Pages

Monday, January 2, 2023

"Making on an Iceboater"


from the Ray Ruge collection; Courtesy of the Hudson River Maritime Museum.


History Blogpost from the Hudson River Maritime Museum:

https://www.hrmm.org/history-blog/the-making-of-an-iceboater   

This is a  reminiscence written by  Ray Ruge in the 1980s, about his early memories of iceboating - part of the Ray Ruge collection at HRMM.  Pretty cool to hear the experiences of one who lived through the transition from the old stern steerers and on to sailing the "new" bow steerers. Ray went on to be a champion racer through the '30s and '40s, and spearheaded reestablishing the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club.  He is reflecting back on the days like the above picture, of races at Lake Hopatgong, in 1939.

Read more about Ray  here.  











Courtesy of Hudson River Maritime Museum  



Ray was good friends with Captain Frank Drake. Some of their letters from the 1940s can be read here.  


Ray Ruge (2nd from right) in 1973, at the launching of the restored Jack Frost, on Orange Lake.


Lots more History Blogs on Iceboating at HRMM : 

https://www.hrmm.org/history-blog/spaldings-winter-sports-ice-boats-and-scooters-1917