Staten Island boat graveyard facts for kids
The Staten Island boat graveyard is a unique place in New York City. It's a special kind of scrapyard for old boats. You can find it in a waterway called the Arthur Kill, on the west side of Staten Island.
This spot is where old tugboats, barges, and even ferries go to be recycled. People also call it the Witte Marine Scrap Yard or the Tugboat Graveyard. Its official name today is the Donjon Iron and Metal Scrap Processing Facility.
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How the Boat Graveyard Started
The boat graveyard began in the 1930s. A man named John J. Witte started it. He managed the scrapyard until he passed away in 1980.
After John Witte, his son-in-law, Joe Coyne, took over. Joe said it was like a car salvage yard. Instead of cars, they used boats for parts to sell. Now, John Witte's son, Arnold, runs the yard.
At one time, there were about 400 boats here. Today, there are around 100 boats and ships.
What You Can See at the Site
The boats here are from many different years. They include cargo ships and tugboats. These old vessels sit in the mud and shallow water. They stay there until they are taken apart or their parts are used.
Some of these boats are very old and important. Because of this, the place is sometimes called an "accidental marine museum."
Historic Vessels to Discover
One special boat is the submarine chaser USS PC-1264. This was the first US Navy ship in World War II to have a crew mostly made of African-American sailors.
Another important vessel is the New York City Fire Department fireboat Abram S. Hewitt. This fireboat helped at a big disaster in 1904. It was a floating command center when the passenger ferry PS General Slocum sank. More than a thousand people died in that accident.
Visiting the Boat Graveyard
It can be tricky to get to the boat graveyard. There are signs that say "No trespassing." Still, some people visit this unique spot.
Marine historians explore the area by boat or kayak. They want to learn about the old ships. The decaying boats are also popular with photographers and artists. They love the eerie and interesting look of the place.
Even though it's hard to reach, the location has become a tourist attraction. Visitors often use a path made of old street signs and wood planks. This path leads them through muddy marshland to the water's edge. From there, they can see the many old boats.
Boat Graveyard in Media
The boat graveyard has even appeared in movies and documentaries. A film called Graves of Arthur Kill was made about the site in 2012. Also, parts of the 2010 thriller movie Salt were filmed right here.
Images for kids
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The northern end of the graveyard
