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Clearwater’s story began in 1966, when a handful of Hudson Valley
residents came together believing that by learning to care for one boat on one
river, the public could come to care for all our threatened waterways. And what
better boat for the job than a replica of the vessels which were once a much
more common sight on the Hudson.
The sloop was launched three years later on May 17, 1969 in South Bristol,
Maine. In the years since, Clearwater has traveled to towns and cities along
the Hudson, New York Harbor, and Long Island Sound.
Clearwater is a work boat. Sailing from town to town, she models her course
after the Dutch sloops of the 18th and 19th centuries. These cargo vessels were
specially designed for the variable winds, currents and depths of the Hudson.
Their cargoes and crews were the main communication link between river-front
towns and outlying areas which now house one-tenth of this nation’s
population.
Reuben Ranzo
Traditional - 104K
Clearwater, a replica of the original
sloops,
continues the tradition of these
vessels as a vital link between communities. But instead of food-stuffs and
mail, Clearwater carries a message to this 20th century community. To the
people who see her broad sails from the shore, the message is a poignant
reminder of the potential beauty and wealth of our region’s much-abused
and neglected waterways. To the people who sail on her, the message is more
intense. Vital knowledge about the river, the harbor and the sound is shared.
The shore—your home—seen from the water gains a new meaning, a new
importance. Skylines—where mountain contours melt into a potpourri of
architectural styles—remind us of the millions of people who could be using
the shore and the water for close-to-home recreation and commerce. |
On Deck -
BELOW DECK
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Clearwater’s cargo is people. Her work is making them care. |
