Closing Bell: Flat-bottomed in Red Hook
As part of New York’s quadracentennial celebration—marking 400 years since Henry Hudson landed here—a fleet of 20 Dutch historic flat-bottomed boats docked in Red Hook on Sunday. Festivities followed, organized by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and PortSide New York, and Red Hook residents…
As part of New York’s quadracentennial celebration—marking 400 years since Henry Hudson landed here—a fleet of 20 Dutch historic flat-bottomed boats docked in Red Hook on Sunday. Festivities followed, organized by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and PortSide New York, and Red Hook residents were able to greet the Dutch crews, enjoy the events, and, as A View from the Hook points out, “access the waterfront that is right at their doorstep.” This was, it seemed, as much of an appeal for some residents—or more, even—than the actual quadracentennial festivities.
Red Hook Welcomes Flat-bottomed Boats [View from the Hook]
Photo by Lost City
I’m doubly disappointed with you Brownstoner.
To say that “access the waterfront that is right at their doorstep was as much or more of the appeal than the boats” is inaccurate… and deeply cynical. If access to that waterfront were all that were required to attract several hundred people such as there were on Sunday, you would find several hundred people there every afternoon.
Whatever the visitors motives, PortSide wishes that Brownstoner had listed the event when we sent you news of it. It was approved so close to the date that there was not time for conventional media listings.
So who were the other Dutch sailors in town the last couple weeks? I understood they were going up the Hudson to Albany. My husband got smashing drunk with them at the Brooklyn Inn and scored a ticket to Albany. Maybe if I find these guys in the right bar I could score a ticket to Amsterdam.
The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway has been fighting for waterfront access at the Red Hook port for over ten years, yet they receive virtually no support from the Red Hook community.
I’m wondering how the hell we missed this. Went to Rocky Sullivan’s for beer and pizza, hit the garden store, Fairway, AND picked up a couple of frozen lime pie’s at Steve’s. Would have loved to have taken this in. Bummer.