Eleanor Is Back on This Side of the River

When Gossips last reported on the status of the historic Hudson River sloop Eleanor, she was being moved from the space at 99 South Third Street, where her restoration had been going on for the past nine years, to Riverview Marina in Catskill, where her mast, rigging, and sails were installed. It was promised at the time that Eleanor would be back in Hudson before the summer was out.

Photo Louise Blisss

Early yesterday, with warnings of Tropical Storm Fay heading our way, Joe Kenneally sent out this email:

We have a reservation for storm dockage at the Hudson Power Boat. The storm is tracking up the Hudson River valley. The prediction is 5" of rain this weekend. The Catskill Creek takes all of the water out of the Catskill Mountains, along with the water there is usually much debris. . . . I will work on getting a person with a boat to assist in the transportation of Eleanor from Catskill to Hudson. The storm is not expected there until late tonight and last all weekend.

By early afternoon, Gossips learned the rest of the story from one of the participants:

. . . Scott Davis, Dock Master Hudson Power Boat Club approved of dockage for Eleanor. Joe Kenneally, Dennis Pitts, Chris Hoppe, and Louise Bliss sprang into action to bring Eleanor to Hudson. Thanks to Bill Palmer with his boat who followed Eleanor as an escort. Eleanor made it on her own to Hudson with her electric motor [and is now] safe in Hudson. [No one] will have to get up tonight and go over in a rain and wind storm and move Eleanor to an anchorage in the river. The word in the creek is, if in doubt, get out. That is what we did.

This morning, Gossips received this picture of the Eleanor on the river yesterday, passing the Hudson Athens Lighthouse.

Photo: Chris Hoppe