By Gus Saltonstall
A fleet of tall ships from all over the world traveled up the Hudson River on Saturday in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
The ships, part of “The International Parade of Sail,” journeyed from under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty, and up the Hudson River past the Upper West Side to the George Washington Bridge.
The vessels ranged from 161 to 378 feet long.
Upper West Sider Peggy Moss sent in photos of the ships on Saturday from her angle in Riverside Park around West 92nd Street.
Harriet Flehinger also shared photos with the Rag from her perspective in Riverside Park near West 74th Street.
“A wonderful neighborhood crowd,” she added about the large group of people who journeyed into Riverside Park to watch the ships go by.
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Apparently, as reported by Bob Eckstein, only one little boat sailed as far upstream as the GW Bridge, the others turned around by 125th Street, as they have done in the past. It is a gross insult to uptown residents. Are the captains not clearly instructed?
Posted on FB: The tall ships turned around near 125th Street because the George Washington Bridge sits just a few blocks north. For safety reasons during maritime parades, this was the designated northern turnaround point for the massive Class A vessels, some of which have towering masts exceeding 200 to 300 feet.
The GWB is on ~180nd Street, That is MUCH more than a “few” blocks north of 125th.
The GW Bridge is hardly “just a few blocks north,” as anybody who lives above 96th (or in Manhattan) knows. As noted, not the first time this has happened, and it is disappointing and disrespectful. Just let people know ahead of time, so they can plan accordingly. Thanks for the explanation about the mast height.
Wasn’t able to make it but would have loved to – that said, I’m surprised at the number that actually did go (judging by the crowd pics). I thought I was the only weird one into watching the tall ships.
Was a wonderful parade, even if many of the ships did not have their fabulous sails unfurled. 2 related sour notes: The Clearwater was banned for a “political” banner – but the South Street Seaport sloop displaying a Palestinian flag was OK? Very sad to see that.
No political opinions, just info from a sailor. As the wind lightened, most of the bigger ships could not keep their sails filled. As the wind became lighter from the southwest than the strong current coming from the north, (generally above 42nd St), many of the sails had to be put away (furled) because they would have just hung and drooped.
Glorious photos, Peggy!
Please repair the docks at the West Harlem Piers Park at W125th Street. They were destroyed during a storm six years ago, and never rebuilt or repaired.
Perhaps Columbia could contribute to the effort?
Who are you addressing this comment to?
great photos. Thank you all.
I graduated high school on the Bicentennial in 1976, when they had the original tall ships parade. The ships stretched for miles and miles, filling the entire space between lower Manhattan and at least the UWS, often two or three abreast. Several of my classmates and I watched this amazing display with a sense of wonder and joy.
Sadly, this year’s showing was paltry compared to the original. It made me sad.