21
September 12 - September 24, 2013
The little tug that could — Seaport’s Decker sparkles in race
Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. Welcomes
Former NY Governor Mario Cuomo & Matilda Cuomo
As this year’s Grand Marshals of the Feast of San Gennaro’s Grand Procession Saturday, September 14, 2013, at 2pm Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. Presents
87TH ANNUAL FEAST OF
SAN GENNARO September 12-22, 2013 Mulberry Street, Little Italy, N.Y.C.
Photo courtesy of Therese Loeb Kreuzer
The South Street Seaport Museum’s W.O. Decker in a tugboat race Sept. 1.
BY t e re se lo e b K r e u z e r There were bigger, more powerful tugboats than the South Street Seaport Museum’s W.O. Decker in the 21st annual Great North River Tugboat Race on the Hudson River Sept. 1, but none whose presence in the Labor Day weekend race meant more. The diminutive, yellow tugboat sparkled as she joined the line of 15 tugs and a few other boats for a parade up the river from W. 44th St. to the starting line of the race at W. 79th. Last year, she missed the race. This year, her jaunty exterior stated loud and clear that the South Street Seaport Museum may be on the ropes seeking a new manager and financial backer after the Museum of the City of New York pulled out, but is not down for the count. The Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition uses the historic name for the Hudson River, conferred by the 17thcentury Dutch settlers, whose territory extended to what they called the “South River,” now called the Delaware. And though the race is great fun, with loopy events such as a spinach-eating contest for adults and kids and “best mascot,” this year won by the tug, Debora Miller, which had a donkey on board, the intent is also serious — to honor and celebrate the tugboats and their skilled crew who are an essential part of commerce in New York City’s harbor. Built in 1930 for service on Newtown Creek, W.O. Decker was the oldest boat in this year’s race. Another old boat, the Resolute, built in 1975 in Oyster
Bay, L.I., for the Providence Steamship Company, won the race in the record time of five minutes, covering the course of one nautical mile. Capt. Charles Restivo was at the helm of the Resolute, which now belongs to the McAllister Towing Co., founded in 1864 by Capt. James McAllister, the great-grandfather of Brian A. McAllister, the current president. The Resolute has a rope beard in front and on the sides that protects it from banging into other boats and docks. “Rope fendering is a lost art,” said Restivo. “It’s labor intensive and expensive.” Capt. Aaron Singh steered the W.O. Decker up and down the river. Afterward, he showed off his six-weekold son, Theodore, and the tug’s two trophies. The Decker was honored with the “Little Toot” award and came in second in its class of boats of 1,000 horsepower or less. It was one of the last boats to be built in New York harbor with a steampowered engine. She was subsequently fitted out with a diesel engine, and like some other old-timers in the race, is still at work. The Seaport Museum uses her as a yard tug. At one time, she also carried passengers for trips around the harbor, but is not U.S. Coast Guard-certified to do that at the moment. The hope is that she will be in the future, joining the museum’s 1885 schooner, Pioneer, as a regular presence in the harbor and a prominent element of its living history.
Free Entertainment Nightly
For a complete entertainment and activity schedule, visit our website at
Grand Street Stage at Mott Street Performances at 7 PM Thursday, September 12 MIKE SERGIO
www.sangennaro.org or call 212-768-9320
Friday, September 13 VITO PICONE & THE ELEGANTS
Saturday, September 14
Sunday, September 15 GIANNI RUSSO AND BAND
LIVE RADIO BROADCAST
Monday, September 16 THE ORIGINALS
on WCBS FM Hosted by JOE CAUSI 7-10 PM
Tuesday, September 17 JIMMY AVELLA • 7 - 8 PM TRE BELLA • 8 - 9:30 PM Wednesday, September 18 ENRICO CARUSO OPERA NIGHT • 6:30 PM
Saturday, September 21
Thursday, September 19 TEO • 6 - 7:30 PM
LIVE RADIO BROADCAST
Friday, September 20 JUST FRIENDS
on Sirius Satellite Radio Hosted by COUSIN BRUCIE 7-10 PM
Sunday, September 22 JENNA ESPOSITO AND BAND • 6 PM Sound provided by SOUND ON THE RUN (soundontherun@aol.com)
“The Feast of All Feasts” Celebrating The Patron Saint of Naples Special Attractions: Thursday, September 12 12th Annual Cannoli Eating Contest at 2 PM Sponsored by:
Blessing of the Stands at 6 PM Saturday, September 14 at 2 PM THE GRAND PROCESSION, Floats, Marching Bands, Special guest Bruno Sammartino and the STATUE OF SAN GENNARO Wednesday, September 18 at 2 PM Annual Pizza Eating Contest
Thursday, September 19 at 6 PM Solemn High Mass Celebrating the Patron Saint of Naples Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter Street) Religious Procession with the Statue of San Gennaro Sunday, September 22 11:30AM - 6:30PM The Annual Feast of San Gennaro Blood Drive with the Red Cross at 268 Mulberry Street (between Prince & Houston)
Sponsored by:
Any visual or audio reproduction of this Festival other than the News Media is strictly forbidden without written permission of Figli di San Gennaro, Inc.
With grateful appreciation to: The Society of St. Anthony of Giovanazzo, Inc.;
Columbia Association
; NYC Fire Department