Photo: DNAinfo/Julie Shapiro
The Peking, a steel-hulled four-masted barque built in 1911, which has been a largely neglected fixture at New York’s South Street Seaport for almost the last 40 years, is now in desperate need of a new home.
The South Street Seaport Museum thought that they had an agreement with the city of Hamburg to take the grand old ship. That deal apparently fell through and the future of the old ship is again in doubt. Susan Henshaw Jones, president of the South Street Seaport Museum, said she will hear proposals from anyone with a berth for the old ship. “The ultimate alternative, which is to scrap her, it’s unthinkable,” she said.
The Seaport has been trying to get rid of the Peking since at least 2008. Other events, however, have distracted from that effort. The Seaport collapsed financially in early 2011. In September of 2011, the South Street Seaport Museum was taken over by the Museum of the City of New York. The City of New York also provided $2 million dollars in operating funds but imposed an 18 month deadline to determine whether the seaport museum could be made viable again. The return of the Peking to Germany was part to the plan to lower the operating costs of the museum.
The continued presence of the Peking creates logistical as well as financial problems. The Seaport’s other windjammer, the iron three masted, Wavertree, is losing her berth on Pier 15 to a new retail development and was supposed to move Pier 16 where the Peking is now berthed.
The Peking is one of the Flying-P liners, built for F. Laeisz. She was one of the last generation of great sailing ships, the windjammers, who kept to the seas, paying their way carrying bulk cargoes long after most thought that the “age of sail” was over. The Peking carried nitrates around Cape Horn for over twenty years, then served as a school ship for forty more before being brought to the South Street Seaport in 1975.
Thanks to Irwin Bryan for contributing to the post.
In my beginnings as a sea music performer in the ’70s, one of my greatest thrills was singing on the deck of ‘Peking’ for the first time. There have been many times since, and each has been special in its own way. Our William Main Doerflinger Memorial Sea Shanty Sessions, now at the Noble Maritime Collection, began as the Monthly Chanty Sing on ‘Peking’ in September 1995. There are many of us for whom this great old ship holds deep, warm, and abiding memories, and for New York to lose the familiar form of her masts against the skyline would not simply be tragic, but something akin to criminal negligence.
It would be sad if the Peking was scrapped. I knew it as the TS Arethusa, a training ship/boarding school, in the early 1970s. A lot of tough inner city kids got put on the right road by attending that school. It went bankrupt due to the headmaster buying the boys normal beds, and building dormitories etc. up til then we had slept in hammocks. It was an extremely tough environment, but it worked. It was while watching the news about the weather, that I thought I’d try to see how she was doing. Still, probably better to be bashed by the sea then gutted by oxy-acetylene eh.
The Peking known by me as the Arethusa was a great positive influence on my life,I trained on her from 1956 with a great bunch of lads who like me I’m sure,have a lot to thank her and her Officers for. I find it very sad that this great old ship has found itself in this position,and I hope some solution can be found,good luck old girl and many thanks.
Brian Sewrey (Sew.)145 Top Stardboard 1956/1958
I was on the ship when it was the TS ARETHUSA around 1958/59 it was good grounding for the RN. The most outstanding teacher I remember was the “WIZZ” a some what large fella by the name of Fullerton, he smoked about 60 fags a day but at least he know his seamanship we also had somewhat sadistic teachers one by the name of ‘Shacks’ he seemed to enjoy hitting children, as we all were then. The other teachers were very mediocre and I found schooling hard and have had to teach myself for the rest of my adult life. The ship itself was great and I enjoyed climbing the fore mast but never worked up the courage to make the last Jacobs Ladder to touch the “Button”.
I was sad to hear about the ship going to the USA but thought then it would at least be looked after. Sadly that appears not to be the case. I still remember most of the brainwashing spiel on the ship being a four masted steel barque, fore, 180′ main, 180′ mizzen175′ and jigger, 145′. Built in Hamburg, Germany in May 1911, the rest I forget!
What can really be done with an old girl like that and who has the money to maintain it let alone restore it, perhaps some one could persuade Sir Richard Branson to have a look, could go well with his airline!
I hope others will remember the ship with as much affection as I have for her.
Bob – Ships Number 34 Mess Number 4
How great would it be if enough money were raised to return her to upnor, I myself served on her drom 70 to 74 and have missed her ever since. Great memories I’ll never forget.
I was aboard TS Arethusa from 1967 to 1970 when I left to join the Royal Tank Reginent. Many happy but tough days aboard the old girl. Surely someone can rescue her?
