Wrecked and Abandoned: In the 19th century, Rondout Creek was a center of transportation
and industry. The entrance to the over 100-mile-long Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Canal was
accessed through Rondout Creek, here in Kingston, allowing barges carrying thousands of tons
of Pennsylvania coal, Hudson Valley bricks, and other resources between the two ends of the
canal. The Mary Powell, one of the “floating palaces”, as these large passenger steamboats
were called, had its home port in Kingston and brought thousands of passengers across the
Hudson River to New York City and back every year. Hundreds of sloops and schooners sailed
the Hudson River, many travelling back and forth in Rondout Creek.Over the years, many boats
and barges have been neglected, left to rot on the creek. Accidents were unfortunately
inevitable, and the Rondout Creek and Hudson River is home to a plethora of forgotten,
wrecked and abandoned vessels. Sponsored by Tivoli Free Library.