Two Historic Ships Sunk Within One Week

An incident that left the maritime community in mourning occurred in the Red Hook neighborhood of New York, where two historic sailing vessels belonging to the same company capsized just days apart. The 1924 racing schooner named 'Pilot' was submerged in the waters at Henry Street Basin on the night of 1 July, and its condition was discovered the following morning. Following this, it was revealed that 'Victory Chimes', a much larger vessel built in 1900 and designated as a National Historic Landmark, also sank on the morning of 5 July. The fact that both ships sank in less than a week at the maintenance facility where they were anchored awaiting restoration deeply saddened local maritime volunteers and history enthusiasts. This incident also sparked discussions regarding the preservation and maintenance of old ships.

The vessels in question belonged to brothers Alex and Miles Pincus from Crew NY, a company aimed at preserving historic sailing ships. The company not only kept maritime history alive but also operated popular waterfront restaurants such as The Yacht Club and Montero Bar & Grill. In fact, one of these, the ship 'Pilot', was being used by the company to operate as an oyster bar. However, it was learned that both vessels had actually been out of use for some time and were waiting at the maintenance facility in Red Hook to be restored. In a statement from the mariners, it was noted as a comforting detail that no one was injured in the incidents that caused the ships to sink within days.

When the submersion of the first sinking ship, Pilot, was discovered, it was observed that the restaurant seating arrangement was still inside. Brad Vogel, a member of a local canoe club, had warned that the situation was worsening, noting that the ships had been neglected for months and rotting was spotted in their wooden parts. On an observation made on 3 July, Vogel noticed that the masts of the Victory Chimes were still standing upright. However, as a result of a severe storm hitting the city that night, Victory Chimes, also known as 'Domino Effect', which originated from Maine, was also submerged in the waters on the morning of 5 July. Vogel stated that as of 6 July, only the masts of the ships were above the water and barriers were used to prevent the spreading oil around.

A company spokesperson attributed the sinking of Victory Chimes to a severe storm that hit New York Harbor, lasting from Friday night into Saturday morning. It was announced that due to the storm's impact, the ship began taking on water and eventually sank completely next to the Pilot. However, Vogel, who regularly observes the waters, believes the situation may not solely be due to bad weather. Noting that there could be many different reasons for an old boat to sink, Vogel questioned the possibility of other structural factors lying behind the sinking of both Pilot and Victory Chimes in less than a week. This situation raised questions about whether the routine maintenance of the ships had been neglected.

Following the incidents, the company Crew called maritime salvage experts to the area and began making plans on how to safely raise the sunken ships to the surface. The experts also took action to determine the exact cause of the ships' sinking and to assess the damage sustained by the hulls. Company officials stated that they held out hope that both vessels could be rescued and restored, emphasizing their efforts to prevent the loss of historical heritage. Maritime enthusiasts and city residents are following the fate of these unique ships with both anxiety and hope. The fate of these two vessels, so significant to New York's water culture and historic maritime heritage, will become clear in the coming days.