Christeen facts for kids

Christeen (sloop)
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Location	Oyster Bay, NY
Built	1883
Architectural style	40 foot gaff-rigged sloop
NRHP reference No.	91002060
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 4, 1991
Designated NHL	December 5, 1992

The Christeen is an amazing old sailboat, known as an oyster sloop. It's the oldest one of its kind in the United States! In 1992, it was named a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important part of American history.

This special boat was built way back in 1883 in Glenwood Landing, New York. It's a type of sailboat called a gaff-rigged sloop. The Christeen traveled to many places, including Essex, Connecticut. But in 1992, it came back home to Oyster Bay, New York.

People worked hard to raise money to fix up the Christeen. After seven years of restoration, it was launched again in 1999. Today, it's like a floating museum! The Christeen offers fun and educational tours of Oyster Bay. You can even take public or private trips on it through the WaterFront Center.

The Christeen's Journey

The Christeen was built in 1883 for Captain William Smith. Its first job was to collect oysters in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor. This tough boat worked in many different waters over the years. It sailed in Greenport, Southhold, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Captain Smith named the sloop after his 13-year-old wife, Christeen.

In 1914, an engine was added to the Christeen. This allowed it to carry goods like potatoes between Long Island and New London. It also moved furniture and other items between New York City and the eastern part of Long Island.

From 1958 to 1976, the Christeen was used as a boat for fun trips. But by 1989, it was left alone and almost sank in New London, Connecticut. Luckily, a group called Tradewinds Education Network in Connecticut saved it.

The Christeen was then given to Friends of the Bay, a non-profit group in Oyster Bay. In 1991, it finally returned to its home waters. The boat was fully restored by 1999 at Jakobson Shipyard.

Now, the Christeen is part of the WaterFront Center at Oyster Bay. It helps teach people about boats and how to protect the ocean. This amazing sloop has survived 16 big hurricanes and many other storms. Today, it's a floating classroom. It teaches students of all ages about old boats and keeping the marine environment of Oyster Bay healthy. The Christeen often works with other local groups. It also offers fun boat trips for everyone and special trips for private groups at the WaterFront Center.

Boat Details

The Christeen is a very special boat with unique features. Here are some of its specifications: