Atlantic Highlands to Port Washington, NY

Awakened by a brief thunderstorm this morning, and had our coffee a bit earlier than planned. After checking the weather and radar decided to go ahead and get ready to sail through NYC to Manhasset Bay on Long Island. The timing with the tides was of utmost importance, especially going through what is referred to as Hell Gate……a narrow tidal strait in the East River in New York City.

It separates the borough of Queens from Wards Island. Some history on the name originated from a Dutch phrase “Hellegat”, which could mean either “hell’s hole” or “bright gate/passage” which was originally applied to the entirety of the East River. This strait was described in a 1614 journal of the Dutch explorer, Adriaen Block, who was the first European known to have navigated the strait. Because the early explorers found it hazardous to navigate this place of rocks and converging tide-driven currents (from the Long Island Sound, Harlem River strait, and the Upper Bay of NY Harbor) the earlier name stuck.

By the late 1800’s hundreds of ships had sunk in the strait. In 1851, and continuing over the next 70 years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to clear the dangerous rocks with explosives.  And so we had this to look forward to…………

It was an easy passage, thanks to the diligent studying of the ELDRIDGE Tide and Pilot Book by my husband. This has become a trusted guide, listing all the current (pun?) East Coast waters.  Either it’s found on the chart table, or in the cockpit, along with our charts for the local area.

         Leaving the upper New Jersey seacoast shortly after 9, we headed directly towards the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. (Last evening you could see the bridge lit up with a garland of lights........would have been a great picture except for the fog that had set in on our anchorage.)The bridge is named for a 1524 explorer, Giovanni da Verrazzano, (notice the difference in spelling of last name).  His ship anchored in what is now called The Narrows (the strait between Staten Island and Long Island that connects the Upper and Lower New York Bay).  Unbelievable history in this area…….making for interesting travels for me.

                           
                                                                     
Will we make this?

                                          The V-N Bridge on the Staten Island side of the NY Bay


            The Lower New York Bay is where Sandy Hook, NJ across from Rockaway Point, NY meets the Atlantic Ocean, and extends up to the V-N Bridge. The Upper New York Bay continues north of here to the mouth of the Hudson River, near Manhattan. This is one of the largest natural harbors in the world. As you can imagine a very busy port as well, with numerous cargo ships and tugs just anchored off the lower Manhattan Island and the Liberty State Park.

Barge in the NY Bay Harbor.....busy harbor with barges moving and at anchor

           Tim got me up close and personal for some great shots of the Statue of Liberty

       Lower Manhattan......we headed up the East River, which is on the right side of this picture, to go through Hell Gate as mentioned earlier.

Empire State Building, from the East River

We arrived at our destination, Manhasset Bay, after a long day of motoring up the East River. What a lovely spot, tucked in the Long Island Sound, in the township of Port Washington. Surprisingly empty for a Friday of a holiday week about to unfold.

Later in the evening I was treated to not one, but two fireworks displays, one after the other (35 minutes worth!!) from neighboring townships……..breathtaking when viewed from the water. Lots of horns were blowing at the end from neighboring boaters.