BY DONATHAN SALKALN | The Sloop Clearwater’s majestic presence on the Hudson River is a visual treat to those visiting our shorelines — and for those living in towers with river views. To them, the sloop must appear like a slow-moving 1800s oil painting as it sails on by, framed by their windows.
Built in the late 1960s as a replica of the Dutch cargo vessels that transported goods up and down the Hudson River during the 18th and 19th centuries, the Clearwater shares the cultural, historical, and educational core values that form the foundation of the Hudson River Park Trust. That is why the Trust along with other groups such as the Hudson River Foundation and the Chelsea Waterside Park Association have organized and funded trips from Chelsea Piers in support of the sloop. The excursions offer participants a fleeting glimpse of life as a crew member in past times, as the Clearwater lumbers past modern-day ferries, water taxis, tourists boats, tugs, barges, cruise ships, tankers, and the maritime patrols of the Coast Guard and NYPD.
Dave Conover, interim executive director of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc, headquartered in upstate Beacon, explained, “Finding dock space in the city has become very challenging.”
Besides Chelsea Piers, the Clearwater has found temporary berths at the South Street Seaport and the Brooklyn Bridge Park, but is mostly docked in the friendly and accommodating waters of the city parks department’s 79th Street Boat Basin. Conover said that Clearwater and the Hudson River Park Trust are currently discussing a potential permanent dock at Pier 26 at N. Moore Street.
Launched in 1969 by the late legendary folk singer Pete Seeger on a mission to clean up the Hudson, the Clearwater is undergoing the final stage of a major restoration. Since 2009, work during the winter months has been done to replace structural framing in both the bow and stern. This past winter, woodworkers turned their attention to the mid-ship.
“Because the Clearwater is a wooden boat and spends a lot of time in fresh water up river, that makes the wood vulnerable to decay,” Conover explained of the need to replace so much wood. “Most fungus that rots wood can’t thrive in salt water.”
This winter’s Clearwater restoration project — supervised by shipwrights, carpenters skilled in ship repair — included work on the centerboard trunk, hull reframing, and replanking. In order to ensure access to the wood, the sloop’s engine and fuel were temporarily removed.
Conover says, “Although much work will need to be done, our goal is to be back in the water by the end of May, followed by sessions of training the crew,” Conover said. “It will be ready for public sails by mid-to-late June.”
Conover noted that Clearwater’s sister ship, the Mystic Whaler, is coming online for cruises this month.
In restoring the sloop for another 50 years of sailing, the Clearwater has set a fundraising goal of $850,000. On April 29 at 6:30 p.m., Clearwater will hold a benefit concert, “All Hands on Deck,” planned as a tribute to Seeger, with performances by folk, country, bluegrass, and gospel bands. Tickets to the concert, which takes place at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West, are $20-$100, $10 for those 10 and under at buytickets.at/nycfriendsofclearwater/48803.
For more information on the sloop, visit clearwater.org.
