- 16 minutes ago
Inside NYC’s oldest 150-foot floating mansion, the Yankee Ferry, history and eccentric design collide in one unforgettable tour. Built in 1907 as a luxury steamship, this steel-hulled ferry later served the Navy in both World Wars and became the only surviving Ellis Island passenger ferry.
Patrick Botticelli takes a nut-and-bolt walkthrough of the ship’s many levels in Staten Island, from the former cargo area and control room to guest quarters, the kitchen, the main living spaces, and the massive engine room. Along the way, you’ll see MacKenzie-Childs pottery, pulley-based furniture, handmade dresses, seashell art, and the original details that made this floating home feel alive for more than two decades.
It’s part historic ship tour, part alternative living documentary, and part preservation story, with panoramic harbor views, old gauges, diesel engines, and countless clever repurposed touches throughout. The Yankee Ferry is now for sale, making this a rare look inside a truly one-of-a-kind New York City landmark before its next chapter.
For viewers searching for historic home tours, ship tours, alternative living, NYC history, Ellis Island ferry history, and documentary-style walking tours, this is a rich deep dive. It also fits searches for boat house tours, unusual homes, maritime history, and unique architecture with a strong story behind it.
Patrick Botticelli takes a nut-and-bolt walkthrough of the ship’s many levels in Staten Island, from the former cargo area and control room to guest quarters, the kitchen, the main living spaces, and the massive engine room. Along the way, you’ll see MacKenzie-Childs pottery, pulley-based furniture, handmade dresses, seashell art, and the original details that made this floating home feel alive for more than two decades.
It’s part historic ship tour, part alternative living documentary, and part preservation story, with panoramic harbor views, old gauges, diesel engines, and countless clever repurposed touches throughout. The Yankee Ferry is now for sale, making this a rare look inside a truly one-of-a-kind New York City landmark before its next chapter.
For viewers searching for historic home tours, ship tours, alternative living, NYC history, Ellis Island ferry history, and documentary-style walking tours, this is a rich deep dive. It also fits searches for boat house tours, unusual homes, maritime history, and unique architecture with a strong story behind it.
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TravelTranscript
00:00:28Satsang with Mooji
00:01:03When it started, it was a boat going out to the Calendar Islands, and it was built as a luxury
00:01:09boat to go to luxury homes, and it was built to go on the high seas. So it was actually
00:01:16quite a technically advanced boat.
00:01:21And it was all about not just getting you from point A to point B, but enjoying that at the
00:01:27same time. So if you look at the photos from that time, you can see they had a chef doing
00:01:33the food, and they had an orchestra with a harpist and a violist, and they really enjoyed themselves on this.
00:01:39It must have been very special.
00:01:40This is Patrick with New Jersey's Outdoor Adventures YouTube channel. Today, I have a very special episode for you. I'm
00:01:47here in Staten Island, New York, and behind me is the Yankee Ferry.
00:01:51I have special access to give you a full tour inside and out, and this thing has an incredible story,
00:01:57and wait till you see the inside. It is unbelievable. So join me for the tour.
00:02:03All right, before we dive into the in-depth tour, let me tell you a little bit of background and
00:02:08history of the Yankee Ferry.
00:02:12This is a steel hull ferry that was originally a steamship built in 1907 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
00:02:21And it seems about every 20 years or so, it changes hands and purpose. Originally, it was just used as
00:02:29a passenger and car ferry up in Maine to transport people to different islands.
00:02:36World War I, it was repurposed by the Navy to transport the Navy men from the shore to their waiting
00:02:47ship.
00:02:48Again, in World War II, it was repurposed and used by the Navy again to transport troops. It was used
00:02:58in Boston Harbor.
00:02:59And its most significant use was a passenger ferry in and around Hoboken to transport immigrants from their ship in
00:03:11New York City to Ellis Island and then to Hoboken.
00:03:16So this is the only one that would have stopped in Hoboken.
00:03:21It is the only surviving Ellis Island ferry.
00:03:25And it's about 150 feet long.
