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Steamer DeWitt Clinton and Steamer Chauncey M. DePew

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The steamerDewitt Clintonwas a Day Line steamer which was originally a nightboat called the Manhattan built in 1913 to run to Providence, R.I. with another steamer, theNarragansett, as a night boat. The new company did not start up, and the boats lay idle until they were called to serve in World War I in 1917 when the Manhattan became a naval transport calledNopatin, and crossed the Atlantic to serve on the English Channel. After the war, back in America she became a Day Line boat and was rechristenedDeWitt Clinton. She began service on the Hudson in May of 1921. TheClintonis shown passing swimmers in the Hudson as she went into the dock at Indian Point Park which had been built by the Day Line near Montrose Pt. below Peekskill, and just opened in 1923.TheDeWitt Clinton, after rechristening again, also served as transport vessel to Europe during World War II, and later as a refugee and immigrant ship in the Mediterranean. -- Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum

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The steamerDeWitt Clintonpassing swimmers in the Hudson River while approaching Indian Point Park, ca. 1923. -- Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum

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TheChauncey M. Depew-Between the seasons of 1924-’25, the Day Line acquired a small propeller steamer called theRangeleyfrom the Maine Central Railroad to be used for excursions on the Hudson. She had been built in 1913 by the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. TheRangeleywas renamed theChauncey M. Depewby the Day Line. TheDepewwas also used as an auxiliary steamer in peak season times of overflow crowds. She ran on the Hudson between 1925 and 1940. During World War II theDepewwas requisitioned by the Federal government for wartime service. In 1950 theDepewwas sold to the government of Bermuda for use as a tender there. Many years later she came back to New Jersey where she was used as a restaurant for a few years. -- Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum