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 the talk of the town. The only existing replica of the Half Moon, under the command of Captain Chip Reynolds, will take part in September NY400 Week celebrations. The ship will be docked at Battery Park on September 9, giving everybody a chance to see this historic gem for themselves.
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. ‘There are so many strange and intruiging stories surrounding the history of the Half Moon. Back in the seventeenth century, there was an incident when the original ship came out of the fog late at night too close to some fisherman, then disappearing again into the fog from their work lights – it must have been eerie for the fisherman – a real Flying Dutchman!’ (The Flying Dutchman, or Vliegende Hollander, according to folklore, is a ghost ship that can never go home, doomed to sail the oceans forever.)
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!'
Experience the Half Moon for yourself during NY400 Week on September 9 at Battery Park, Downtown Manhattan. For other opportunities to visit the ship, click here.
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