South Street Seaport New York

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20th January



New York - South Street Seaport



Positioned along the East River and tucked just below the Brooklyn Bridge.



South Street was at one time completely underwater. The island was largely uninhabited until Dutch settlers arrived in the Seventeenth century.

The water around the island was deep enough to accommodate the larger ships of that time, which made this an ideal location for world trade.



The seaport’s first counting houses were built beginning at the end of the Eighteenth Century. A “counting house” is what we recognize today as an office, shop, or warehouse, before these counting house, business was conducted from a person’s home. The row of twelve brick warehouses with chimneys still stand.

Patrick & Aaron gave lots of interesting details about all the historic buildings as we continued our tour.



The Titanic memorial lighthouse was originally erected in 1913. It stood on the roof of the old Seamen’s Church the time ball on the top of the lighthouse would drop down the pole to signal twelve noon to the ships in the harbor. This time ball mechanism was the inspiration behind the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball!



The Bridge Cafe in Water Street claims to be The Oldest Drinking Establishment in New York, a building that formerly housed a brothel & we heard tales of some very weird & wonderful goings on over the years.



We reached the pier with stunning views of Brooklyn & that iconic bridge.



The Wavertree ship, now part of the South Street Seaport Museum, was launched in Southampton. The ship is the largest remaining wrought iron vessel. Initially it was used for transporting jute from East India to Scotland. In 1947 it was converted into a sand barge and in 1968 it was acquired by the Museum.



Another great tour with Aaron & Patrick made even better by a wonderful sunset.

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