The Cove North of Ellis Island

by Ted Wallace

One of my favorite areas of the New York Harbor is the cove north of Ellis Island. The cove is a safe and convenient place for teaching sailing, perfect for a "heave to" and have a picnic, and home to Harbor Station, our floating clubhouse.

Ellis Cove is roughly half a mile square and bordered on the northern side by the old train station which separates the cove from Morris Canal. The train station has a landmark Tower usually marked on all NY Harbor charts. Morris canal, as you know is a commonly used ferry entry and exit point for passengers going to and from Jersey City.

Along the western edge of the cove are two bridges separated by a half mile of land. The northern bridge serves the train station and the southern serves Ellis Island. Both of these bridges are impassable for of our sail craft and should be given respectful distances at peak high and low tides. Speaking of tides, this area is also a convenient spot to duck out of a strong race when getting set during an ebb tide of three knots and low wind conditions of five knots or less.

Ellis Island itself is the chief landmark of the area. Its onion spires and European design have welcomed visitors and immigrants alike for over 100 years.  The flag pole and large smoke stack are convenient tell tales for sailors. The current security perimeter is also a nice safe boundary for the rocky bottom which surrounds the Island. Ellis Islands history is an ominous history to the New York harbor and the rest of he world as well. Enclosed is a short quote from the National Park Service website:

 "Ellis Island was incorporated as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument on May 11, 1965. Between 1892 and 1954, approximately 12 million steerage and third class steamship passengers who entered the United States through the port of New York were legally and medically inspected at Ellis Island. Reopened on September 10, 1990 after a massive restoration, the Main Building on Ellis Island is now a museum dedicated to the history of immigration and the important role this island claimed during the mass migration of humanity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."

To find out more got to www.ellisisland.org or nps.gov/elis.

However, my favorite reason for liking Ellis Cove is Harbor Station. The Manhattan Sailing Club's newest asset is an outstanding example of our presence and bearing within the New York Harbor and sailing community. Many of our regattas are started and finished from the upper deck of this highly visible location. When completed this coming year, club members and guests will have a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the afternoons and evenings overlooking southern Manhattan, or taking in some beautiful sunsets as the race committee monitor the regattas progress.

A quick sail and a beautiful spot in the harbor to enjoy; Ellis Cove.