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Native Americans
in the Hudson Valley
The Early Dutch
in the Hudson Valley
Half Moon
Manual for Historic Interpretation
History of the Half Moon
Henry Hudson and Exploration of the Hudson River
| The original Half Moon (Halve Maen) was commissioned on March 25, 1609, for the Dutch East India Company. She was a ship of exploration and the spaceship of her age, designed to take a crew of twenty into unknown and uncharted waters. Her captain, Henry Hudson, was already a famous explorer of Arctic waters when in 1608 he was hired by the Dutch East India Company to find a Northeast, all-water route to Asia. But only a month out of port, the Dutch/English crew of his ship was disheartened after their passage north of Norway was blocked by Arctic ice floe. Many talked of mutiny. Sitting in his cabin, the concerned captain considered his dilemma and options. A compromise was made. The course was changed and what was a search for a Northeast passage became a transatlantic crossing to search for a Northwest passage to the rich spice trade of China. Of course, some think that Hudson´s intention all along was to go Northwest. To celebrate the Dutch role in exploring and colonizing America,
a replica of Henry Hudson's |
Half Moon Replica
Manual for Historic Interpretation
Manual describing the tour of the Half Moon prepared by the New Netherland Museum for use by docents of the Hudson River Maritime Museum.The Half Moon is operated by The New Netherland Museum
Henry Hudson in North America
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Hudson stopped at points on the New Jersey coast before sailing the small ship up the river which today bears the Captain´s name-the Hudson River. But it was soon obvious that it was an inland river, not a westward passage. Hudson sailed upriver to present day Albany before returning down river.
It would be many years before the significance of Hudson´s 1609 voyage to America would be understood and the Half Moon recognized as one of the best known ships of exploration.
America´s Dutch Heritage
Hudson´s voyage had important consequences. In making this historic journey, Hudson claimed the region for the Dutch and opened the land for the settlers who followed. Hudson´s voyage, nearly ten years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, led to the establishment, in 1614, of the Dutch trading post, Fort Nassau, at present day Albany, New York. The first European settlements in the States of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania were built by the Dutch beginning in 1624 and formed the Dutch colony of New NetherLands, or Nieu Nederlandf.By the end of the 17th century, all of New Netherlands had become the possession of the British crown. Yet the maps of the region still reflect the original Dutch settlements. Brooklyn, Hoboken, Block Island and hundreds more places take their names from the first Dutch colonists. These names hint at the early Dutch role in establishing our nation, an involvement that continued through to the American Revolution.
Building a New Half Moon
To celebrate the Dutch role in exploring and colonizing America, a replica of Henry Hudson´s original Naive Maen (Half Moon) was built over a year’s time at the Snow Dock in Albany, New York, and launched in June of 1989. The construction and design of the new 85-foot-long Half Moon replica is based on extensive research dating back to the original construction contract for Hudson´s ship. The ship is powered by both sail and motor and her displacement is 112 tons.Aboard the Half Moon
Imagine the excitement of discovering uncharted lands and new routes to the riches of Asia! To board the Half Moon is to step into the Age of Discovery. The Half Moon-her cabins and decks furnished authentically with sea chests, weapons, tools, navigational instruments, and trade goods-takes visitors back to an exciting age when intrepid European explorers competed to open new routes to trade with the East.Manual for Historic Interpretation Manual describing the tour of the Half Moon prepared by the New Netherland Museum for use by docents of the Hudson River Maritime Museum.
Setting Sail on the Half Moon
The Half Moon sails today as a living history exhibit. Since 1989, the Half Moon has toured the East Coast, Canada and the Great Lakes to interpret her historical significance to the public.The Half Moon hoists six sails on three masts, sporting 2,757 square feet of canvas, and her volunteer crew learn to sail her in the manner of Hudson´s crew, 400 years ago. They climb her masts to set her square sails and learn traditional methods of navigation.
Ship Facts: the Half Moon
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Length on Deck: 85 feet Length on Keel: 64.5 feet Height: 78 feet Beam: 17.3 feet Draft: 8.5 feet Crew: 15-20 Class: Yacht Displacement: 112 tons Storage: 80 tons Rigging: square and lateen sails Original Construction: carvel-fitted planks |
Original Construction Date: 1608 Replica Construction Date: 1989 Masts: fore, main, mizzen Sail Area: 2,757 square feet Anchors: 4 Cannons: 2 starboard, 2 larboard, 2 stern chasers Flags:
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 1909 Half Moon Replica |
1909 Half Moon Replica
The existing Half Moon replica was not the first replica to be built. To celebrate the tricentennial of Henry Hudson's voyage, a replica of the Half Moon was built in Holland in 1909 and donated to the people of New York as part of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909.From Saturday, September 25, to Monday, October 11, 1909, the State of New York commemorated the 300th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson in 1609 and the 100th anniversary of the first successful application of steam to navigation upon that River by Robert Fulton in 1807. The creation of a full scale replica of Henry Hudson's Half Moon was one of the accomplishments of this celebration, and this chapter describes how the Half Moon replica was designed and built.
Building the 1909 Half Moon Replica