Classic Harbor Line’s Urban Naturalist Tour
“Discovering New York’s Forgotten Isles:
A Unique Cruise Experience” – Hal C Clarke
TJV News reports on our exciting new cruise! Read the article here.
Experience New York City like never before with Classic Harbor Line’s Urban Naturalist Tour, offering an up-close look at the forgotten islands along the East River. These islands are teeming with history, having hosted baseball stars, maritime disasters, wildlife sanctuaries, and deadly diseases.
Our tour begins at the tiny Belmont Island. Then navigates past Roosevelt and Randall’s Islands before reaching Mill Rock at the Harlem River’s mouth. Next, we venture through Hell Gate to North and South Brother Islands; home to idyllic serene shorebird sanctuaries with a storied past.
Guided by naturalist Gabriel Willow, you’ll hear captivating tales of these islands’ inhabitants, including Typhoid Mary and former Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert. Following Ruppert, he owned a summer home on South Brother Island, where Babe Ruth often practiced batting. Ruppert is known for transforming the Yankees by bringing Babe Ruth to the team and building Yankee Stadium. The mansion burned down in 1909, and the island remained largely abandoned until it was transformed into a bird sanctuary in 2007.
You’ll also learn about the eerie remains of the quarantine hospital on North Brother Island, where Typhoid Mary spent her final years. Both islands now thrive as seabird sanctuaries, however they are now untouched by human activity.
The tour continues past Mill Rock, a fortified position during the War of 1812, now a nature educational center, and Belmont Island, created during tunnel construction beneath the river. Finally, the tour coincides with the sunset. The cruise offers stunning views of the city illuminated by night, providing a beautiful contrast to the natural stillness of the river islands.
Don’t miss this unique journey through New York’s hidden historical gems.
A $124 ticket includes a glass of champagne and a sandwich, making for a perfect evening on the water. Running every Sunday through July, this three-hour cruise aboard a 1920s-style yacht promises an adventure through time.
Book your ticket today and bring binoculars to enhance your experience.