disused wharves, bays and shipping terminals.

Ongoing commentary was provided by Captain John Doswell (Working Harbor Committee), Venetia Lannon (Sr, Vice President, Maritime, of the New York City Economic Development Corporation), and several other people who had an extensive working knowledge of the waterways surrounding Manhattan.

Venetia Lannon in particular, spoke often about the competing interests fighting over the development of vast swathes of Brooklyn waterfront, on what is clearly prime real estate. As you can imagine, developers are keen to get a slice of the action – and the waterfront – and would love to fill the area with expensive high rise apartments, office blocks, and projects that take full advantage of the stunning views across the East River towards Manhattan.

Image: The tall ship Peking at the South Street Seaport Museum


Our journey began at Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport Museum. This historic district was once a major shipping centre for sailing vessels to and from Europe and other parts of the world, and is well worth a visit in its own right. The museum owns a fleet of historic vessels including the tall ships Peking and Wavertree, the lightship Ambrose, as well as tug boats, schooners and exhibits in Schermerhorn Row and other buildings.

After boarding the Zephyr, we headed out into New York harbour passing under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. We were informed that beginning sometime in September, the Brooklyn Bridge will be undergoing major restoration work that is scheduled to take up to a year to complete! Pity then, the millions of tourists and visitors who will travel to see and photograph the bridge, only to find it obscured by scaffolding and canvas.


Passing under the Manhattan Bridge we cruised past Wallabout Bay were the Brooklyn Navy Yard is located. It was here at the Navy Yard that the nation's first ironclad ship, Monitor, was built and fitted with its revolutionary iron cladding at the Continental Iron Works in nearby Greenpoint, and in 1890, the ill-fated Maine was launched from the Yard's slipways.

Image: The start of something big – high rise apartments on the Brooklyn waterfront


In short order, here are just some of the tour highlights: Brooklyn Port Authority Piers (soon to become part of the new Brooklyn Bridge Park); the Fulton Ferry Landing, where Robert Fulton began the first ferry service in 1642; American Stevedoring (Brooklyn's only container port); Atlantic Basin (along with Howland Hook in Staten Island), one of only two cargo-handling docks left in the New York City; PortSide NewYork (a waterfront hub in Atlantic Basin with visiting historic vessels, charter and excursion boats, and a rest area for workboats); Erie Basin, so named as it was the southern terminus of the barge trade traffic that extended up the Hudson River through the Erie canal and west to the Great Lakes.


I think it was Venetia Lannon who pointed out that it was still possible to take a small craft up the Hudson River and along the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes, and from there enter the Mississippi River near Chicago, travel down the Mississippi exiting in Louisiana, before finally travelling up the east coast back to New York City. I’m not sure if anyone has attempted this trip but it would make a fascinating journey – and documentary.

On we cruised to Gowanus Bay, passing more prime real estate with great views of lower Manhattan and Governor’s Island. Out we went into the New York harbor anchorage and main channel where ships from all over the world as well as local barges can be seen anchored. This is the main shipping channel that begins in the Atlantic, passes under the Verrazano Bridge and continues north up the Hudson River as well as Brooklyn on the east and Staten Island on the west.


Image: Ships and barges at anchorage in New York harbor’s main shipping channel

We passed Robbins Reef Lighthouse, whose most famous Keeper was widow Kate Walker. From 1886 to 1919, she kept the light burning and raised two children, rowing them to school on Staten Island every day. Finally, we paused briefly just off the Statue of Liberty before return once again to Pier 16 and the South Street Seaport Museum, thus completing a fantastic look at parts of the Brooklyn waterfront rarely examined up close by visitors or locals.


I’ve already booked for the Working Harbor of New York and New Jersey tour, featuring the giant container ports in Newark Bay. This tour takes place on 17 August at 6:15 pm.

A repeat of the Brooklyn’s Maritime Past, Present & Future tour is scheduled for 14 September at 6:00 pm. Tickets for both tours are on sale now, as are tickets for other tours organized by the Working Harbor Committee.


A couple of notes about these boat tours:

  • The tour vessel is the Zephyr, a large, luxurious excursion vessel
  • The Zephyr is wheelchair accessible on the first deck, including heads (bathrooms)
  • Tour price ($29.00, concessions available) includes 1 free domestic beer, wine or soft drink
  • Hot dogs, pretzels, chips and nachos available for purchase
  • Parking lots and metered parking is available at the Seaport
  • Narration is generally by Capt. John Doswell and guests from the maritime industry

Since the Zephyr has at least two decks that are entirely enclosed and safe from the elements, it is my understanding that tours take place, rain, hail or shine!

Image: American Stevedoring (Brooklyn's only container port)

LINKS:

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Strolling Central Park

Image: Shakespeare watches over Tango dancers in Central Park

Caught a bus into the city and got off near Hunter College to attend Roller Derby in New York City! Yes, on Saturday night the Brooklyn Bombshells were meeting the Queens of Pain and I wanted to be there to see the clash. Unfortunately, so did hundreds of other roller derby fans, and since I had not bought a ticket for the event I missed out because it was completely sold out.


