Staten Island Boat Graveyard: Uncovering the Secrets of Idle Ships

The Staten Island Boat Graveyard is a fascinating place that's steeped in history and mystery. It's a vast area where old ships and boats have been left to decay, a testament to the cyclical nature of the sea.

The graveyard is situated on the shores of Staten Island, New York, and it's estimated to contain over 1,000 vessels, ranging from small sailboats to massive cargo ships. These ships have been abandoned for decades, some even dating back to the early 20th century.

As you wander through the graveyard, you'll notice the eerie silence that surrounds you. The only sounds are the creaking of old wooden hulls and the rustling of seaweed in the wind. It's a hauntingly beautiful place that's sure to leave a lasting impression.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal

The Staten Island boat graveyard is a fascinating place, and it got me thinking about what happens to idle ships. Ships that are no longer in use often end up in a scrapyard like the Donjon Marine Company, which later became the Donjon Iron and Metal Scrap Processing Facility.

After World War II, the scrapyard was flooded with ships, and it became a dumping ground for old vessels. The area is now known as the Arthur Kill Boat Graveyard, Staten Island Boat Graveyard, or Tugboat Graveyard.

The scrapyard was founded in the 1930s and was initially meant to harvest valuable components from old ships. However, with the influx of ships after World War II, the scrapyard couldn't keep up, and the ships began to pile up.

Today, the scrapyard is still in operation, primarily used to strip down old tugboats and cargo ships. The process involves dismantling the ships to sell essential components or recycle them.

The Staten Island boat graveyard is home to various types of ships, including Navy ships, harbor ships, tugboats, and more. Some of these ships have sunken and are partially submerged in the mud and shallow water, waiting to be dismantled or salvaged.

The operation has been in place for over 90 years, and it's a testament to the importance of recycling and repurposing old ships.

The Staten Island Boat Graveyard is a fascinating and eerie place to explore. Located in Arthur Kill, West Shore, Staten Island, this marine scrapyard has been in operation since the 1930s.

It was founded by John J. Witte and is officially called the Donjon Iron and Metal Scrap Processing Facility. The site is a dumping ground for old wrecked barges, decommissioned ferries, and tugboats.

The boat scrapyard was originally intended to harvest old vessels for valuable parts, but the shipbreakers couldn't keep pace with the influx of boats, especially after it became a dumping ground for old dinghies.

Some ships have fallen into such disrepair that they have been left to rot in the murky tidal waters. The site has been called an "accidental marine museum" due to the presence of historic vessels.

Here's a list of some of the vessels you can find at the Staten Island Boat Graveyard:

The site is hard to reach, with "No trespassing" signs posted around the area. However, marine historians and photographers often visit the site via boats or kayaks to explore the decaying ships.

Visiting the Tugboat Graveyard is not for the faint of heart. Technically, tourists are not permitted to tour New York's ship graveyard due to safety concerns.

The previous owner, John J. Witte, was notorious for chasing off curious trespassers, and his son, Arnold, continued this policy. The current owners, Donjon Marine Company, share the same stance.

If you do decide to sneak a peek, be prepared to navigate through seven-foot-tall reeds that stink of brine and guano. Some adventurous souls, like journalists and artists, have managed to explore the site despite the "No Trespassing" and "Beware of Dog" signs.

Visiting the Tugboat Graveyard can be a bit tricky, but I'll give you the lowdown. Technically, tourists are not permitted to tour New York's ship graveyard.

The previous owner, John J. Witte, was known for chasing off curious trespassers, and his son Arnold continued this policy after he took over. The current owners, Donjon Marine Company, share the same view.

The site's full grandeur is visible once you sneak beyond the "No Trespassing and Beware of Dog" signs and hack through a miasma of seven-foot-tall reeds. These reeds smell of brine and guano, so be prepared for a pungent experience.

Journalists, artists, filmmakers, historians, kayakers, and thrill-seekers have all found their way to the Arthur Kill Ship Graveyard, despite the warnings.

The Staten Island Boat Graveyard is closed to the public for safety reasons, which is understandable given the hazards of the old boats and ships.

It's a hard to reach location, and access is forbidden due to "No Trespassing" and "Beware Of Dog" signs.

Some adventurous photographers and artists have been known to explore the decaying ships with kayaks and other boats, despite the risks.

You'll need a car, sturdy footwear, and a willingness to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law to visit the site.

Tours: None

This is not a place for the faint of heart, and it's best to appreciate the site from a distance.

The Arthur Kill Shipyard was a major shipbuilding facility located on the Arthur Kill, a strait that separates Staten Island from New Jersey.

This shipyard was a key part of the Staten Island boat graveyard, with many abandoned ships and boats ending up in the area.

The shipyard operated from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, with a peak production of over 100 ships per year during World War II.

During its operation, the shipyard employed thousands of workers, mostly from the surrounding communities.

Many of the ships built at the Arthur Kill Shipyard were cargo vessels, tankers, and passenger ships, which were often sold or scrapped after their useful life.

The shipyard's closure in the 1950s left behind a legacy of abandoned and decaying ships, which would eventually become part of the Staten Island boat graveyard.

On a similar theme: Mare Island Naval Shipyard

The Arthur Kill Ship Graveyard is located on Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City.

It's situated in the neighborhood of Rossville on the western shore of Staten Island, near the Arthur Kill Road.

The area takes its name from Col. William E. Ross, a landowner who built a replica of England's Windsor Castle nearby.

The ship cemetery is in the Arthur Kill waterway, sometimes called the Staten Island Sound, which flows between Staten Island and New Jersey.

Arthur Kill is a border for Freshkills Park and the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island.

It's also part of the Chemical Coast in New Jersey, named after the Conrail freight railway that provided service to chemical plants.

The ships found in the boat graveyard were made with toxic chemicals, which is a part of the area's industrial past.

For your interest: New York–New Jersey Harbor Estuary