Past HRIYC commodore (2013-2014) Chris Kendall, recounts his first sails on a Hudson River ice yacht. This originally appeared in Bard College's magazine Annandale, in 1993. Chris' yacht "999" is currently on display at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park NY.
The 999 was owned by George Bodenstein, the last of the family to own and operate the Staatsburgh Ice Tool Company, in Staatsburgh, NY, the small hamlet just north of Hyde Park. It was was named for the famous locomotive, the "999", of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, that was clocked at a speed of 112 miles per hour in 1893.
It is likely that she was built shortly after 1893. It is built along the style of the siderail design and uses iron rods for its rigging. 999 is maintained and sailed by former commodore, Chris Kendall, Rhinebeck.
Length: 26' 10" Plank: 13' Sail Area: 230 sq ft. Year: circa 1895
Blast from the past. Fact checkers in the HRIYC went back to the archives to be sure this wasn't a piece of fiction. Since Chris mentioned it, we found evidence of "the Wreck of the 999".
Chris readies 999 for a sail in brisk winds; winter 1992, Tivoli South Bay.
Pesky cracks along the outflow of the Sawkill?
Cushions, sails, safe, passengers dry!
AND, 30 years ago, another past commodore, Bob Wills, reflects on a memorable long distance sail from Rhinecliff to Germantown. Read Bob's story here (spoiler alert: he doesn't end up in the river...)
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