Description

The South Street Seaport in New York City is alive with history and charm in this artwork.

This piece, bathed in the clear light-blue sky of a winter day, showcases the iconic Ambrose lightship docked alongside the pier. The wooden dock planks guide our eyes toward the ship, with a light dusting of snow adding a delicate touch to the scene. The warmth of the sun made it possible for Dad to capture this unique moment, and I was right there with him, sharing the experience.

The Ambrose, a lightship built in 1908, played a crucial role in guiding ships safely from the Atlantic Ocean into the lower New York Bay. This area, filled with treacherous sandbars and shoals, required such a beacon to ensure safe passage. In 1968, the U.S. Coast Guard gifted the Ambrose to the Seaport Museum, where it remains a symbol of maritime heritage.

Dad's masterful depiction of this historic vessel against the vibrant backdrop of the seaport evokes a sense of nostalgia.

On this day in 2007, Dad found the same ship he painted once before (39 years prior) in 1968 (see "The Red Boat"). He reunited with his friend, The Ambrose. ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes