Wednesday, May 31, 2006

A Trip on the Staten Island Ferry

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of the city of New York (the others are Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens). It is located southwest of Manhattan Island, cut off from the rest of the city by a 5.2 mile stretch of New York Bay (also known as New York Harbor).

Every day, 65,000 people travel between the Northernmost point of Staten Island and the Southern tip of Manhattan via the free-of-charge Staten Island Ferry. On a steamy hot day, the temptation of a free boat ride was irresistible.

If you begin the trip in Manhattan, as I did, you'll board at the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. Completed in 2004, it replaced a structure identical to the century-old Battery Martime Terminal that still stands next door. Approximately 25 minutes later you'll arrive at the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island, where the tourists and residents immediately part ways; the natives rush off to work, play and home, while the visitors simply turn around and catch the next ferry back to Manhattan.


Foreground, Battery Maritime Terminal (c. 1904), background, Whitehall Ferry Terminal (c. 2004) Posted by Picasa


Waiting for the ferry Posted by Picasa


Passing another ferry; background: Governor's Island Posted by Picasa


Catching a breeze near the statue Posted by Picasa


Approaching Staten Island Posted by Picasa


Pulling into the terminal Posted by Picasa


Staten Island: hazy, hot & humid Posted by Picasa


Outside the terminal Posted by Picasa


Exterior of Terminal Posted by Picasa


Running to the Manhattan-bound boat Posted by Picasa


The Statue of Liberty Posted by Picasa


Sailing on Posted by Picasa


Manhattan coming into view Posted by Picasa


Carly Simon called it "the New Jerusalem" Posted by Picasa


Terminal on the left, Brooklyn Bridge on the right Posted by Picasa


Pulling in to the terminal Posted by Picasa


The view from inside Posted by Picasa


Inside Whitehall Terminal Posted by Picasa

Let The River Run
We're coming to the edge
Running on the water
Coming through the fog
Your sons and daughters

Let the river run
Let all the dreamers
Wake the nation
Come, the New Jerusalem

Silver cities rise
The morning lights
The streets that lead them
And sirens call them on with a song

It's asking for the taking
Trembling, shaking
Oh, my heart is aching

-- Carly Simon, 1989

  • Staten Island Ferry

  • NYC Department of Transportation

  • Carly Simon: The New Jerusalem
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