00:03:28It's got about a 30-foot beam.
00:03:31It's been converted to massive diesel engines.
00:03:38And after its use at Ellis Island, it was used for many different things, many different owners.
00:03:44But the most recent owners for the last 23 years were Victoria McKenzie Childs and her husband Richard.
00:03:52They bought it from an antique dealer that was using it as a studio, storage, and living quarters.
00:03:58And now it's here in Staten Island, New York.
00:04:02And Victoria and Richard lived on this, and some of their family did at some points, for the last 23
00:04:09years.
00:04:10I wrote to the family about three months ago asking them if I could do a tour of this because
00:04:15it is for sale.
00:04:18And we picked the date, March 15, 2026, to do the tour.
00:04:23And unfortunately, Victoria passed away March 4, 2026.
00:04:30I would have loved to meet her and hear about her stories and history of the ferry.
00:04:40Richard's not here today, but their daughter, Heather, and her husband, Nils, are here today.
00:04:48And they gave me a walkthrough, kind of lay a land, understand what it's all about.
00:04:54And there's a lot of details inside.
00:04:57For those of you who don't know who Victoria McKenzie Childs is, she was a sculptor.
00:05:05A very talented sculptor.
00:05:13Hello.
00:05:15I'm so glad to meet you.
00:05:17My name is Victoria, and this is our very first video with you.
00:05:21We are coming out to meet you, the whole world.
00:05:25Mrs. Yankee Ferry.
00:05:51When her daughter Heather was young, she wanted to go to ballet school.
00:05:57Ballet school is very expensive.
00:06:01So to raise money for ballet school, she made some pottery.
00:06:06Her and Richard made this pottery, and it became very popular.
00:06:13Sound like hotcakes, she says.
00:06:18And the success led her to start the company, McKenzie Childs.
00:06:271983.
00:06:31So we're going to see some of that beautiful work that she's done as we go through here.
00:06:39I'm just on this little gang ramp here, and you've got to get to the end and jump, and you're
00:06:45on.
00:06:45So this is what it looks like down the side here, and there's a close-up of, this is on
00:06:53the National Register of Historic Places, built in 1907.
00:07:01Side-Loading Passenger Ferry.
00:07:05So unfortunately, Victoria lost control of the McKenzie Childs Company in 2001 due to a bankruptcy.
00:07:17And walk inside, look at this space.
00:07:21So this was the cargo area.
00:07:26So originally, when this ship was made, you could drive automobiles into this room here.
00:07:36And you could load cargo in, and you could see the steel beams that were added by the Navy for
00:07:46World War II to reinforce the wood structure of the deck above.
00:07:54And there's touches everywhere in here of Victoria's eye for design and style.
00:08:05They moved out in November of 2025, and some family members have been staying here, keeping after it.
00:08:14It's a lot of work to keep after a boat built in 1907 that's 150 feet long.
00:08:23Has the original wooden deck here on the floor.
00:08:27There's some patches made out of, looks like, brass here or copper.
00:08:35There's two seats hanging from the steel beam here up top.
00:08:43And you have a lot of the original mechanicals to operate this ferry right here in the ceiling.
00:08:53And Victoria was fascinated with pulleys.
00:08:56She loved pulleys.
00:08:58So you're going to see a lot of different things that operate on pulleys as we go through.
00:09:05And these wood-burning stoves are fully operational.
00:09:09There's wood stocked up outside.
00:09:13So let's start up here.
00:09:15So it's a little bit dark in some of these areas here.
00:09:19But look how much color she added to all the space to really make it home.
00:09:26And there's so many historical pictures here throughout, everywhere, throughout its life.
00:09:40And some of the restorations, there's been many restorations.
00:09:43But then you have some of the color touches that she added.
00:09:48The way the books are here on the ledge.
00:09:51You've got your ports here on the side.
00:09:55The original glass intact.
00:10:01So this is for sale.
00:10:03I'll put a link in the description so you can get in contact if you have interest in it.
00:10:08But it's so fascinating to me.
