The busy Hudson River was closed to its usual traffic on Wednesday May 26 to make way for the convoy of gray naval ships signaling the start of the 17th annual Fleet Week. After passing under the Verrazano Bridge, the first ship came into sight around 10 a.m. accompanied by small tug boats spouting colored water displays. Despite the gloomy weather, sailors were proudly standing in formation on deck for the arrival and paused as they passed the World Trade Center site, above. However, due to the rain, crowds of spectators were virtually non-existent and the scheduled noon flyover was cancelled. Following their procession up the river to the George Washington Bridge, the ships docked at Piers 86 and 88 (46th-48th Sts.) and Staten Island’s Stapleton pier, where they will be until their departure in the morning of June 1. There will not be a leaving parade, but they will be leaving down the Hudson at varying times through the Verrazano straits. On May 31 at 11:40 a.m. there will be a U.S. Navy flyover by the Hudson for Memorial Day commemoration and a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. For more information about Fleet Week events go to www.fleetweek.navy.mil.
WWW Downtown Express
