For Release: Friday, May 22, 2009
New York's 400th - River Day 2009
The Great River Day Flotilla
Historic Vessels and Modern Day Boats will Travel the Hudson River from New York Harbor to Albany for "River Day"
Commemorating the Voyage of Henry Hudson 400 Years Ago
Launch Date: June 6, 2009 (Blessing of the Fleet June 5)
What: In 1609, Henry Hudson and his ship, the Half Moon, with a crew of Dutch and English sailors, ventured up the Hudson River from New York Harbor to present day Albany, the first European exploration of the river that now bears his name.
In celebration of this historic event, the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Office will launch a "River Day" celebration, an opportunity for thousands of recreational boaters and history buffs to gather on the water for an eight-day journey up the Hudson River.
Who: Participating boats & ships include:
- The Onrust, a 17th century replica of the first ship built in New York. River Day marks the Onrust's maiden voyage.
- The Half Moon, a replica of Hudson's ship.
- Historic Tall Ships including the Sloop Clearwater and Schooner Mystic Whaler plus the Woody Guthrie, a wooden replica of an 18th-19th century Hudson River Ferry Sloop; the 1890's-style pilot Schooner Adirondack; the Manhattan, an open boat originally built as a life boat to explore the canals of Amsterdam; and the Shearwater, a classic Maine Schooner.
- Other participating boats include: The Circle Line; NYC Water Taxi; SeaTow; Launch 5; Coast Guard, the Discover Boating Cruiser and more.
- Escort from the sky - historic bi-planes will escort the flotilla from the Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
When/Where: The River Day celebration launches Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m. at the Statue of Liberty. The flotilla will spend eight days moving north on the Hudson, with stops scheduled at participating yacht clubs & marinas, cities and communities with special events & educational programs planned at each port. The tentative schedule is available at http://www.exploreny400.com/riverday.aspx
Media Opportunities:
Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m. - Photo, video & interview opportunities at the "Blessing of the Fleet." Participating River Day ships will line up for a pre-launch event at Manhattan Yacht Club in North Cove Marina.
Saturday, June 6 at 9 a.m. - Spectator boaters welcome. Register at: www.exploreny400.com