00:10:11This YouTube channel originally started with history of New Jersey and abandoned places and old stuff.
00:10:20And this is just what I'm really passionate about.
00:10:22In addition to RVs and camping and alternative living.
00:10:27And this sums it all up right here.
00:10:29Because this was their home for 23 years.
00:10:33But look at this.
00:10:36Unbelievable.
00:10:37So she liked the storage trunks too.
00:10:41So here's one over here.
00:10:45And a lot of natural light comes throughout.
00:10:50But every little nook and cranny you see her style and design.
00:10:57Her and Richard actually.
00:10:58Both of them both.
00:11:01We're very passionate.
00:11:06Now here's something very interesting.
00:11:10This is a table.
00:11:12And when the ship sways the table stays still.
00:11:17And she liked to counterweight things.
00:11:20And have pulleys for everything.
00:11:23So if you pull down on this.
00:11:26And that one.
00:11:28Both at the same time.
00:11:30The table could come up.
00:11:32And stay up on its own.
00:11:34Because it's counterbalanced.
00:11:36And you have some of the mechanicals here.
00:11:39For the anchor.
00:11:41This is what winds up the anchor.
00:11:42And you can see.
00:11:43The really thick chain.
00:11:48Wrapped around this cylinder here.
00:11:52And on the wall.
00:11:54All the different.
00:11:56Memorabilia.
00:11:57Related to.
00:11:59The Yankee Ferry.
00:12:03The Yankee Ferry for me is another character in our life.
00:12:09When we met Yankee.
00:12:11It was love at first sight.
00:12:13It makes you feel very attached.
00:12:15It's hard to.
00:12:16It's like a real character.
00:12:18And you can feel all the life that has gone through this boat.
00:12:21And how the boat has been catering to each situation.
00:12:25And being very sensitive to each passage of humanity through it.
00:12:30And adopting and changing.
00:12:32And always serving its people that are on it.
00:12:37We have a lot more to cover.
00:12:39There's some really cool things coming up.
00:12:43Eventually we'll be coming down these stairs.
00:12:48And back through.
00:12:50But there's so many nooks and crannies in different rooms.
00:12:54Everywhere.
00:12:55And then also some of these steel beams were added.
00:12:58They weren't here originally.
00:13:02But she added her touch to every single thing in here.
00:13:09And Richard loved seashells.
00:13:12So you'll see some of his seashell art throughout.
00:13:17And this is the rope.
00:13:22That goes through the hole here.
00:13:26Right to where we're docked currently.
00:13:29Look at this big ball of chain here.
00:13:37So if you wanted to section this area off.
00:13:39There is a Venetian type blind.
00:13:43And then there's this little seat furniture over here.
00:13:48Like I said, you know, the person that buys this could have a lot of the things that are on
00:13:54here.
00:13:54Or they could not buy them with it.
00:13:57So they're willing to work with whatever potential buyers there are out there.
00:14:03And this is where we came in.
00:14:08So this is the studio space.
00:14:10So think of this as a workshop.
00:14:12So in this workshop.
00:14:17There's all the paintbrushes that she may have used to paint various things in here.
00:14:31And a really cool old iron, probably a table saw.
00:14:46And a little hatch in the floor that we'll pop up out of later.
00:14:51That's also counterweighted.
00:14:53So you can see how she counterweighted it.
00:14:55There's a wrench.
00:14:59And just a big chunk of steel.
00:15:04But I told you I was going to give you a nut and bolt tour, right?
00:15:09Cool little older Coleman camping lantern there.
00:15:15All the wrenches here hanging on the wall.
00:15:19And look at this.
00:15:21This is painted.
00:15:22So you know when you take something off.
00:15:25That's where it goes.
00:15:28And there's little accent lights everywhere in here.
00:15:32They show me how to turn on some of the lights.
00:15:35Then we go to this area.
00:15:36And this is actually a concrete slab.
00:15:39Slab.
00:15:42In the middle.
00:15:44There's your table saw.
00:15:52And I found this very, very interesting when I came in.
