Yankee (ferry)

Infobox nrhp
name =Machigonne
nrhp_type = nrhp

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|300px|Yankee ferry
caption =
location = Hudson River, Hoboken North, New Jersey (temporary)
area =
built =
architect =
architecture =
added = December 3, 1992cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
refnum = 92001610 [http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/ships/lists/typ_2efe.htm Historic Ships to Visit] , National Park Service - Maritime Heritage Program.]
mpsub =
governing_body = private owner

"Yankee" (also known as "Machigonne") [Although the vessel has been known as "Yankee" for over 60 years, the National Register of Historic Places lists the ship by its historic name of "Machigonne".] is an early-20th century steel hulled ferry which is registered as an historic vessel with the National Register of Historic Places . As of 2006 it was berthed in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Operational history

Described as unusually luxurious for a day-voyaging vessel, [http://www.thevillager.com/villager_29/historicferryowner.html Historic ferry owner will go from ship to shore] , "The Villager", Volume 73, Number 29 (November 19 - 25, 2003).] "Yankee" was built in 1907 by the Philadelphian shipbuilding company Neafie & Levy for the Casco Bay and Harpswell Line.cite DANFS | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/./m1/machigonne.htm | title = Machigonne | accessdate = 2008-07-24 ] There is some confusion about her original name, with some sources listing it as "Dida". It is unclear however, if the ship ever operated under that name, since she is commonly referred to as "Machigonne" from an early point in her career.

"Machigonne" began her service life ferrying passengers between Portland, Maine and the Calendar Islands in Casco Bay. In 1913, she was sold to the Nahant Steamship Line of Boston, Massachusetts, and used on the Boston, Nahant and Pines Island route. [http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=5759 "Machigonne/Yankee"] , National Register of Historic Places Registration, pp. 6-7.]

Following America's entry into World War I, "Machigonne" was acquired by the U.S. Navy on October 2 1917 under charter, and commissioned May 15 1918 as USS "Machigonne" (SP-1043). During the war, the ship was armed with two one-pounder guns for defense, and used to transport men and supplies between Boston and Bumpkin Island Training Station.

After the end of hostilities, USS "Machigonne" was decommissioned and resumed commercial service. In 1921, the ship was purchased by John E. Moore and transferred to New York Harbor. For the next eight years, "Machigonne" was used to ferry newly arriving immigrants from their incoming ships to Ellis Island, and thenceforth to the mainland. These immigrants, many of whom were kept below decks on their transatlantic voyage, are said to have obtained their first views of New York City from the decks of "Machigonne". In this period, the ship was also used to ferry tourists to the Statue of Liberty.

In 1929, the ship was sold to a Captain Daniel F. McAllister, and renamed "Hook Mountain". For the next ten years she operated as a tour boat, carrying passengers from Battery Park to Bedloe's Island and Governors Island. "Hook Mountain" was sold to a Rhode Island company in 1939, and renamed "Block Island". She may have also operated under the name "League Island" during this period. [ [http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/neafie.htm Neafie & Levy] , shipbuildinghistory.com.] In 1947, the vessel was renamed "Yankee" and used to transport vacationers from Providence to Block Island, a task that apparently continued for several decades. It was during this period that the ship's original steam propulsion was replaced by diesel. [From an episode of the TV program "World's Most Extreme Homes", see video tour in External links section.] The vessel was finally retired from commercial service sometime in the 1980s, after which it was neglected and became a target for vandals.

Restoration

In 1990, the by-now dilapidated "Yankee" was bought by a private citizen, Jim Gallagher, who towed it to Pier 25, Tribeca, Manhattan where he began working on its restoration. In an unusual arrangement, Gallagher was permitted by the local authorities to live on the boat in order to continue with his work. To help pay for the job, Gallagher rented the boat out to weddings and parties. The vessel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=5759 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration: Ferryboat Machigonne / Yankee|date=June 5, 1992 |accessdate=2008-07-24 |author=John A. Bonafide |publisher=New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation "Note:" This includes cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=5760 |title=Accompanying four photos, from 1992 and cite web|url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=5758 |title=Accompanying nomination correspondence]

In 2003, Gallagher sold the boat to new owners who pledged to continue with the restoration work. In 2006 the boat was moved to Hoboken, New Jersey while the local council carried out an upgrade to Pier 25. [http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_141/collectordiscoversearly.html Collector discovers early color slide of the Yankee] , "Downtown Express", Volume 18 • Issue 36 (January 20 - 26, 2006)] Although operational, the boat is apparently not used for actual voyages since it lacks a seaworthiness certificate.

"Yankee" is one of several vessels built by Neafie & Levy to be either still operational or operating until very recently. Another Neafie & Levy vessel that is still operational and on the National Register of Historic Places is the tugboat "Jupiter". A third vessel, the tugboat "Tuff-E-Nuff" (originally the "Thomas Cunningham Sr."), built in 1895, was remarkably still in commercial service in its original role as of May 2007.cite web|url=http://www.coltoncompany.com/newsandcomment/news/2007/05.htm |title=ANYONE GOT A HOME FOR AN OLD TUGBOAT? |date=May 4, 2007 |accessdate=2008-07-26|work= |publisher=Colton Company]

Footnotes and references

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLXwm8_AkkI Video tour of the "Yankee"] .