The Kipper Project:
To Build & Sail an 18th Century Style Pettiauger

The newest and most ambitious project of the First Ulster is the Kipper Pettiauger Project. Our goal is to recreate an example of an 18th century Hudson River pettiauger. When complete, she will be the only one of her kind and the first on the Hudson River in almost 150 years

.. Pettaiuger Mercury in action with the British Fleet Attacking Kingston, NY Ocotber 19, 2007

The project began around 2002 when discussion between a few of the Ulsters who, working with other organizations, such as the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, developed an 18th century sailor impression and felt a desire to recreate an 18th century vessel for our use in the Hudson River at Kingston. Originally the thought was to recreate a scaled down recreation of the gunboat/galley "Lady Washington" who defended the City during the infamous raid known as the Burning of Kingston in 1777. This proved to be a formidable undertaking and the plan was revised and a more 'utilitarian' craft was sought. After research and discussions the pettiauger was chosen. We chose this unusual vessel partially due to its profusion on the River during the 18th and early 19th entruries, and partially due to the fact that this once ubitquous vessel, a Dutch style Hudson River Pettiauger, had vanished and ours would be the first. This looked to be a unique and historically significant endeavor and would be instrumental in bringing Kingston's maritime history to life for the people of Ulster County.

Soon after the decision was made, we were intruduced to a New York State BOCES School program in Alpaus, New York near Albany (the Capitol District Maritime Academy) where at-risk youths were taught to build wooden boats. The Technology Teacher and director of the boat building program, Greg Pattison met with us and took to the project with an enthusiam that equaled our's. In short, materials were purchased - white oak for ribs, frame and bottom, cedar for the lapstraked sides -- and the construction began. Within 2 years the basic boat had been completed and the finishing work done in Greg's private shop over the Summer of 2007. We took delivery of the boat in September and the rush to have her seaworthy in time for our signature event - "The Burning of Kingston" - began. 2 or 3 coats of paint, caulking, a borrowed set of oars, the addition of a swivel gun and she was ready for the event. Named "Mercury" by the classes who built her, she was christened thusly in October and took to the waters of the Hudson on October 19, 2007 where, even with a green crew, she performed admirably. The Winter and Spring of 2008 will see the construction of the masts and rigging and, hopefully, a suit of sails.

Why "The Kipper Project"? The project was named for the Kip family and Jacobus Kip who ran a pettiauger ferry from the City of Rondout (now downtown Kingston) across the North (Hudson) River to Kipsbergen (now Rhinecliff) from 1760's until the first third of the 19th century spanning two generations. As near as we can tell, his pettiauger was just a few feet larger than our Mercury. In a bit of serendipity, one of the teachers at the Maritime Academy, Suzanne Kip, is the wife of a direct descendent of Jacobus Kip and his son Abraham

 

©2008 Gene Tozzi First Ulster County Militia, All Rights Reserved