T.S.Arethusa, 1961-63. No.62 Foc’sle Port.
What a sad predicament for such a great ‘old lady’.
To thousands of boys who were lucky enough to ‘serve’ on board the ‘Arry’, the experience was life changing. I personally was able to travel the world for a few years, as a navigating apprentice and then 3rd Mate, in the Merchant Navy.
I feel very sad that she may end her days at the scrapyard. She has had a wonderful historic life.
I sincerely hope that a ‘saviour’ can be found.
I served aboard TS Arethusa From January 1950 to October 1951 and this training became the commencement of my naval career of 30 years.
The strict discipline was difficult to handle initially but it eventually made my time in the navy very easy to handle
I remember that our Captain (ICommander LeMaire RN Rtd) and his wife had a baby daughter, I think in early/mid 1951, I am sure she was named Petra
We used to take her around the upper deck in her pram, she was spoiled by the boys and will now be well into her 60’s.
Sorting through my memorabillia and observed that I received my ARETHUSA Sword in June 1970, it is a special item of interest in our house and my grandchildren call it our burgular protection.
I still have very fond memories of the Arethusa. I was onboard her between 1960-1962 (no.61) and it changed my life. I ran away from home at the age of 13 and due to circumstances I won’t go into I had the choice of going into a “Boys Home” or joining the TS Arethusa. One of the best choices I have ever made. It was tough but I remember the comradeship, and instructors like “The Wizz” who taught us seamanship and signals, “Shacks” who was the PT Instructor. Some of the old Arethusa boys I have worked with both in the Navy and in my career and without exception we all have positive things to remember and say about this amazing ship. It is sad to see the “Peking” in this predicament and hope that someone can save the “Old Girl” from the scrapyard. Oh, and by the way hello Bob Badgery I haven’t see you for many years.
This thread has awakened quite a few memories for me as well, the “Wizz” was Yeoman of Signals in HMS Sheffield in her action against the Bismarck, and is mentioned in at least one book on the subject. PTI “Shacks” and his cane were in competition with “Ferdy” Farrington and his “stick of liquorice”, which was a length of electric cable to any non Arry boys. I wonder how many “nozzes” ( new boys ) were chased from the galley after being sent to get some more “nats”. Stan Whitnall and Mo Pavey being the ladle wielding irate cooks doing the chasing, all these guys are long gone, I guess.
I served aboard the Peking (T S Arethusa) from Feb 1947 to December 1948, an experience that will live in my memory for ever. I can’t say it was the happiest time of my life but I learned the lessons of teamwork, comradeship, self discipline and many other life skills that helped me progress from Boy Seaman 2nd class to Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy.
I have no strong feelings about the ship being scrapped because the Arethusa to me was the boys, the instructors, the lasting friendships and the personal memories not not the fabric of the ship itself.
I notice I am the oldest (80 years) person to post a comment but I’m sure there are others who’s memories go back further than mine.
Bob Tink (214)
on board 1962 to 1964 the best years of my life hope she can be saved there must be some one out there that has got moor money then they need and can save the old ship from the scrap yard come on some one and save the ship as part of history of the sea and all the boys that were on hair as s training ship pleas
I first got to see the “Are” in new york during the American Bi-Centennial of 1976. At that time I was serving in the Corps of Drums of HMRM Commando Forces, and together with the band we travelled the length and breath of the US. It was a very strange experience seeing her so “empty”, for want of a better word, but at least it was good to see her again. Also on that trip was Johnny Ginty who was my Sergeant Bugler and also an ex-“Are” boy.
I left the Drums after seven years, prior to reverting to the ranks and passing for duty as a RM Commando. But whilst still in the Drums I served on and off with several other Old Boys:- Geoff Mcgarr in the band, Dave Pittock, Johnny Ginty, Jim And Dennis Challis in the Drums ( incidentally, both Gints and Dennis became RM Drum Majors, and if you get onto U-tube you can see Dennis leading the RM Commando element of the Falklands victory parade through the City of London, and I must admit he cuts a fine dash whilst he’s about it ). On the commando side of things, “Titch” Petrovski, “Jock” McKiddie, Mark Talbot and “Charlie” Watts all put in an appearance over the years.
The next time I got to set eyes on our old ship was the year after the Twin Towers atrocity. I was lucky enough to join up with “Gibbo” Gibbons and Mark Talbot for a weeks’ worth of drunken debouch and riotous living in NYC. The ship was an absolute disgrace. Everything was filthy, there was rust everywhere and ‘tween decks would have made you cry when you recollect how she used to look. However, the Seaport staff couldn’t have been more helpful if they tried, and their Bosun proudly bent on the Arethusa ensign, that Gibbo had brought with him for the occasion, and hauled it aloft.
