the mary a. Whalen
The Mary A. Whalen is a decommissioned 1930s motorized coastal/harbor oil tanker and one of the last of her kind remaining in the United States. This rare surviving example of a bell boat was initially owned and operated by Ira S. Bushey & Sons, a Red Hook business that ran a fleet of vessels, a shipyard, and a fuel terminal in its heyday, closing in the early 1980s. The Mary A. Whalen is also a remarkable early example of lap-welding—in which steel plates are welded overlapping, instead of adhered with rivets—adding unparalleled authenticity to shots of her exterior.
Awarded historic status on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, the Mary A. Whalen has been painstakingly restored and maintained by the dedicated crew of PortSide New York. PortSide is a not-for-profit whose mission is to create a ‘living lab,’ modeling better, more sustainable ways of engaging with our urban waterways. PortSide’s commitment to protecting the Red Hook waterfront from encroaching commercial developments and big box stores is unique and reflected in the immense attention to detail evident in the care given to even the most minor, aesthetic touches. PortSide’s founder, Carolina Salguero, often explains that their goal is to create a means for the surrounding community to connect to the waterways and their conservation. Salguero argues that “maritime is a lost language in NYC.” The Mary A. Whalen is a living relic of New York, exposing a new generation to urban life on the water.
As a location, the Mary A. Whalen is exceptional, offering a great variety of exteriors and interiors. Several rooms inside the ship even have removable skylights allowing easy access for lighting, sound, cameras, or electrical from the outside. The main deck is vast, measuring 90 feet from end to end. The ship’s total length is a hefty 172 feet. Every inch of the Mary A. Whalen emanates a seductive nostalgia, showcasing numerous original working parts that are still intact, such as the captain’s bells used to communicate with the engineer who was located below deck, working the ship’s throttle. Beyond the physical square footage of the vessel, there are also adjacent spaces suitable for holding and catering and areas that are perfect for parking, staging, or whatever other needs crews may have.
Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY
