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Tag: East River

Sir Winston

Sir Winston

Sir Winston
Photo: audacy.com

On the afternoon of October 17, the 35 meter long sightseeing sternwheeler passenger ship Sir Winston (MMSI: 368333930) allided on the East River near Williamsburg Bridge in New York.  The Sir Winston was attempting to berth at a pier when it lost propulsion when an air valve broke and the vessel went adrift.

The Sir Winston drifted towards a private dock and asked for assistance, but the people on the dock refused to assist the sternwheeler. The vessel continue to drift down the river when it struck a railway barrier near the bridge. Authorities received a distress call with the New York Fire Department along with the United States Coast Guard responding.  The 75 meter long tugboat Henry Girls (MMSI: 368327980) was dispatched to assist. The tug towed the sternwheeler to Pier 36 safely. There were no injuries to the 50 passengers and 5 crew on board the Sir Winston.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

 

 

Cuauhtémoc

Cuauhtémoc

 

Cuauhtémoc 
Photo: x.com

On the evening of May 17, the 90 meter long, 1755 dwt barque Cuauhtémoc allided on the East River off Brooklyn, New York.  The Cuauhtémoc had departed from the South Street Seaport with 277 crew on board when it suffered a mechanical breakdown having the vessel going astern. Pulled by the current, the Cuauhtémoc struck the Brooklyn Bridge with its masts.

The Brooklyn Bridge had a clearance of 127 feet, but the masts of the Cuauhtémoc reached a height of 147 feet. The result was all three masts sustained damaged with parts of the mast toppling over. Two crew members were killed and another 20 were injured from the incident.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. News reports stated a tugboat was supposed to help the sailing ship leave its berth, but failed to keep the Cuauhtémoc under control. This suggests the tug was under powered or positioned incorrectly to keep the sailing ship from striking the bridge. Other accounts state the Cuauhtémoc may have suffered an electrical fault just after it left the pier.

The Cuauhtémoc was taking part in a goodwill voyage for the Mexican Navy and was bound for Iceland before the incident. More information about the vessel can be found here.

Jewel

Jewel

Jewel
Photo: twitter

On September 8, the 25 meter long passenger ship Jewel caught fire on the East River near Governors Island, New York. While on a cruise with 90 passengers and 4 crew, a fire started in the vessel’s engine room.  The crew alerted authorities who dispatched several rescue vessels to the scene. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated from the vessel and transported to lower Manhattan.  No reports of injuries. Reports state the fire was later extinguished and the vessel was taken under tow back to port. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.