3. You Can Go Inside the Hull of a Ship
At the South Street Seaport, you can see New York City’s rich maritime history come to life in the many remnants of the old port of New York. The Wavertree, a cargo ship built in 1885, is one such remnant you can interact with. The Wavertree first arrived in New York City in 1895 on its way to Calcultta with a load of jute on board.
In 1968, the South Street Seaport Museum acquired the Wavertree and after a 16-month, $13 million restoration at Caddell’s Dry Dock and Repair Co. on Staten Island, it was finally opened to the public in 2016. The Wavertree is now permanently moored at Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport. Visitors who purchase admission to the South Street Seaport Museum are invited to tour the Wavertree’s main deck, fo’c’sle head, deckhouse, galley, quarter-deck, and captain’s saloon. You can also get inside the “Cathedral,” the immense cavernous space where cargo was held. The South Street Seaport Museum and the Wavertree are both currently closed due to COVID-19.
