The Newtown Pentacle

Altissima quaeque flumina minimo sono labi

Archive for the ‘Sea Wolf’ Category

another phenomenon

with one comment

“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle

– photo by Mitch Waxman

That’s the estimable Sea Wolf towing a barge of recyclables down the East River, captured on a foggy day in the spring. The barge likely emanates from the SimsMetal Queens Terminal, which we will be discussing in some detail this coming week. If, presumptively, the material being transported is from the aforementioned waste transfer station- this would be the “separated” plastic and glass trash collected by the DSNY which we New Yorkers leave on the curb once a week. This week’s Maritime Sunday shout out goes to Sea Wolf and her crew, plying the waters of NY Harbor, and taking out the trash.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Accusations of environmentalist activism dog your humble narrator, due to my ongoing fascination with both the Newtown Creek and its 19 Waste Transfer stations and the “flow” of unwanted byproducts produced by the great human hive- whether it be sewage, garbage, or “recyclables.” The truth is that one such as myself cannot understand how the average person cannot be interested in improving the health of their surroundings, if for no other reason than the selfish desire to maintain a wholesome and sanitary state of affairs in their own homes.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

When the current Mayor retires, he will be remembered for many things- both good and bad. The obvious stamp left upon the City of Greater New York by the “Bloomberg team” will be the series of residential buildings which have inextricably altered the skyline of both “the City” and especially Brooklyn and Queens. Additionally, we will all remember the restrictive “Nanny State” laws and regulations, but I fear that their greatest accomplishment- the codifying and modernization of New York’s waste processing and disposal system will be forgotten or overlooked.

Upcoming tours:

The Insalubrious Valley– Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.

The Poison Cauldron- Saturday, June 15, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.

Kill Van Kull- Saturday, June 22, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.

Written by Mitch Waxman

May 19, 2013 at 12:15 am