I have a new adventure planned. I am going to sail my ass on a makeshift raft to
What is
I was playing around with Google Earth and was checking out Riker’s Island Penitentiary in detail. You can see the recreation yards and guard towers and all kinds of cool shit. In my mind I always pictured Riker’s to be one massive fortress. This is not the case. It’s a huge multi-facility compound. I didn’t know that.
Anyway, as I swung my aerial view back towards the city I came across a full blown island that I had never heard of.
I am going to fucking go there.
I’ve done a little research(see: I've become completely obsessed) and apparently there are all kinds of cool remnants lying around the ruins of the hospital units. Beds, old medical instruments, solitary cells, padded rooms, all kinds of awesome shit.
I am so fucking jazzed about this.
Rafts will be built. Intel will be gathered. Risks will be taken.
Being that this adventure is absurdly dangerous, I will be recruiting a few more adventurers to come along. The usual adventure crew will be invited--Warren, Sam & Mat. I also invited Tynan of BetterThanYourBoyfriend to jet out from
It’s getting cold, so this may have to wait until spring. We’ll see.
- A major nautical disaster occured in the East River in 1904 when a ship of daytrippers burned. Over 1,000 of the 1,300 passengers on board were killed. Their bodies washed up on the shore of North Brother Island, as did the ship. Photos and accounts of this are easily accessible with a google search.
- "Typhoid Mary" spent her last years quarantined in a private cottage on North Brother Island.
- Since it's abandonment over 45 years ago, the island and ruins are overgrown with vegetation/vines/ivy and it has become a sanctuary for rare birds.
Fuck, I just might spend the night.
Seriously, how nuts would it be to spend the night in "Typhoid Mary's" old private cottage?
35 comments:
I obviously accept the invitation.
If I lived closer I would just lend you one of our rafts...and of course come along to provide you daily meals and tuck you into your sleeping bags while singing sweet lullabies...
We've had our hand at a few flotation devices...let me know if I can help.
-amber
Whatever you do, we want photos and descriptions, please. How cool is that?!
Amber: I will most certainly be in touch.
Sister Mary Lisa: Goes without saying. There will be plenty of pictures... if the camera doesn't get wet.
Well...that sounds fun as hell.If you need help building a raft...I've got skills.
this is an awesome idea. bring cameras.
dude the waters in the east river are some of the most dangerous in the northeast. a raft will not cut it and if you tip over you are dead out there.
I don't even know you and I'd come along. I'll bring the booze.
Can I come? I'll bring snacks!
I'm with Anonymous.
Do a little research on Rikers prison breaks and I think you'll see what (s)he's talking about. Plus, if you don't actually end up capsizing and dying, there's a pretty good chance the NYPD will show up and haul your ass in front of a fairly unamused judge who is likely to try to charge you for the rescue. Stuff like that...
you're hot. shame about that relationship of yours...
A big fuck you to both anonymous's. I swim in the East River morning and then pour some of it over my cereal.
Don't naysay our fun.
zelda,
Thanks, yo.
That is absolutely fascinating, and I want to go.
I, too, have been recently intrigued by the strange off-limits Islands in the waters around New York (Hart Island has the City's Potter's Field and 1850s army buildings...)
you might be end up visiting rikers too!
take pictures! have fun with the typhoid
Holy craaaap, I went and googled more info about this place after reading your post... and I want to go now.
But how the hell are you going to make it over there? Like one of the other posters mentioned, the river has some crazy currents going on. I'd love to see you pull this off.
Good luck!
-patricia
Anonymouses always pee in my cereal too. If you canoe out there, will you pull me on an inflatable tube?
I've always wanted to raft over to Mill Rock Park. You can see the island from path along the East River at 92nd Street... if it wasn't the East River, you could swim to it.
We're totally staying overnight... may as well get the most mileage out of the adventure as possible. I'm supposed to go up to NY to do a pickup talk for the guys there, so we'll coordinate...
Tynan
Tynan,
Perfect, lemme know.
This is going to be awesome.
Can I pitch this to one of the Networks?
You might be able to get funding.
That's Potters field. The inmates do the burials.
you really need to check the currents to get there. i read a book from some urban explorers a while ago and they went there. said it had incredibly dangerous currents and they actually eventually had to get the coast guard involved to get them out there and back. just an fyi.
Doesn't it go without saying that you will be researching the velocity of the current, tides, flood, ebb and no doubt wind patterns along the river with the time of year you plan to set off...
...you may be crazy, butcha aint no ignoramus!
-amber
Yes, that definitely goes without saying.
The currents are the most dangerous part of the trip.
I have no intention of being billed for a Coast Guard rescue. I imagine that they are not cheap.
I don't know, I've always been partial to South Brother Island myself.
Amazing story, though. I can't believe one disaster wiped out an entire neighborhood in New York. Little did I know I lived in "Little Germany."
If the people in this article made it to North Brother Island, so can you. Note that they left at night and got there before daybreak to avoid being spotted:
http://www.tideandcurrenttaxi.org/trip1.htm
see also the main page of Tide and Current Taxi...
Try a boat though, not a raft.
anonymous,
I have already been in touch with the person that article is about. She is very friendly and is helping us figure out the tides and currents.
I'm five steps ahead of you, pal. What do you take me for?
Dude, can I come too? I'll bring my sense of adventure and my drinking boots. Zelda's on target: relationships are certainly a shame...
You are an idiot. The people who make it to the islands in the East/Hudson Rivers are professionals or have a boatload of experience. The currents in NYC are outrageous, normal boats have a hard time, a raft, no chance.
Once again, YOU ARE AN IDIOT.
I'm in the Coast Guard and I'm also stationed in New York. Trust me, you try to go to North Brother Island and we will, repeat and full emphasis on the word "will," not only see you, but we'll have assets out there (both Coast Guard and NYPD) that'll arrest you. Ever heard of FLIR? Forward looking infrared? That's one of our toys...get on that island and I guarantee you that you'll have nowhere to hang out or hide. Not saying any of this to be a prick, just telling you the truth and trying to save you some heartburn on down the road.
Hey. Me and a couple of freinds are planning the same thing. We got kayaks and canoes and are unexperienced. We also want to go in spring in 2007. Could you email me at drummerboy3847@hotmail.com
I wanna talk about planning and what precautions should be taken. Thanks
Did you ever make it out to North Brother Island? I've recently become obsessed with taking a trip out there. I am a photographer and the island seems quite photogenic. Please give me advice if your trip was a success...
tbleib@yahoo
Did you go? Was it cool. What was it like to be surrounded by all that history. Growing up in Europe I got to see lots of ruins and I just love imagining how it used to be, the people that lived there and other stuff. Wish I could have gone with you. My brother moved to NY so maybe one day. It is a shame that they just let it sit there and rust away. It would be a good tourist spot.
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