00:15:58It looks like a little crib or crate.
00:16:02But there's all different types of fabrics inside.
00:16:07Over here.
00:16:09There's all the older suitcases.
00:16:12She used to find different things people would discard in the city.
00:16:17And bring them back.
00:16:18And also some of the things in here just floated here.
00:16:24Right in the water.
00:16:25During Hurricane Sandy she found a whole bunch of things that floated up right towards the ferry.
00:16:32And repurposed them.
00:16:33Here's some of the original McKenzie Child's Pottery.
00:16:40Beautiful designs.
00:16:43And another pulley system here that raises and lowers this basket.
00:16:55I mean you could spend hours in here.
00:16:58Hours.
00:16:59Just looking around at all the different decor elements.
00:17:04Placed.
00:17:05Carefully.
00:17:07Thoughtfully.
00:17:09Throughout.
00:17:19Moving back here we have some clothing here.
00:17:26She liked to make a lot of the clothes.
00:17:29So when we go down to another workshop you'll see a lot of the custom dresses that she made.
00:17:42But look at some of this stuff.
00:17:52Pretty cool.
00:17:53Oh and you know in case you're wondering what my shirt was.
00:17:57And I got my Vans on.
00:18:00She liked the checkers.
00:18:01So you're going to see a lot of that in the decor throughout.
00:18:07So this here is a guest quarters.
00:18:11This was added by her.
00:18:14It's got the checkered pattern here on the floor.
00:18:20Nice little seating area.
00:18:24A window to see out.
00:18:26You can open this up.
00:18:37Sorry about the light.
00:18:38But they like it dim in here.
00:18:40And I understand.
00:18:44Another picture of the ferry back in the day.
00:18:49That was used in Block Island.
00:18:52So the guests could have their own table in here.
00:18:55They would have their own dresser storage.
00:19:01And they get to really take a look at the cool gears and rods and everything that operate the
00:19:09mechanicals of this ship when it's seaworthy.
00:19:13In here is where a guest could stay.
00:19:23There was someone actually staying here up until a few weeks ago.
00:19:27So they might have left some stuff behind.
00:19:30They've got their little heater there.
00:19:31And then it's a bunk bed system.
00:19:33And check this out.
00:19:36You've got a twin bed up top.
00:19:38Built right into the closet with these heavy chains.
00:19:42This is a piece of pipe used at the end.
00:19:48A little faucet handle on it.
00:19:52Some ropes here by the window.
00:19:55And you can look out.
00:20:01And then down below, another little mattress with some storage bins down below.
00:20:08And then a dresser and a repurposed window.
00:20:17And some storage.
00:20:22I would say like this is a 10 by 10.
00:20:26And that room was about 8 by 10.
00:20:34All right.
00:20:35Now, that guest has their own little sink area and kitchenette.
00:20:45A heavy porcelain sink.
00:20:49And then these baskets for additional storage.
00:20:52Because the ceilings are about seven and a half feet tall.
00:20:56So this would be wasted space.
00:20:59So you could use the pulley system and drop the baskets down.
00:21:06You could hear them playing instruments upstairs.
00:21:13And in here is a little kitchenette area with a fridge.
00:21:19And then she'd done all these little tiles for the countertop.
00:21:26And even has upholstering light.
00:21:30It's kind of like how you can feel the history.
00:21:34And you can feel all the special moments that people have had.
00:21:37You can just feel that through all the pages.
00:21:40You can just still feel that specialness.
00:21:43It's been something very important to people.
00:21:48Coming down the hall.
00:21:51You could see the striped pattern here on the wall for the paint.
00:21:58And then with the Christmas lights they added seashells.
00:22:03Right onto them.
00:22:05It gives it a really cool look.
00:22:08And you can see these doors here.
00:22:12So some of these areas were off limits when it was a ferry.
00:22:16So they had these Dutch doors here.
00:22:18So the bottom portion could be shut so no one goes in.
00:22:23But they needed to have air flow in these control rooms.
