For Immediate Release: August 15, 2005
CANAL CORPORATION WELCOMES HISTORIC FIREBOAT
Director Announces New Waterford Docks
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, today joined with local Waterford officials to welcome the historic New York City Fireboat John J. Harvey to the Erie Canal at a press conference at the Waterford Canal Harbor.
The John J. Harvey is making the stop as part of the annual “Blue Links” tour. The tour, made in part possible by a $30,000 grant from the Department of State, helps highlight the need along the Hudson River for docking and waterfront infrastructure improvements, such as the Canal Harbors and Service Ports developed along the Canal system through Governor George E. Pataki’s Canal Revitalization Program.
At a press conference with John J. Harvey officials, Waterford Mayor J. Bert Mahoney, and Waterford Town Supervisor Jack Lawler, Mantello also announced continued improvements to the docking infrastructure at the Waterford facility. Beginning this week, Canal Corporation and Town of Waterford workers will begin installing three new sections of floating docks, which will provide 45’ more feet of docking.
"Waterford is a great gateway, and the Canal Corporation believes it is absolutely vital that boaters find the necessary infrastructure to safely dock and enjoy this historic community," Mantello said. "Waterford officials have expressed the need for more docking, and we’re moving forward on their request. The Canal Corporation is anxious to move forward with improvements along the canal in communities along the system in the coming months."
Waterford Mayor J. Bert Mahoney said, "The addition of these new docks will allow even more people to enjoy this beautiful waterfront, and to visit the oldest incorporated village in America."
Waterford Town Supervisor Jack Lawler added, “It's all about partnerships, and we've got a great partner in the Canal Corporation. We look forward to even more improvements to this historic waterway, not just in Waterford, but all across this great state."
A local hire boat operator will permit the three sections from the Canal Corporation as a home base for two of his fleet of four hire boats. Richard Powell, of Erie-Champlain Canal Boating Company, is excited about his business remaining in Waterford.
“Waterford is the Gateway to two great canals: the Erie and the Champlain,” Powell said. “It also retains the 19th century canal town charm that my out-of-state and out-of-country customers expect and enjoy.”
The extra docks will mean additional docking for boaters visiting Waterford, according to Harbormaster Dick Hurst. “Mr. Powell’s boats will not occupy any of the existing docks, and when his boats are not here we will be able to accommodate two more boats carrying people ready to visit our downtown and spend money,” Hurst said. “We are pleased to partner with the Canal Corporation in this vital improvement to the Waterford Canal Harbor.”
Built for the New York City Fire Department in 1931, the same year the Empire State Building and the George Washington Bridge were completed, the 130’ foot long vessel has had a long and distinguished career serving New Yorkers. When launched, she was the largest and most powerful fireboat in the world. After many years of dedicated and exemplary service, the John J. Harvey was retired from active service in 1995. Declared surplus by the City of New York in 1999, she was purchased at auction by a group of 17 individuals committed to restoring the Harvey to her former glory, and beginning a new chapter as a museum and teaching vessel.
The dark days following the tragedy of September 11, 2001 featured many heroes, perhaps none quite so unlikely as this great boat so narrowly saved from the scrap heap. After helping evacuate lower Manhattan, the crew was notified that almost all regular fire hydrant pressure in the area had been wiped out. The Harvey promptly moored along the seawall and put its pumps in service, providing desperately needed fire-fighting water to the area continuously for the next four days. Along with the NYC Fireboats McKean and Fire Fighter, the Harvey provided the only fire-fighting water to New York’s Bravest. During this time, the Harvey was officially put back into service with the Fire Department under her old call sign: Marine 2.
In 2004, the John J. Harvey was awarded $320,000 by Governor George E. Pataki through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund to make major improvements and repairs to the vessel. After three weeks of extensive work this spring, the Harvey was re-launched in June of 2005.
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In late May 2005, Governor Pataki unveiled his vision for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway and, ultimately, the Empire State Greenway, connecting the Niagara, Erie and Hudson River Greenways. The Canal Corporation and an interagency task force will conduct an outreach campaign to gather input and ideas, and develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new Erie and Empire State Greenways and examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation. The recommendations will be delivered in a report to the Governor by December 2005.
The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.
For more information about NYS Canals, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us.
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