In 2012, we had 4 humpback. We’re currently at 135!

Celia Ackerman, naturalist, American Princess Cruise in Lower New York Bay

Where Is Lower New York Bay?

If you were on a boat heading toward Manhattan from the Atlantic Ocean, you would enter Lower New York Bay roughly when you pass under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. This waterway abuts the shores of Staten Island on one side, and Brooklyn on the other. Lower New York Bay leads to Upper New York Bay where you could disembark on Manhattan Island, or branch off to cruise up the Hudson River, or the East River.

Whales and Dolphins Are Back In Large Numbers!

Whale research and advocacy organization, Gotham Whale, has been documenting the number of whales in the Lower New York Bay area since 2011. In this episode, Celia Ackerman, a volunteer for Gotham Whale and the naturalist on the American Princess whale cruise told us that in 2012, only 4 humpback whales were sited in New York’s waters. Now, they’ve counted 135!

Celia credits the return of humpback whales to their protections under the Marine Mammal Protection and Endangered Species Acts, and the Clean Water Act of 1972, which has helped reduce pollutants in our local waterways. Cleaner waters have also brought back large pods of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

The day we spoke with Celia, she told us she saw a pod of 100+ dolphins on a recent cruise around Lower New York Bay. We saw several pods ourselves the day we joined Celia on a cruise around the Bay. We also saw several humpback whales, including the friendly one in the following video, and the pics that follow.

In the video, you'll hear me wonder if the whale is OK. I stopped recording before I got the answer. The whale was fine. The rolling, slapping behavior you see is normal.  

A Revolutionary War Battle, Two Quarantine Islands and Legendary Lighthouses

These are just a few of the interesting nuggets you’ll learn about the history of Lower New York Bay from our conversation with Wade Goria, historian and lecturer for the National Lighthouse Museum, and founder of the Bay Ridge Historical Society.

As an historian, Wade told us that he can’t look out across this waterway without, “imagining the 450 or so ships that the British brought into Lower New York Bay from June to August, 1776.” The arrival of those British ships, he said, was one of the largest naval invasions of that time. The Bay, with two Forts standing on its shores, played an important role in the defense of New York City.

Roughly a hundred year’s later, the Bay once again helped to defend New York City, this time from a very different type of attack – disease. Wade told us the story of how Hoffman Island and Swinburne Island came to be. They were created to serve as quarantine facilities to protect New York City from deadly diseases that were coming from Europe.

Last, but far from least, Wade gave us an audio tour of his favorite lighthouses in the Bay. Many continue to guide mariners safely into and out of New York Harbor, and many can be seen from the shore. Wade shares several vantage points from which to view the lighthouses. Alternatively, you can see the lighthouses up close, and get the chance to meet Wade in person, on one of the lighthouse boat tours happening this summer.

Unwind With The Cocktail by Lower New York Bay

Ashley Keane, a bartender at Kennedy’s Restaurant in Breezy Point, was inspired to invent a new cocktail after watching many breathtaking sunsets on Lower New York Bay. She’s calling it Unwind.

Ashley is happy to serve you a glass of Unwind from the take-out window at Kennedy’s. But knowing so many of us are staying home to slow the spread of the Corona Virus, she was also happy to share her recipe so we can make it ourselves.

Go ahead, whip up this delicious cocktail and enjoy a taste of summer to come.

Ingredients:

• Hendrick’s Gin
• Ginger Ale
• Lime Juice
• St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
• Blood Orange Juice
• Rosemary
• Slice of Orange

Put the first four ingredients in a shaker and give it a good shake. Then pour a splash of Blood orange juice on top, add a slick of orange and a rosemary sprig.

Who You’ll Meet In This Episode

• Celia Ackerman: Celica is a naturalist on the American Princess whale watching cruises. She is also a volunteer for Gotham Whale, a whale research and advocacy organization. Follow Celia on Twitter for news on the whales of NYC, and more.
• Ashley Keane: Ashley is a nurse by day and bartender at Kennedy’s Restaurant by night. Despite being on the front lines, fighting the Corona Virus pandemic in New York City, Ashley carved out time to participate in our podcast. And, she invented a new cocktail for us all to enjoy. Extra special thanks to Ashley!
• Wade Goria: Wade is an historian and lecturer for the National Lighthouse Museum, and the founder of the Bay Ridge Historical Society. Wade is a former social studies teacher and professor of international relations at New York University.

Resources for this Episode

• American Princess Whale Watching Tours
• Gotham Whale
• The National Lighthouse Museum: Boat tours are one of the great services the museum offers. You can find Wade Goria guiding many of the tours, sharing the history of New York City and its many lighthouses.
• Bayridge Historical Society
• Hoffman Island
• Swinburne Island
• Kennedy’s Restaurant: We can personally attest to the fact that you’ll get great views of Lower New York Bay and the New York City skyline from Kennedy’s.
• Fort Wadsworth
• Fort Hamilton
• Sandy Hook Pilots
• Battery Weed
• Coney Island Lighthouse
• Old Orchard Shoal Lighthouse
• Elm Tree Lighthouse
• Miller Field
• Romer Shoal Light