(Courtesy www.3DFlags.com)

Parade of Ships 10 Years Apart – July 2, 1977 and July 4, 1987

(Photos by Theodore W. Scull)

July 2, 1977 – 30 Years Ago in New York Harbor

1) The CUNARD PRINCESS and KAZAKHTSTAN share the south side of Pier 88. The ROTTERDAM’S twin uptakes are seen just to the right of Cunard Princess’ funnel and QUEEN ELIZABETH 2’s slim white and black stack rises just to the right of the ship’s bridge. Pier 86’s shed has been demolished.

2) A sign of the times along the North River waterfront reveals a smoky fire burning at one of the former New York Central Railroad car float and freight piers in the West 60s. Arson is suspected.

3) The OCEANIC, reversing into the North River and being carried south by the river’s flow, begins the parade of ships while the KAZAHKSTAN remains at the pier.

4) Seen through the Passenger Ship Terminal’s upper level windows, the DORIC, also carried downstream by the outgoing tide, reverses from her berth. The QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 is seen at the right.

5) With a Moran tug at the DORIC’s bow, a small fueling tanker eases away from the side of the KAZAHKSTAN.

6) With two tugs at the bow and another standing by at the end of Pier 86, the ROTTERDAM reverses into the river.

7) With smoke billowing from the stack, the KAZAHKSTAN leaves her berth shared with the CUNARD PRINCESS.

8) Now that the KAZAHKSTAN has sailed, it’s the CUNARD PRINCESS’ turn.

9) The ROTTERDAM sails downriver passing another collapsed and derelict North River pier.

10) Viewed from the Staten Island Ferry, from left to right, the KAZAHKSTAN, ROTTERDAM, DORIC and OCEANIC make their way south through Upper New York Bay to pass under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

11) From the Staten Island Ferry, the CUNARD PRINCESS is seen outbound in the Upper Bay.

12) The STATENDAM passes the Statue of Liberty outbound in the Upper Bay.

13) The QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, as the seventh and final departure of the day, reverses into the North River.
The liner is dressed with signal flags. A rare happening for QE2.

(Courtesy www.3DFlags.com)

July 4, 1987 – 20 Years ago

1) The HOMERIC is the first of four ships to sail this 4th of July 1987.

2) The Moran tug will carry away the HOMERIC’s docking pilot and the Sandy Hook pilot will now take over.

3) With a Moran tug at the bow, the BERMUDA STAR is beginning to move.

4) With passengers lining the rails, the BERMUDA STAR eases away from her berth.

5) A close up view of passengers standing on the decks beneath the aft starboard side lifeboat aboard the BERMUDA STAR.

6) A Moran tug takes charge of the BERMUDA STAR’s bow to aim her downriver at the beginning of a two-night and one-day transit to Bermuda.

7) The QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 is preparing to sail transatlantic for Southampton.
QE2 was re-engined during the winter of 1986-87 and now has quite a different look than she did in 1977.

8) The QE2 reverses into the North River.

9) A Moran tug works the QE2’s bow.

10) The docking pilot disembarks onto the Moran tug as the QE2 prepares to sail downstream on a five-night passage to England.

11) The STELLA SOLARIS, still taking on fuel, will be the last ship of the day to leave New York on July 4, 1987.