Congressman Maurice Hinchey on Hand to See Efforts to Preserve America’s Environmental Flagship

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater hosted an open house on Saturday, January 23, 2010 in Saugerties, NY at Lynch’s Marina for media professionals and elected officials to see the extent of renovations being made to the historic sloop Clearwater this winter. Both of the sloop’s captains, Samantha Heyman and Nicholas Rogers, talked about the aggressive preservation project that includes the opening of the sloop’s bow and replacement of a number of planks and frames.

Sloop Bow Opened Up for Renovations / Winter 2010

     “These repairs will reinforce the structural integrity of the sloop and ensure that it sails for another forty years,” said Jeff Rumpf, executive director of Clearwater.

     About two dozen people braved chilly morning temperatures along the Esopus Creek, where the sloop is presently hauled, and heard remarks from Allan Shope, president of Clearwater’s board of director, and US Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), who has used his position on the House Appropriations Committee to secure $150,000 for the preservation efforts as part of the fiscal year 2010 Interior Appropriations bill.

     “The Clearwater is a unique vessel that serves as a link to the Hudson River’s rich maritime history,” Hinchey said. “I was pleased to secure federal funding to help pay for  structural repairs that were long overdue and will finally be conducted this winter. The Clearwater serves the community as an excellent education resource and is an important part of history.”

Captains Nick Rogers and Samantha Heyman with Cong. Hinchey

     The sloop preservation project is also being funded by a substantial matching grant from the New York State Office of Parks and Historic Preservation.

     It should be noted that Clearwater received a number of bids and offers from boat repair specialists around the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions but chose to keep the job in the Hudson Valley, with Jim Kricker of Rondout Woodworking in Kingston, NY leading the project.

     The last major renovation of the sloop was performed in 1976, and a lot of the original woodwork has been untouched over the years. Seeing the bow opened up, which has made visible the intricate web of framing boards, was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those assembled. The focused, skilled work on the bow will provide high-quality repairs for a section of the sloop that sees an enormous amount of stress while sailing, said Capt. Rogers.

     The sloop Clearwater is listed on the National Register for Historical Places.