00:22:29Look how thick plate all riveted in place.
00:22:38Coming in here you got some more checkered here on the floor.
00:22:42And this is the control room.
00:22:45This has that steampunk look here with the knobs and all the gauges.
00:22:57More gauges over here.
00:22:59Just really old 120 plus year old gauges.
00:23:05So I might have said it before.
00:23:07But this originally was a steamship and it was converted to diesel by the navy
00:23:13when it was repurposed.
00:23:15So some of the original steam items are in here.
00:23:21But there's so many little nooks and crannies everywhere.
00:23:27Even like whatever's behind this door.
00:23:32Just storage.
00:23:36It's a little locker area.
00:23:50And then some of the breakers here for the electrical system.
00:23:57And again, I can't just have a pull string.
00:24:01It's got this piece of wood here on the end.
00:24:08And then also in here there's an intercom system.
00:24:12So each one of the rooms has a way you could communicate.
00:24:18Hello, hello, hello.
00:24:22And then you pull this.
00:24:31Really cool.
00:24:34So here's another workbench area.
00:24:39Some of her friends and people that rent space and employees could be here.
00:24:51Some family photos up here, possibly.
00:25:12In this area this is where the propeller shaft is.
00:25:16Think of this as like the basement in someone's house.
00:25:19They told me that this here is off limits currently.
00:25:23It's a trip hazard.
00:25:24Bump your head hazard.
00:25:26Obviously we want to respect that.
00:25:29But then on this wall you got these huge...
00:25:31Look at these like big breakers.
00:25:33You could pull this up and connect electricity.
00:25:36These large gauges here.
00:25:42For DC, these are all general electric gauges.
00:25:49And the fuses here are off to the side.
00:26:02Here's another area where a guest could stay.
00:26:11Nice cozy area under this canopy.
00:26:22Whoopsy-daisy.
00:26:25We'll just leave that right there.
00:26:42You could even sleep here if you want.
00:26:47This is the hose for the bilge pump for the...
00:26:52Water goes right out the window.
00:26:56Oh, these are heavy.
00:26:59So here's something she did.
00:27:01See these?
00:27:09You could hook up both sides.
00:27:12She just frayed the end a little bit.
00:27:16To keep that open.
00:27:25A lot of thought and detail went into this.
00:27:30I think about you spent 23 years in this base.
00:27:34There's always things to change around.
00:27:38A little writing area here.
00:27:44And more bunk beds.
00:27:47I don't know.
00:27:48Maybe you could keep a count of how many beds
00:27:52we see throughout the tour.
00:28:06Back down this long hallway.
00:28:13There's a bathroom.
00:28:26A little stainless steel sink here.
00:28:34A little barn sliding door.
00:28:36Lead you into a bathtub.
00:28:51This window is a little frosted.
00:28:53So no one could see in.
00:28:54Because that's ground level right there.
00:28:56When you stand outside.
00:28:58And then all little touches here.
00:29:02Of decor related to steamships.
00:29:08And then she added a lot of this wood trim.
00:29:13To cover the steel beams.
00:29:15She didn't like the look of the steel beams.
00:29:18In the living quarters area.
00:29:31Nice little medicine cabinet.
00:29:34Look at the patina on this one.
00:29:36Look at that.
00:29:39And the faucet here.
00:29:42Look at this.
00:29:43Hot.
00:29:45D and cold.
00:29:49What is D?
00:29:50Drinking?
00:29:51I don't know.
00:29:54You like lamps?
00:29:56There's lots of lamps in here.
00:30:06Moving down.
00:30:08We have a full shower here.
00:30:12Five feet.
00:30:15By three feet.
00:30:17With special decor here.
00:30:20Of course.
00:30:21Seashell decor.
00:30:25And to complete it.
00:30:31Look at that.
00:30:33Really cool.
00:30:35Especially with the black tile.
00:30:38And this door here slides out of the way.
00:30:45Some textiles here.
00:30:51What does this sign say?
00:30:54Ahoy!
00:30:55Please flush only tissue provided by Yankee Ferry and Head.
