9 August 2004
Historic Fireboat John J. Harvey To Visit Newburgh as part of Fourth Annual Blue Links Tour
Tourists often walk along Newburgh’s East End, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. But how many times does one of the Register’s listings visit us? On August 21, the historic Fireboat John J. Harvey, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will dock at Newburgh Landing as part of the Fourth Annual Blue Links Tour.
The tentative schedule for August 21 is as follows:
August 21, 2004, Saturday, Kingston to Cold Spring
Stops in: Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh
0830 depart Kingston
0900 arrive Rhinecliff
0915 depart Rhinecliff
1130 arrive Poughkeepsie
1145 Poughkeepsie public trip
1245 depart Poughkeepsie
1445 arrive Newburgh
1500 Newburgh public trip
1600 depart Newburgh
1800 arrive Cold Spring
The Blue Links campaign aboard the John J. Harvey is sponsored by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Save Our Ships New York. The campaign is aimed at resuscitating and rebuilding the infrastructure of piers, docks, etc. which made the
Hudson River a vital highway for people and goods. According to the Blue Links organizers, restoration and renewal of these "links" could help unleash enormous potential for local and river-based economic development. As a part of this campaign, the organizers are conducting a river-long reconnaissance to compile a comprehensive list of river infrastructure improvements that they believe should be included in the upcoming Federal Transportation Bill.
The John J. Harvey was built in 1931 for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). It fought hundreds of fires until it eventually was retired. Destined for the scrap heap, it was rescued by preservationists and volunteers.
On September 11, 2001, the John J. Harvey was pressed into service as Marine Company Two by the FDNY. After helping to evacuate some 150 people trapped on a seawall near the Battery, the Harvey moved to the disaster site to pump water since the hydrants were not working. It remained in that position until Friday, its crew of volunteers working tirelessly in many capacities to aid the rescue effort.
Now, the John J. Harvey is in need of some rescue itself. On May 14, Bernadette Castro, N.Y. State commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation awarded the John J. Harvey a $320,000 matching funds grant for its restoration and preservation. Volunteers are currently embarked on a major fundraising effort to match this generous grant to ensure the survival of the historic vessel.
On a more personal level, Blue Links has created an outreach program to children’s homes in the Hudson Valley. For example, in Cold Spring, 35 children will be boarding the John J. Harvey for the trip home to Poughkeepsie.
John J. Harvey is providing a free round-trip public trip beginning and ending in Newburgh, as well as free one-way trips arriving into or departing from Newburgh. For more information on the John J. Harvey, free public trips, or the Blue Links mission, visit the website at www.fireboat.org for specific tour times and locations. The public is also invited to submit emails with ideas for where Blue Links should be made.
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