4. Pot Cove in Astoria Park Was Charted on Maps Centuries Ago


Although it is not explicitly stated, it is possible that Pot Cove was named after Pot Rock (simply known as “The Pot”), a notorious glacial boulder that caused numerous shipwrecks in Hell Gate (including the sinking of the HMS Hussar). It extended 130 feet across the channel of water with a tip arising up to eight feet at low tide; it’s even documented on maps dating back 250 years (see map here).

In 1832, Congress set aside $20,000 to remove the problematic rocks at Hell Gate; in total, it would cost $18,000 to blow up over 30,000 cubic feet of rock at Pot Rock, and the depth of water was consequently increased from 18.3 feet to 20.6 feet.

Also read about millions of dollars of gold lost in the sinking of the HMS Hussar nearby.