00:31:02It's a very sensitive system.
00:31:07And then all throughout this hallway, there's little paintings inside cabinet doors.
00:31:16It's nice to celebrate the all these stories.
00:31:19You know, we're already told a little bit of the history, but you know, being intrinsically
00:31:26moving into it ourselves now because of the length of time that we've known Yankee and the
00:31:32and all the work, this, this stylish work that Victorian Richard put into it.
00:31:39It's interesting to see the layers of its original lash or, you know, going through the war thing.
00:31:46All these layers are very visible and they, they, they, they're part, they give this character,
00:31:54this personality to the boat that doesn't betray any of them.
00:32:02This is another view of this workspace.
00:32:07So now we're heading into their main living quarters.
00:32:11This is where Victoria and Richard spent most of their time.
00:32:16Of course, you got the library section.
00:32:23And this has regular windows, see, and it's no longer the port windows.
00:32:29The steel beams were covered and decorated and paneling was put up.
00:32:37I like how you have the purple contrasting against the wood on the walls.
00:32:43And there was one in the bathroom.
00:32:45I didn't highlight it, but look at this cool steam heater.
00:32:52And then light switches here.
00:32:55Turn on and off different lights throughout.
00:32:59Don't want to mess with too much, right?
00:33:02Moving on.
00:33:04Got another area to see.
00:33:06And we, of course, the striped pattern here follows through on the whole entire floor.
00:33:14And another seating area, another bell to ring.
00:33:23I love how all that natural light just spills through down that corridor.
00:33:33Very eclectic style here and decor throughout.
00:33:39And throughout, you might see some of her original pottery pieces.
00:33:45Some might not be what she made.
00:33:49It could be from students.
00:33:50It could be from friends.
00:33:56Okay, move into this space.
00:33:59So there's a huge living room.
00:34:02So this is about 12 by 20, 22.
00:34:13But then you wonder, what is this connected to?
00:34:19Pulley there.
00:34:22Goes across the ceiling.
00:34:27To another pulley over here.
00:34:33To a little basket with candy in it.
00:34:41And Richard made this seashell wreath.
00:34:45This thing is massive.
00:34:46It's about four foot in diameter.
00:34:54And you can see the floor of the ferry is on a tilt.
00:34:59So, of course, the sofa is on a tilt.
00:35:02That goes along with it.
00:35:04But then look at all these repurposed, or maybe the original, wooden beams here.
00:35:14With the design on the end.
00:35:17That is just unbelievable.
00:35:24And I love maps.
00:35:26My house is littered with maps.
00:35:29Here's an old map of Indiana.
00:35:38And what is that, a church organ?
00:35:47And then she also would repurpose a lot of these chests here.
00:35:53And look at this.
00:35:53This one is just like a dresser drawer.
00:35:59So this is probably made like this.
00:36:00But utilized in the space.
00:36:05Otherwise, it would just be in someone's attic somewhere.
00:36:08This is all part of the storage.
00:36:16Moving back.
00:36:19We're in a kitchen.
00:36:20And this is what she used to separate the space here.
00:36:25It's a whole bunch of fabric tied together.
00:36:30And instead of buying regular door handles for these cabinets,
00:36:35she found pieces of steel throughout the ferry and repurposed them beautifully.
00:36:44So this is just like a pantry storage here.
00:36:50All different assortment of nuts.
00:37:02And she always loved a set table.
00:37:05So of course, the table is set for dinner.
00:37:11And this has some of her original beautiful pottery work.
00:37:16Look at the design in there.
00:37:26It's all about the details, folks.
00:37:33And then you have this whole wall here, painted yellow, with a ledge of all the decor.
00:37:46And one cool thing, she had a story here.
00:37:49This right here, she has on a pulley.
00:37:53So I think if you push the chair enough, you could pull down on this counterweighted.
00:38:02And this will open up.
00:38:05And there's storage in there.
00:38:10And this came floating along.
00:38:13See, that could stay in whatever position you want it in.
