• Build a replica of Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat
which became known as the "Clermont".
• Operational boat
• Ready to sail in time for 2007 anniversary
• Capture Saugerties attraction to its maritime history
• Establish a focal point for cultural tourism
• Establish living history museum
• The boat will be a significant part of 2009 Hudson Fulton
Champlain Celebration
Benefits to Region:
• Increased tourism
- -- Enhances historic high points of community
-- Building project and
-- Completed boat
• Visibility
• Educational opportunity
- -- School projects
-- Community in general
• Recognition
- -- World wide
-- Connect waterfront communities to each other and to the Hudson River
• Development of waterfronts
• Source of community pride
Project Description
Boat:
- - 150 Foot Flat Bottom Boat
- Steam Power - authentic reproduction
- Made from durable materials to reduce maintenance
Construction:
- - Planning
- Boat Structure
- Sail Rig
- Steam Engine
Funding:
- - Seed money
- Business Community
- Fund raisers (BBQ, Pancake breakfast etc.)
- Grants
- Both public and private grants
- Wide geographic area fundraising
Long Term Uses:
- - Floating Museum
- Functional Tourist Vessel
- Connection to other waterfront communities
- Traveling ambassador for Saugerties
- Waterfront celebrations
- NYC to Albany
- Tall Ships parades
History
• First commercially viable steamboat in the world
• Captained by Andrew Brink of Saugerties
• Built by Robert Fulton, financed by Robert Livingston and Robert Fulton
• Maiden voyage - August 18, 1807
- - New York City to Clermont
- Clermont to Albany
- Albany to Clermont
- Clermont to New York City
- Averaged 5 mph against wind and tide
• Built approximately 145 feet long
- - Lengthened to 150 feet in 1808 in Tivoli
• Proved that quick reliable transportation on river was commercially viable
• Many boats and an entire industry followed
• Steam power heralded the industrial revolution
• Named after Clermont Estate
1909 Celebration
• Joint celebration of tricentennial of Henry Hudson voyage and centennial of Clermont
• Full size Clermont replica built and operated
• State is advancing celebration idea again in 2009
• Clermont will be built. It should be built in Saugerties
• Other Boat Projects
• Baltimore, MD - Pride of Baltimore
• Groton, CT - Amistad
• Chestertown, MD - Sultana
• Wilmington, DE - Kalmar Nyckel
• Locally - Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and Half Moon (visit their Website)
Potential Organization
• Groups endorsing project
- - Town of Saugerties
- Saugerties Historical Society
- Saugerties Hudson River Partnerships
- Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy
- Village of Saugerties
- New York State Bridge Authority
- Saugerties Kiwanis
- Saugerties Senior Citizens Club #1 and #2
- The BlueKats
• Executive Committee
- - Oversees all committees
• Fund raising
• Research
• Site Committee
- - Find a Saugerties waterfront site
• Construction
- - Hull & Superstructure
- Sails & Rigging
- Power plant
• Operations
- - Ongoing use of boat
• Others as needed
Contacts
• Gary Bischoff - 246-6858, E-Mail
• Dave Minch - 246-2711, E-Mail
• Barbara Voerg
Illustration:"Robert Fulton's 'Clermont' on the Hudson," 1813, Courtesy of the L.N. Phelps Stokes Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