On the day of our visit, we were escorted by a party of US Navy and US Marine Corps personnel who, in their best blues and medals, faced aft and saluted as our ensign flew once again back where it belonged.
I do hope this is not the end for the old girl, she, and her predecessors have played such an important part not only for raising boys for the Merchant Service and HM Fleet, but also for turning round thousands of young lads and giving us all the backbone and discipline to make our way in life.
“Sticks” Palmer (QD/STD 199, 19 Mess) late Royal Marines.
Well well,I found this website purely by chance.I served on the Arry 1957/8-
1959.I then joined the R.N. whereupon I served until 1984,19 years in Subs.
The Arethusa gave me backbone to face life and has made me feel as though I am one of the luckiest men alive.I cannot remember many names as when I served we almost always referred to each other by number,but some names I remember are,Mickey Moore,Alfie
Pringle,Rapely and Slingsby(I think,)there was also our Fxl.Pt.Petty Officer Mateishack(I know not the correct spelling)God bless all who sailed-served on her.She was a fine vessel,run correctly by fine officers.My fondest memories are of Shacks Shackleton,Wizz Fuller Fullerton and Lt.Morton Band Master(I played trumpet/cornet in the band)and of course Lt.Cdr.Le-Mare,Ferdie Farrington Mo Pavin and Stan Whitnel.(I cannot remember his name but the Tailor is remembered well by me.)As I said-god bless all.
I did my stint on the TS Arethusa 1950 to 1953 my number was 21 FCSL starboard, I have been reading old boys comments with great interest she was a great old ship and steered many of us in our lives.I was one of the first boys to go into the Blue Funnel Line at the time it upset capt Le MARE.
\Would be pleased to hear from any of the boys of my time
I served aboard the arry from 1956-1958. having seen the state of her now breaks my heart. It wasn’t an easy existance as all ex arry boy’s know, but she does not deserve to be treated like this. as usual the Amerecans I want it then to let her rot is typical its disgraceful. I hope sumbody has the finanace to let her rest somewhere in peace and with grace.
Just to add, number 63 fcle strb
It is so nice to see so many comments from so many ex Arethusa Boys, and quite a few from my years 1957 to 59 No204.
There is an Arethusa Old Boys Association with over 300 members from all years, it only costs £5 a year and for that there is a Log Book sent out with many stories from members of their time on board plus other events that we can arrange we also have a reunion on the first Saturday in September every year down at the old center at Upnor, this year was the 25th since the Association started. Please contact me if you would like more info or like to join, it would be great to hear form you. contact :- rogeralford01@yahoo.co.uk
Do you remember number 164 1958/59 quarter deck port 14 mess Dave Wooder?
I have just found this web page and I am astonished and delighted to read the entries.
I remember Mo Pavey the cook and Mrs Brown in the Officers mess Commander Lemaire with his Dutch wife.
Like many boys I was placed on the ship instead of Borstal and it was hard.
Going up to the sports field with no shoes or socks, scrubbing the deck with sand and canvas, over the mast before breakfast!
I went on to HMS Ganges and then onto RN.
Do you remember “stonachies” filled with sand and used to beat malingerers and the luxury motor vessel Glen Strathendrick moored alongside? On night I got aboard and procured some spirits and cigarettes and me and my pals enjoyed an impromptu party in the forrard heads!!!
I am joining up to the old salt blog-such memories!
Same vessel?
https://www.facebook.com/125068434229063/videos/605212489547986/
Yes. From Irving Johnson’s documentary.
Having boarded near sister Passat in Travemunde, North Germany, and seeing the immaculate condition of the vessel, it is disgraceful that Peking has been allowed to become as run down as she is. When I wished to board her at Southport, mid 2011, it was obvious even then that restoration work was desperately needed. Vessel was closed for inspection at that time.
Like the above comments I was am ex Are boy 75 1950-1952.
Although I found life pretty hard as I was one of those that came from a normal home with no criminal element. Refering to Mr Povey in the galley I remember he was a chain smoker and not fussy where his ash went!
If Rick (i think 83 at that time) reads this please contact me as over the past 60 years I recall just what a good mate you were to me contact prior@grapevine.com.au (Australia)
Added to above, when I visited Peking in 2000 I was disappointed that the wooden decks had been replaced with some other material, after I spent two years on my hands and knees keeping them pristine white!