Streer of Ships — Wavertree, Peking in background Photo: R. Spilman
This Saturday, the South Street Seaport Museum celebrated its Spring Revival with the grand re-opening of Pier 16 and the Street of Ships. The ceremony began with the ringing of the bell on the historic lightship Ambrose built in 1907. The bell that once guided fog-bound ships safely into New York harbor, will, perhaps, also mark the return of the South Street Seaport Museum.
Captain Jonathan Boulware, interim president of the museum, along with the Manhattan Borough President, Gale Brewer; and District 1 – Council Member, Margaret Chin; and several others, spoke of the importance of the South Street Seaport to New York City and the nation; that the seaport was the “front door to America.” Boulware thanked all the museum supporters and the dedicated army of volunteers that have kept the museum running during recent difficult times. Boulware also announced that the museum will begin a $5.2 million dollar restoration of the square rigged ship Wavertree.
After the short speeches, the historic lightship Ambrose, the schooner Pioneer , and the “Flying P” windjammer, Peking were open to the public. The schooner Lettie G. Howard, newly returned from the shipyard in Mystic Seaport after the museum raised $250,000 for repairs, was tied up alongside the Ambrose.
The one large vessel that was not open to the public was the 1885 built iron full rigged ship Wavertree. The planned $5.2 million restoration of the Wavertree is planned to begin towards the end of this year with a target completion in 2015. Wavertree is currently the largest iron sailing vessel afloat.
In addition to the ships there were also demonstrations of ships’ carving and print making as well as sea song sung by the group “New York Packet.” One of the singers in group is Frank Woerner. Almost forty years ago when I first came to New York I used come down to Pier 16, long before the built the mall, and listen to Bernie Clay and the X-Seaman’s Institute sing sea shanties on the pier. Frank Woerner was one of the X-Seaman. (Strangely enough, I don’t think that Frank has grown that much older.)
Under prior management, the South Street Seaport Museum was shut down in February 2012 due to financial crisis. With a new management team, led by the Museum of the City of New York, and new funding grants, the museum was getting back on its feet when it was struck a body blow by the storm surge from Superstorm Sandy in late 2012. The ships rode out the storm but the building ashore suffered $20 million dollars worth of damage. In June of last year, the Museum of the City of New York pulled out. Recently there have been suggestions that real estate development would force the museum out. Nevertheless, the South Street Seaport museum has carried on, regardless.
See also: Why NYC must save the South Street Seaport & NYC’s South Street Seaport looks for revival
It is pleasing to see and hear that the Ship` Wavertree’ is safe, we all have to be grateful for that, wouldn`t it be great if a good future could be confirmed for `Peking’ once a mighty four poster indeed. I have written to the Hamburg International Maritime Museum in the hope of alerting them to her plight that something may yet be done to save her. What museum would want to see he broken up while in their charge. You mention Frank Woerner, I stayed with him when in NY in 1981 and sang on the deck of `Peking’ on that occasion, somebody say Hi for me.
Chris
No one knows what will happen to the Peking. There had been a deal to give her to Hamburg but that fell through due to the ship’s condition. The concern is that she might not survive the tow across the Atlantic and no one has the funds to pay for a heavy lift ship to carry her. In the mean time, the South Street Seaport doesn’t have the pier space nor the money to maintain two windjammers.
Hey! I am so glad to hear that. I was in NY last March and visited (or rather “saw”) the ships and they were a sore sight. The Wavertree was at the Buenos Ares port for several years as a sand hulk, so we all here are happy about the news.
Regards
Carlos Mey
ww.histarmar,org
I was a docent at the South Street Seaport for many years. I stayed through thick and thin until it went bankrupt. The mismanagement of the museum was sickening. Money was thrown away by just about everyone who worked there.
The museum and the surrounding South Street area is at the very heart of the history of New York. This is where the Port of New York began. The very streets in the area were boat slips once. This is where Robert Fulton ran the first steam ferry. This is where the great Clipper Ships once docked. Everything necessary should be done to conserve the South Street Seaport museum — both on land and in the water.
Delighted to hear that South Street Seaport is re-opening again. It was high on my list of “must see’s” when I visited New York in 2012 after I undertook the Titanic Memorial Voyage. It didn’t disappoint (apart from the fact that I couldn’t get on Peking), so this is good news. More power to your collective elbows guys
the Wavertree’s history is tied to R W LEYLAND AND HIS SHIPPING LINE .i
recommend 2books 1 Champion of sail RW LEYLAND by David Walker his great grandson and 2 THE OCEAN WANDERER
Theresidents of Wavertree would be overjoyed to know the ship is being
rescured a article to the Liverpool Echo Might respond in supporters