More than just about anything else these days, Buffalonians get excited about the prospect of a bustling waterfront. Much of the excitement comes in the form of development along the water’s edge, at the Inner Harbor and along the Buffalo River. At the same time, we love seeing the launch of new water crafts into the harbor each season. With taxis and shuttles, and sloops and historic replicas, there is finally a buzz of activity on the water thanks to waterfront advocates such as the Buffalo Maritime Center.
Last year we saw an important initiative take hold, when members of Buffalo Maritime Center decided to take on a maritime project that had started many years before (see story). Jim “Swannie” Watkins had started building a significant replica of the War of 1812 sloop USS Trippe. For years the unfinished boat sat down at at Silo City, waiting for the perfect storm to blow through.
Finally, the day came, when waterfront advocates picked up the ship and hauled her over to the maritime center’s shop at 90 Arthur Street in Black Rock. Although some preliminary work began, the team was hoping to secure funds from the Niagara River Greenway Commission in order to see the project to completion. Unfortunately, the funding was not realized, and now the team has resorted to crowd-sourcing to see the initiative to completion.
The money ($90,250) raised through the public campaign will go towards the following:
7000 lb ballast keel fabrication $20,500
Electric propulsion system $6,200
Spars: mast, boom, bow sprit, gaff $21,750
Sails: main, topsail, staysail, jib $17,000
Rigging: stays, chain plates, halyards $10,500
Specialty fasteners, turnbuckles $4,500
Marine epoxy, bottom paint, varnish $3,000
Period accurate anchor $1,800
Replica arms: 16 pounder long cannon $5,000
Each contribution has a perk that ranges from deck tours ($10) to a ride on The Trippe ($100). There are harbor cruises for 45 people (corporate donors), and limited edition prints by local marine artist John Montague as well.
When The Trippe is complete, it will play a significant role in historic reenactments both in the US and in Canada.
For more information on how you can help any of the ongoing maritime projects in the pipeline, go to www.BuffaloMaritimeCenter.org, or email info@buffalomaritimecenter.org.
More information is available on the campaign website.