The El Estero Fire – the Greatest Nautical Disaster that Didn’t Happen

Bowsprite was kind enough to pass along this forgotten moment in history, which fits in well with recent posts.  Like the case of the Liberty ship SS Richard Montgomery, it involves a ship loaded with high explosives and like the apparent “Blind Date” hoax, … Continue reading

Clipper Round the World Fleet Arrives in New York Harbor, Unofficially

The ten boat fleet of the Clipper Round the World Race will officially and formally arrive in New York harbor on Sunday, June 3rd to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  As Sir Robin Knox-Johnston sails the Suhaili, the 32ft yacht on which he became … Continue reading

Videorays – the Submarine Drones of New York Harbor

New York harbor was the sight of the first use of a submersible in combat.  On September 6, 1776, Eza Lee in command of the Turtle, a one man submersible designed by David Bushnell, attempted and failed to sink Admiral Richard Howe’s flagship HMS Eagle.   Today, modern … Continue reading

Party in the Harbor for Lady Liberty & Liberty Enlightening the World Wide Web

Today is the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty.   The colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York harbor was designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886 as a gift to America from … Continue reading

2011 Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition

The next Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition is coming up on Labor Day weekend, on September 4th on the Hudson River in New York harbor. If my count is correct, this will be the 19th annual tug boat race.  One of the … Continue reading

Statue Cruises fuel cell powered hybrid ferry for New York harbor

Earlier this week we posted about Cakewalk, a luxury yacht built at Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport, Conn.   Here is quite different vessel now under construction at Derecktor.    Statue Cruises, a subsidiary of Hornblower Cruises, has hired Derecktor to construct the world’s … Continue reading

New York’s Graveyard of Ships on TV and Radio

The Witte boneyard, often referred to as New York’s graveyard of ships, usually sits unnoticed on the shore of Staten Island on the Arthur Kill in a far corner of New York harbor.   In the last week, however, it has … Continue reading

New York Harbor Weekend – Racing Tug Boats and Red Tide

It was a beautiful and busy weekend in New York harbor.  On Sunday, I missed the 18th Annual Running of the Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition but Will over at the Tugster blog has some great photos.   … Continue reading