Full Schedule: Space Shuttle Enterprise On the Move from JFK to Intrepid

[megatop412]

What the hell, better late than never, right?



Cary are you in this shot





Nothing fancy here, just Far Rock in full effect baby

[gonzalu]

William we missed you at The Other Mounds but thank you for the group shot! love it!

[gonzalu]

FDNY fire boats to lead the parade


A pair of Coast Guard HH-65 did a fly over


A Circle Line Cruise ship wanted to join the parade

Actually, that was on purpose ... some people paid to get the privilege of cruising alongside, officially.

[Wavefront]

Actually, that was on purpose ... some people paid to get the privilege of cruising alongside, officially.

Now I know why it was blocking our view for such a long time. I should have gone to Manhattan for better light and view.

[gonzalu]

Now I know why it was blocking our view for such a long time. I should have gone to Manhattan for better light and view.

Yeah but then it would have been a Mad House in Manhattan... I could see from my shots across the river the crowds were insane... In NJ side, the worst crowd I experienced was at Liberty State Park, and EVERYONE had a front row seat... much unlike the Ft Wadsworth experience with 5 people deep at the wall.

All in all, it was much fun following her up river to Weekhawken and Hamilton Park

[Speedbird1]

Had such a memorable time on Wed. Started at the Battery and saw the white shape of Enterprise emerge whenever the sun shone. Met lots of tourists. Several never heard of a Space Shuttle? Then, I took a chance and raced to Pier 84 just south of the Intrepid to see the hoisting. Got there just in time using the #1 train and the M42 bus. I was surprised that the entire pier was opened to the public except for the far end which was delegated to the news media; others were escorted out. Seeing the meticulous work of Weeks Marine was amazing. They had to lift the Orbiter in a precise way. Each time she started to rise, she had to get re-aligned. This process took well-over 3 hours and my feet hurt from standing in 1 place. It was worth the pain although several people left. The view was amazing; the only obstruction was when the huge crane swung in front of us for a short while. I was amazed that the Intrepid allowed people on the pier to see the Enterprise for free; I guess the pier is city property so they had no control. Now for the sad part, I returned on Thursday. I found most of the aft section already covered in scaffolding. Some brave guys climbed to the top of the tail fin and placed a huge US Flag. I fear, on my next visit, the entire fuselage will be scaffolded. I spoke to some workers who said it would be covered in canvas in a day or two. I have a question. Why was it turned to face New Jersey? There must be a reason. Since this tent is only temporary, we will have another chance to see her for free when she gets moved to her permanent home across 12th Ave. Of course, millions must be paid for that. So visitors will have to probably shell-out an additional $24 to enter the Space Pavilion. I congratulate the meticulous work done by Bay Crane and Weeks Marine. The damage to her wing tip was due to a wind gust.

[Speedbird1]

No, the crowds were large but I got there about 12:30 from the Battery and managed to get a good spot by yhe Hudson.. The crowds were worse for the Tall Ship Parade and the Shuttle fly-over. The crowd on Pier 84 got crowded when they started the hoisting procedure. I was right next to the Weeks Crane; which was still there all day on Thursday as well. Maybe they're helping with the scaffolding and construction. One guy hoisted a large US Flag adjoining the tail fin.

[gonzalu]

Weeks #533 is still there helping...

http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Live-Webcams.aspx

[TJK]

Some of mine, from the pier just south, and through the cruise line fences just north of intrepid.


RSCN8480 by teejsjulaw, on Flickr


RSCN8481 by teejsjulaw, on Flickr


RSCN8478 by teejsjulaw, on Flickr

There's a bunch more, including of the crane, the tugs, the assorted law enforcement and safety boats present, and of course the circle line boat that I wish I'd thought of to get closer still in my Flickr book in the first four pages, along with some more from Jones Beach I'd forgotten I'd taken and thus just uploaded today. Enjoy!

One last one.


RSCN8463 by teejsjulaw, on Flickr

[CX777]

What an event, it was amazing to see Enterprise glide by on a barge in Hudson and then hoisted up on Intrepid. Heres my prospective...



Cheers,

[TJK]

No, the crowds were not large. They were worse for the Tall Ship Parade and the Shuttle fly-over. The crowd on Pier 84 only a few yards from the hoisting procedure was not crowded at all. I came late and still get a great spot along the fence right next to the Weeks Crane; which was still there all day on Thursday as well. Maybe they're helping with the scaffolding and construction.

I thought the crowd was very reasonable. A nice little turnout for the middle of the day considering most people were at work, but never oppressive really at all. The city does I believe own the pier just south of the Intrepid (part of Hudson River Park I think), so in spite of the Museum's now insanely bottom-line only focused attitude, they have absolutely no right to close that pier. I enjoyed the moment of history of her arrival, and now never have to pony up the additional $20 for the "privilege" of seeing this significant piece of history. Actually my biggest concern/ annoyance or whatever about the whole Enterprise to Intrepid situation is that it means no 4th of July on the flight deck this year. My wildly better and better looking half surprised me last year with tickets to the flight deck viewing. It was one of the absolute best nights of my life, getting to show her around the museum, take a ton of photos of the aircraft in the collection (although they had the $ tent for food and beverages blocking my beloved Tomcat until after the show), then getting to see the fireworks without dealing with the insanity of 12th avenue. It was perfect, and it's a bummer that the back of the deck will be otherwise occupied for the forseeable future. I'm sure given how they run the place now, they'll probably double the VIP tickets to watch from the hangar deck areas, at least until the shuttle's off the deck. (end of mini-rant)

Anyway, it was a great day, and a fun bit of history to be able to pop in on and memorialize.

[megatop412]

It's great that so many of us were able to capture this once in a lifetime moment in New York's history. I couldn't believe I got to see it with my own eyes. I soaked it up as much as I could, because I knew that would be the last time I would see Shuttle Enterprise. Because I will NEVER pay the outrageous amount of money they will be asking for admission.

[Speedbird1]

I researched the cost of bringing the Enterprise here. Intrepid had to pay NASA $28.8 million to cover the cost of transporting the Orbiter and transporting here to NYC. I think all the other museums were charged the same. Those museums unable to pay up-front lost-out on getting a Shuttle so things went on behind the scenes that were kept quiet. The Shuttles didn't really go to the most worthy but to the wealthiest cities and institutions. Not surprised. This is the norm especially at election time. Now, Intrepid must pay for a permanent protective pavilion which is to be built across 12th Ave. in the future; thus the high cost of visiting her inside her temporary canvas home. Thus, Intrepid really has no choice but to charge outrageous costs to visitors. They are still re-paying for thr repairs to her hull a few years ago. Contributions by entrepreneurs has dropped drastically as has city contributions. They are a well-meaning institutuion with deep financial problems. Remember the corrupt Bill White? The contract forced them to place a tent around the Orbiter so only paying guests could see her. I am still waiting to learn why she faces New Jersey. Any ideas?

[PhilDernerJr]

What do elections have to do with any of that?

What's your source on the "behind the scenes" accusations?

[Speedbagel_001]

It's great that so many of us were able to capture this once in a lifetime moment in New York's history. I couldn't believe I got to see it with my own eyes. I soaked it up as much as I could, because I knew that would be the last time I would see Shuttle Enterprise. Because I will NEVER pay the outrageous amount of money they will be asking for admission.

You might not have to. Check with your local public library to see if they offer museum passes to the Intrepid. That's how my wife and I got to visit the Intrepid a few years back. It was the first time in my life I was able to say "I was on the Concorde!"