Two historic schooners, the 121-foot Pilot and the 128-foot Victory Chimes, sank in early July at an inlet near New York City’s Gowanus Canal while docked on the Brooklyn waterfront. Owned by the New York City-based company Crew, both vessels went down around the time of strong squalls, though the exact cause remains undetermined as maritime groups and historians call for answers and salvage commitments.
The 121-foot Pilot, a century-old vessel, and the 128-foot Victory Chimes, dating back to 1900 and famously featured on the 2003 Maine state quarter, are currently submerged in the Henry Street Basin. According to Crew CEO Alex Pincus, the company is collaborating with insurers, marine salvage experts, and marine surveyors to assess the situation. “Raising wooden vessels of this size is a highly complex operation that requires specialized equipment, careful planning and extensive coordination,” Pincus stated, noting that the boats remain underwater while planning continues.
Maritime preservationists and local community members have voiced strong concerns over the fate of the ships. Brad Vogel of the Gowanus Dredgers canoe club described the potential loss as a shame and “in some ways unforgivable,” emphasizing that people in New York City and Maine want clear answers regarding any commitment to raising the vessels. Steve Bromage, executive director of the Maine Historical Society, called the situation heartbreaking for the nation’s maritime heritage, pointing out that the Victory Chimes is on the National Register of Historic Places as the last surviving Chesapeake ram, a flat-bottomed schooner built for narrow waterways.
The vessels carry notable histories spanning over a century of service. The Pilot previously ferried maritime pilots to larger ships in Boston Harbor, supported Coast Guard operations during World War II, and hosted explorer Jacques Cousteau during its years as an educational and research vessel in the 1970s and 1980s. Crew acquired the Pilot in 2015 and the Victory Chimes at auction roughly three years ago, utilizing the Pilot as an oyster bar.
Challenges of Salvaging Historic Wooden Ships
Experts note that recovering and restoring the sunken schooners presents immense logistical and financial hurdles. Charlie Weidman of Charlie’s Marine Service in Rockland, Maine, explained that rebuilding the ships would be extremely difficult and costly because the original timber used in their construction is no longer readily available. Amanda Pleau, a spokesperson for the Maine Maritime Museum, added that while the loss is sad, it is not entirely unexpected given that most turn-of-the-century schooners had operational lifespans of under 20 years, making surviving examples exceptionally rare.
Did You Know? The Victory Chimes is the last surviving Chesapeake ram—a specialized flat-bottomed schooner design created specifically to navigate narrow and shallow waterways—and earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places before its acquisition by Crew.
Expert Insight: As marine surveyors and insurers evaluate the Henry Street Basin site, the primary obstacles remain the sheer scale of lifting waterlogged wooden hulls and the specialized timber required for authentic restoration. While corporate leadership weighs complex salvage operations against escalating expenses, local preservation advocates continue to push for transparency regarding the vessels’ ultimate fate in the federal Superfund site waters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Pilot and the Victory Chimes sink?
The two historic schooners sank in early July while docked on the Brooklyn waterfront in an inlet just off the Gowanus Canal.
Who currently owns the sunken schooners?
The vessels are owned by Crew, a New York City-based company that turns historic vessels into floating bars and restaurants.
Why are maritime groups concerned about the sinking?
Preservationists and historical societies are worried because the ships represent irreplaceable maritime heritage—including the last surviving Chesapeake ram—and it remains uncertain whether the owners will commit to the complex and expensive salvage process.
What steps should local authorities and private operators take next to balance historic preservation with maritime safety in urban waterways?