When Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor
in 1609, he and his crew aboard the Dutch ship the Half Moon could never have
imagined that four hundred years later, they would be so famous. The
only existing
replica of the Half Moon, under the command of Captain Chip
Reynolds, arrived in Yonkers on October 15 and will remain docked through
October 31st. For those who missed
out on viewing the Replica during the NY400 week, the public is invited to come
on board for public tours on October 24&25 with a final day of public tours
set for October 31.
In conjunction with those public tours, the
Yonkers Downtown Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) will hold its
Half Moon festival during the weekend including entertainment, music and
quadricentennial-themed activities.
During the week the Half Moon will be
available from Monday through Friday for tours to pre-scheduled school groups
from throughout Yonkers and Westchester County.
Curious? NY400 talked to the Half
Moon's Chief Engineer Kipp van Aken about his experiences on the ship, it's
hidden treasures, and possible future endeavors.
‘Visitors can expect a trip back in time,'
Kipp says, ‘essentially on a working antique that gives awareness of limited
space with evolving technologies. You can learn a lot, about the ship and about
Hudson's journey. But there are also many unexpected hidden treasures to be
found...' Kipp talks passionately about the VOC window in the Great Cabin, the
ships special rope work, silver 'daalders' to be found under each mast,
and even a 'gulden dukaat' under the mizzen mast. ‘But the real treasure is
what visitors or those that sail with her carry away in their own unique manner
- it does transform lives and leaves a lasting impression.'
Kipp, a veteran of the US Navy Submarine Force
and a direct descendant of three early Dutch families in New York, is an
original shareholder of the ship.
Each year, the Half Moon replica recreates
Hudson's original voyage from New York up to Albany with a young crew, this
time comprised of both Dutch and American students. As present-day 'Henry
Hudson's', would the ship's crew someday want to sail across the
Atlantic, truly recreating the 1609 voyage? Kipp: ‘There has been a great deal
of interest over the years to sail the Half Moon to Amsterdam. It would have to
be in perfect ocean and weather conditions, and presently, the ship is not
fully seaworthy. Even though she handles a strong wind well, in a heavy swell
and blowing gale it would be easy to spring a mast, and break the keel. But
would it be a great experience? You bet!'
For a more information about the Half Moon and
a complete schedule, visit www.halfmoon.mus.ny.us.
For more details about Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID events, visit www.yonkersdowntown.com.
When in Yonkers don't miss out on the exhibit
Dutch New York: The Roots of Hudson Valley Culture.
View the 30 sec video here
view features from all categories
Send To Friend
Please wait ...
