The U. S. Coast Guard's "Eagle" leading the parade on its downward leg.
The Half Moon
Participates in OP-Sail 2000
OP-Sail 2000 visited New York Harbor during the first week of July 2000, and the Half
Moon was a full participant. Our elegantly restored ship received enormous press
coverage, including front page and page three placement in the New York Post, and
spectacular full page (page 4) and color centerfold (pages 32 & 33) in the NY Daily
News' special supplement on OP-Sail. Perhaps it was our historical connection to the
Hudson River and NY State or just competent photo editorial staff people, but no ship
received greater photo coverage, measured by either number of images or total square
inches of photographic coverage.
According to OP-Sail officials, over 300 ships in total participated in some way. Over 50
Class A and Class B ships were featured in the "Parade of Sail." They started
from below the Verrazano Bridge and made way through NY Harbor and up the Hudson to the
George Washington Bridge, where they turned around and proceeded to their respective
berths throughout NY harbor. Tidal and river flow conditions forced some ships to curtail
their runs up the river, but the Half Moon made it all the way up to the Washington Bridge
turnaround where we saluted the crowds with swivel gun and cannon fire.
On a mild, hazy, almost foggy day, The Half Moon traveled in position 14,
with Uruguay's "Capitan Miranda." We berthed on the Hudson at
the well-managed 23rd street Chelsea Piers complex, where crowds swelled to welcome us.
Departing midday on July 5th, we made our way upriver to Yonkers and the Hudson River
Museum to open their "Boats on the Hudson" exhibition which will run through the
summer of 2000. Our OP-Sail photo gallery captures some images of the week.
OP-Sail Photo Gallery
The U. S. Coast Guard's "Eagle" leading the
parade on its downward leg.
Half Moon through mist is visible above a man with white hat and red
shirt. We sail astern of Uruguay's "Capitan Miranda" and ahead
of Chile's "Esmerelda."
High magnification telephoto of Half Moon coming upriver.
Telephoto of Half Moon passing Pier 62 at 23rd Street, our eventual
berthing site.
Half Moon passing 28th Street and Japan's "Kaiwo Maru"
(King of the Sea) on its downriver leg.
Uruguay's "Capitan Miranda"
Chile's "Esmerelda."
Japan's "Kaiwo Maru" (King of the Sea).
The Dutch ship "Eendracht" passing 23rd Street.
The Dutch ship "Oosterschelde" passing 23rd Street.
Crowds press against the fence as we arrive at Chelsea Piers.
A quiet sunset interlude prior to the fireworks at Chelsea Piers.
From our arrival vantage point, fireworks light up the sky.
An airburst overhead during the fireworks.
The Half Moon on the Hudson near Yonkers, NY
The Half Moon arrives at the Hudson River Museum.
Our volunteer crew being interviewed for a Westchester TV Station.
Our loyal, overworked volunteer crew waves "Hello."
Questions? Comments? E-mail info@newnetherland.org