Rebuilding a Ship

There is a remarkable project, under way since 2006, to build a replica of the Dutch ship, the Onrust, which was built by Captain Adreaen Block and his crew in 1614. Their ship, the Tyger, had been destroyed by fi re. The Onrust (Dutch for “Restless”) was the fi rst decked vessel to be built entirely in America. The ship was 42 feet long and capable of carrying 16 tons.

 

This project is rich in American, nautical and archeological history. It is also one of the most successful volunteer efforts I’ve ever seen in my twenty years of being involved in not-for-profi t organizations. New Netherland Routes, Inc., the not-for-profi t created to oversee the Onrust project, has brought together 130 volunteers for a 3-year project to rebuild a ship that will eventually be used as a fl oating classroom.

The most striking aspect of this project is the acquisition of the wood, most of which has been donated. The stories seem endless.

The majority of the wood for this ship must be white oak. A 400 year old swamp white oak (

 

 

 

 

 

Quercus bicolor

) was donated by the by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Latham after it was blown down by high winds. Its wood will be used for futtocks, transom pieces, and deck planks. When someone stands on the deck, they will be standing on 400 year old wood!

At least eight 300-year-old oaks were obtained as a result of their accidental removal during the building of a new development in Latham.

The masts were found on Craig’s List, an online classified service.

The transom had been found just before it was turned into a bar. A good price was negotiated. A woman with a 19th century farm called and offered anything of value to the project from her 300 acres. A few hazardous trees from two cemeteries were offered and retrieved. And the list goes on.

New Netherland President, Don Rittner said, “It has been

a remarkable experience to see how many people have come forward to donate oak to the project.” More is still needed.

I did not have room to include the fascinating history of the Onrust and Captain Block. I highly recommend you visit the project’s website at: www.theonrust.com.

 

 

 

By Gloria Van Duyne

Taking Root