00:38:17It's counterweighted.
00:38:18But this floated over during Hurricane Sandy.
00:38:23She grabbed it and said, I could use this.
00:38:25This would look nice in my kitchen.
00:38:35And here's some more
00:38:41original pottery.
00:38:52Very cool.
00:38:53It's very quiet in here.
00:38:57Peaceful.
00:38:59On a weekday, when the boats and the tugboats are in and out of this little harbor area.
00:39:04Sure, it could be quite noisy.
00:39:08So we're in the kitchen.
00:39:10It's a regular kitchen like anybody would have, right?
00:39:14Except Victoria and Richard added their touch
00:39:18to everything.
00:39:18What really stood out to me is this bright red sink.
00:39:23That is really, really cool.
00:39:27And right above the sink, you have a light.
00:39:32And some really old utensils.
00:39:38And of course, the coffee mugs lined up for any guests that would be staying.
00:39:45Every pot and pan you would need at hand's reach.
00:39:55Some of the strainers here.
00:39:59And the fridge off to the side, so it doesn't take from the decor.
00:40:06The center island with cooking.
00:40:10It looks like a regular gas grill you'd have for barbecuing outside.
00:40:15And to cover the metal, it's just wrapped in rope.
00:40:21And somewhat of a checkered floor with a red ceramic tile.
00:40:28I really like the hardware here on the windows.
00:40:33And see that right there?
00:40:35That's where her chickens would be in that chicken coop.
00:40:39So that side will stay covered and they'll have this much of a window onto the world.
00:40:45This way, there's a protection from storms.
00:40:48That's the thing.
00:40:49We still have to keep it covered enough that they can retreat into a dry part of the quarters here.
00:40:59But all these little doors.
00:41:01There's so many doors to go outside.
00:41:03They all open.
00:41:11And that's it.
00:41:12This area here was where she had the most beautiful
00:41:18hens.
00:41:21This is the rear.
00:41:25Make sure I close everything for them.
00:41:30Okay.
00:41:32All right.
00:41:33Now we're going to go into her bedroom next.
00:41:39Of course, it's got its own different style floor covering.
00:41:47Double size bed.
00:41:56Large painting.
00:41:57She had a lot of friends that were artists.
00:42:00She never considered herself an artist.
00:42:03She considered art less.
00:42:06It was a better term.
00:42:09She didn't like labels.
00:42:12And look how she dressed up.
00:42:14The steel beams and this.
00:42:15Just pieces of plywood.
00:42:19Randomly placed in different spots.
00:42:23Different colors.
00:42:26Over here we got some more.
00:42:29Bunk beds.
00:42:33Of course you got a privacy curtain.
00:42:35Down below.
00:42:40Another bed.
00:42:42And a window.
00:42:49I'm really excited about this opportunity to come in here before it's sold and document
00:42:59some of the history, some of the story and a lot of the decor and design.
00:43:06Like look at these lamps that she made.
00:43:10It's an old piece of a ship cut with a torch.
00:43:16And then this piece up top that looks like a corset piece of a dress.
00:43:24The way it's fluted and flared out.
00:43:29And the different shoes, footwear.
00:43:35These look like mostly Richards.
00:43:42And more down there.
00:43:44There's more to go.
00:43:45So let's keep going.
00:43:48All right now next room is right off to the side here.
00:43:54Oh look at this.
00:43:55I didn't even notice this little rocking lion horse.
00:43:59Rocking horse lion.
00:44:01There's another bedroom here.
00:44:03This has a yellow painted plywood floor.
00:44:07With another double bed.
00:44:10And if you notice at the top of the bed.
00:44:14There's a portrait here.
00:44:15A family photo.
00:44:18Well there's Richard.
00:44:21Of course Victoria.
00:44:24And their daughter Heather.
00:44:27Someone painted this for them.
00:44:29And it was such a large piece.
00:44:31They didn't know where to put it.
00:44:32So when they moved into the Yankee Ferry.
00:44:35She said what a great place to put it.
00:44:38It would be right over the bed.