Gratuitous advice to visitors: If you want to see it – make sure you book it, or don’t be surprised if the event you want to see is sold out. It is New York after all, and the middle of summer at that. At least I will get another chance to see the teams clash again in August, and you can make sure I will book ahead for that one.


So what to do? Wanting to salvage something from a potentially wasted Saturday night, I headed off to Central Park where I was sure something would be happening, and it wasn’t long before I encountered a large group of people dancing in the park. Not just any old dance, though. They were dancing the Tango. I didn’t get the full details, but throughout the summer, free Tango lessons were taking place on Saturday evenings around the base of Shakespeare’s statue, and I had stumbled on the class. Of course, if you already knew how to Tango you were more than welcome to join in.

Image: Bethesda Fountain in Central Park


After watching the dancers for a little while I walked down towards Bethesda Fountain. Before reaching the fountain I saw another group of dancers. These were gyrating around a trio of percussionists who pounded out a steady rhythm of primal beats that kept the mood lively and the dancers sweaty.


At Bethesda Fountain, numerous visitors and locals where being entertained by a couple of buskers who were creating giant soap bubbles, and eliciting excited ooh’s and ah’s from an appreciative audience, especially when some of the bubbles where reaching lengths of two or three metres.


Image: Giant soap bubbles in Central Park


Later, as I retraced my steps back past the dancers to Fifth Avenue and caught a bus into Penn Station for a meal, I was happy to have made something out of a potentially wasted evening.


Thursday, July 8, 2010

Livingstone's New York Postcard #1

Intergalactic time traveler, Livingstone Cook is living the high life in New York City, and has taken time out from partying to send some happy snaps back to Shummy-Shum (as he affectionately refers to his mother).

Livingstone is already well travelled, having come from beyond the Pavo constellation. Unfortunately, he did get caught up in some recent sun spot activity which has caused major malfunctions to his internal guidance systems.


The other side effect of this incident is that it has left him with a body mass that has become extremely soft and pliable, giving him the appearance of a soft toy made from heavy ply wool with black beads for eyes. However, this transformation from an inter-galactic, state of the art, robotic alien has its benefits since it means he is now incredibly light and can fit into almost any space, which makes it east to tote him around with me wherever I go.


Written by Livingstone himself, here in his own words is a report of his first exciting taste of international travel.


Hello, mommy Shummy_Shum. It too hot in Noo York City, especial if you come from ice-berg planet like me do. Me be getting out and over with Uncle JimJim – when he can bother to take me with he.


Image: Livingstone waiting at Adelaide Airport for flight to Los Angeles


Me waiting in pack back for intergalactic to Los Anglees. Uncle JimJim make big ha_ha. He say intergalactic take 20 hours or more! BigJoke Uncle JimJim. In 20 hours Me fly to Moon Station 0030. You no fool Me, SillyBilly.


Image: Livingstone claiming the double bed in the Super 8 Hotel, Los Angeles for himself


Uncle JimJim no make BigJoke! Travel on sky plane take 20 hours and more! Earth people dummy_dums. Why they have no teleport stations? Travel well faster than sky plane with teleport stations. Now he say big bed for he only. Me say big bed for Me too. Me want no more sleep_asleep in pack back!

Uncle JimJim say Me a big woosh. He say Me be a SillyBilly. Me no big woosh! Uncle JimJim be a big woosh becos he be jet blagged. He should be travelled 13 light years - then he be jet blagged for real!

Image: The Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX. No, Livingstone, you can’t catch it home!

Me see intergalactic USO Sky Ship Bob Hope, waiting to launch at Los Anglees, LAX. Me want to catch sky ship home. Uncle JimJim say Bob Hope is no sky ship but people house. He say we stay in Los Anglees. He still grumpy_grump from jet blagging. Big woosh!

Image: Livingstone have a quiet word with Steven Spielberg on Hollywood Boulevard

Me be meet with Steven Speelberg! He be Me big and bigger hero. In Pavo Constellation Mr. Speelberg top earth director for all space comedies. Always. Me favorite comedy be E.T. and Close Encounter. Me laugh fit to get busted! Good jokes, Mr. Speelberg.


Pleese, scuse Me poor inglish. Livingstone inglish is get better but not best yet.


Luv U, Shummy_Shum. By-bye.

Livingstone


Yes, I know. Riveting stuff, isn’t it? Still I promised Livingstone that he can contribute one blog post each week detailing his adventures and unique insights (yes, that’s a joke). With a bit of luck it may at least stop him from nagging me constantly about ‘going home’. It seems to be working. Right now he is working on his next entry which includes New York City.

I bet you can’t wait.


Yeah, right!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...