Departing New Rochelle, we pass David’s Island which served as an army base from the Civil War until 1957.  Continuing west on Long Island sound, we pass between City Island and Hart Island.  Hart Island was once a prison and now houses Potter’s Field where the remains of unidentified individuals are laid to rest.

Continuing west toward the East River, we pass Stepping Stones Light House.  To the south on the tip of Kings Point, L.I., is the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

As we enter the East River, we pass under the Throgs Neck Bridge.  On the starboard (right) side you will see the Merchant Marine Academy, Fort Schuyler.  Next we pass under the Whitestone Bridge.  Beyond the Whitestone Bridge off the port (left) side we will pass La Guardia airport and then the Riker’s Island prison.  Cruising on, we come upon North and South Brother’s Island.  The North was once a sanitarium.

We now enter a part of the East River known as Hell Gate.  Two bridges pass over Hell Gate.  The first is the Hell Gate railroad Bridge. The second is the Triborough Bridge, which connects Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens.  At the end of Hell Gate is your first view of Manhattan.  Directly ahead and proceeding down the starboard (right) side is Gracie Mansion.  Further down, you can see the 59th street or Queens Borough Bridge.  In front of the 59th Street Bridge, you may a cable car crossing the river.  This cable car connects Roosevelt Island and Manhattan.  As we pass Roosevelt Island on the starboard (right) side, we come upon the United Nations and then the Water Club.  Next we pass the 23rd Street Sky port Marina where sea planes leave daily to destinations such as Fire Island.

Looking up you can see the Empire State Building.  Adjacent to the Empire State Building is the Chrysler Building.  Cruising on, we approach the Williamsburg Bridge where once under we pass the Brooklyn Navy Yard on the port (left) side.  Coming to the lower part of the East River, we can see the Manhattan Bridge, and then the Brooklyn Bridge.  Under the Brooklyn Bridge is the River Café on the port (left) side.

Just past the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan shore is Pier 17, The South Street Seaport Museum.  The Museum is home of two tall ships, the Peking and the Waver Tree.  On the next two piers is domed tennis and racket all courts of the NY Health and Racket Club.  Coming out of the East River, we are now in New York Harbor.  On our starboard (right) side we have the Whitehall Ferry Racks where the Staten Island Ferry departs for Staten and Governor’s Island.  Off the port (left) side is Governor’s Island Coast Guard Base.  Across the harbor on the starboard (right) side is Battery Park.  Off our bow (front) is the Old Erie Lacawanna Ferry Terminal, which is part of Liberty State Park in NJ.  As we continue, we approach Ellis Island where immigrants went through customs before entering the US.  Passing Ellis Island, we reach the Statue of Liberty.  Look around and see the Manhattan skyline!  Enjoy the rest of your cruise aboard the Klondike Princess.