Quadricentennial Flotilla Part II

A continuation of last week's account of the Quadricentennial Flotilla:

My first viewing of the Quadricentennial Flotilla was at Clermont State Historic Site, where I work as the curator of collections. As the "home of the steamboat," Clermont was a most appropriate place to view the flotilla. In 1807, Robert Fulton and Robert R. Livingston's "North River Steam-Boat" made a stop at Clermont during its maiden voyage up the Hudson. In 1909, New York City and various riverfront towns held the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, in honor of 300 years since Hudson's voyage, and the centennial of the steamboat. The 1909 celebration also featured a flotilla, which included replicas of the North River Steam-Boat and the Half Moon. On its way up the river, the flotilla paused at Clermont.

This year, a number of visitors came to Clermont to view the flotilla (many of whom were playing hookey from work or school!), picnic baskets in hand. The flotilla was scheduled to arrive at noon, so at 11:30, I presented a short lecture on the boats and the relationship of the 2009 Quadricentennial with the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration.

After the lecture, we waited for the boats... and waited... and waited... They left Kingston, where they docked overnight at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, about an hour late, and finally arrived at Clermont about two hours late-- good thing everyone had those picnics! We had been worried about the weather, but were lucky to have no rain, and even a little sun-- it was a beautiful day to sit outside and wait for the boats.

The coast guard boat that led the flotilla:


The John J. Harvey fireboat puts on a demonstration at the Saugerties Lighthouse:

The Half Moon on its way upriver:

The Half Moon again, and the Launch 5 just behind it:

Some of the crowd gathered to watch the boats:

Some of Clermont's tour guides and their families spot the Clearwater:

The Clearwater passing by:

The John J. Harvey Fireboat pulls up into "Livingston Chanel," so the crowd could get a closer look...

and it put on a demonstration in front of Clermont too...

the crowd waves, and oohs and ahhs in appreciation.

The Onrust, followed by the Governor Cleveland:

One last look at the boats, on their way to Catskill: