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Pier 59, Hudson River
Posts & Stories
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Arriving in the Port of New York
Story
Imagine it is ca. 1950. You’ve just arrived in New York City onboard one of the sleek, modern ocean liners of the era after a five-day voyage across the Atlantic ocean. Your ship has passed the lightship marking the entrance to the Ambrose Channel, sailed past the Statue of Liberty, and brought the Manhattan skyline into view as your vessel approaches its West Side pier. Similar to international travelers in the 21st century, you now have a true test of patience as you disembark: you and your 2,000 or so fellow passengers have to try to locate your baggage and undergo a US Customs inspection. This story explores how the Customs staff prepared for the arrival of a mid-century ocean liner.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Post
The moment the gangway connected an early-mid 29th century ocean liner to a West Side pier, passengers would disembark into a warehouse-like structure. Simultaneously, baggage would be unloaded from the ship, and taken to the Customs examination area by a fleet of baggage handlers and stevedores. A passenger’s luggage would be deposited beneath the first letter of their last name for them to collect.
Chelsea Piers and New York's Steamships
Story
Though now known for their hockey rinks and bowling alley, the Chelsea Piers used to be a hub of commerce and travel. A portal to the world, passengers would stream on and off the immense steamships docked along New York's shores.
Photos
(30)
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Pier 59, Hudson River
Ships, White Star Line, S.S. "Olympic". The R.M.S. "Olympic" at dock, pier 59, White Star Line.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., Tourist Class, Interior, Veranda.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., Tourist Class, Interior, Veranda.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., Tourist Class, Interior, Dining Room.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., First Class, Interior, Stateroom "T".
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., First Class, Interior, Stateroom "T".
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., First Class, Interior, Dining Salon.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Line, S.S. "Rex", Pier #59, N.R., First Class, Interior, Dining Salon. Photographs, Prints & Drawings
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Dining Room, Looking Aft.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Dining Room, Looking Forward.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Part of Four Berth Stateroom #319. Bunk beds in a passenger cabin on the S.S. "President Roosevelt".
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "Manhattan", Pier N.R. 60, Cabin Class, Interior, Night Club, Across & Down the Room.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "Manhattan", Pier N.R. 60, Cabin Class, Interior, Night Club, Full Length of Room.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Four Berth Stateroom #317. Two sets of bunk beds in a passenger cabin on the S.S. "President Roosevelt".
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "Manhattan", Pier 59, N.R., Cabin Class, Interior, Palm Court.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Dining Room, Looking Forward.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "Manhattan", Pier 59, N.R., Cabin Class, Interior, Palm Court.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Dining Room, Looking Aft.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Part of Four Berth Stateroom #319. Bunk beds in a passenger cabin on the S.S. "President Roosevelt".
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Interior, 3rd Cl., Dining Room, Looking Aft.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "Manhattan", Pier 59, N.R., Cabin Class, Interior, Dining Salon.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Pier jammed as SS Manhattan docks Photograph depicting a large crowd inside pier 59, after the arrival of the United States liner SS Manhattan, with passengers fleeing war in Europe,
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Cabin Class, Bar in Smoking Room.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Cabin Class, Lounge.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Cabin Class, Lounge.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Cabin Class, Lounge.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Cabin Class, Smoking Room.
Pier 59, Hudson River
United States Lines, S.S. "President Roosevelt", Pier #59 N.R., Cabin Class, Writing Room.
Pier 59, Hudson River
Pier Jammed as Manhattan Docks Photograph'"Collecting the Port". Pier jammed as United States Liner Manhattan docks in New York; People fill an arrival area at Pier 59, waiting for luggage; sign in background; "TELEPHONE / BOOTHS" (2photos). Label on verso: "Collecting the Port", photograph. "Pier jammed as MANHATTAN Docks, New / York City. A general view of Pier 59, North / River, showing the crowd that jammed it after the United States liner MANHATTAN docked in New York, / Sept. 7th. The ship arrived with 1573 passengers, / 500 more than the ship ever carried before, / fleeing war in Europe. Relatives and friends on / hand to meet arrivals added to the throng. / Acme, September 7, 1939 / Courtesy, Department of the Treasury, United / States Customs Service, New York Region, 1993""
Pier 59, Hudson River
Italian Liner SS Conte di Savoia in New York Photograph depicting the Italian Liner SS Conte di Savoia as she sails after start of World War II. The liner has two smokestacks in background.; American flag flying, as is flag showing "USM" in reverse. Crowd of men in suits and women in hats and dresses in foreground. Probably summertime.
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