00:44:41There's a little canopy.
00:44:45And I think at one point on here.
00:44:47They had some Dachshunds.
00:44:49But look at these little closet area.
00:44:53Lots of storage.
00:44:54Throughout this whole entire ferry.
00:44:57Look at all the drawers there.
00:44:58Closet.
00:45:00Another closet.
00:45:02More storage.
00:45:03And of course more lamps.
00:45:05Look at this one.
00:45:07Handmade.
00:45:09Lamp.
00:45:10And this is a smaller room.
00:45:12So this is probably like 10 by 8.
00:45:15So what did she do to make it feel bigger.
00:45:19She did a wall of mirrors.
00:45:23All different mirrors.
00:45:25Things that people were throwing away.
00:45:26Broken mirrors.
00:45:28So she just reused them.
00:45:30And it does.
00:45:31It actually does make the space feel a lot bigger than it actually is.
00:45:39So.
00:45:42Anybody want a corn dog?
00:45:46Mm-hmm.
00:45:48All right.
00:45:49Now we're going to head up this flight of stairs with the black and white steps.
00:45:56These are a heavy steel steps.
00:46:00And this is the passenger area.
00:46:02This is the floor where the passengers would sit in these original long bench seats that go down the whole
00:46:11entire side.
00:46:16And this would have been the passengers for the Navy, would have been the passengers for the ferrygoers, would have
00:46:23been passengers for people
00:46:29That were going to Ellis Island.
00:46:33Immigrants coming into this country for the very first time.
00:46:37This table is also on a pulley system.
00:46:41But you need four people to lift it up.
00:46:44Because they would entertain and have parties in here occasionally.
00:46:53And look at the orange seat material here.
00:46:58And the table could sway as the ferry sways back and forth.
00:47:04And the dishware could stay put and it wouldn't fall off.
00:47:11Moving down this way.
00:47:14We have another painting here of Heather as a child.
00:47:22As a centerpiece to the stairway.
00:47:27Of course there's a chandelier light to light up this area.
00:47:34And then when various people used to stay, they had different guest quarters.
00:47:40So tucked away behind the staircase here.
00:47:44Squeeze through.
00:47:47And duck.
00:47:48There's a twin bed there.
00:47:51And then above it is a basket on a pulley system.
00:47:56That they could raise and lower.
00:47:59And then this area was sectioned off.
00:48:02As maybe a closet or a changing area.
00:48:06This originally would have been a bathroom.
00:48:08You could see the bathroom fan here.
00:48:10And bathroom light.
00:48:14And then it has a desk here off to the side.
00:48:25It's about flexibility.
00:48:28And that's what it is about.
00:48:29To get into this room you got to do a little flex.
00:48:32Not going to lie.
00:48:33You got to duck and twist.
00:48:36And this is just a beautiful, elegant space.
00:48:42In this passenger floor.
00:48:44It's just so wide open.
00:48:47Coming down this way.
00:48:49I haven't been here, but.
00:48:53We'll see what's here.
00:48:57Got a little fridge there.
00:49:00And then a.
00:49:03Bathroom.
00:49:04All right.
00:49:04So that's what that room originally would have been.
00:49:07It would have been two stalls.
00:49:09One of them was converted to a bed area.
00:49:11And then a sink.
00:49:15Remember I said they had dosh hounds.
00:49:17Well here you go.
00:49:22That door just wants to close itself.
00:49:26Because we're at an angle.
00:49:27And we're on a.
00:49:28A boat.
00:49:29Look at this.
00:49:32These you would pick up.
00:49:34And it's like a.
00:49:36Hanger.
00:49:37So you'd pick this up.
00:49:39And lay it down.
00:49:40And you can dry.
00:49:41Or hang things up.
00:49:43In there we got the toilet.
00:49:47I can't wait to see what the next.
00:49:50People that buy this do.
00:49:52Because.
00:49:54You know.
00:49:55I would hate to see it lose.
00:49:57A lot of it's.
00:49:59Cool character.
00:50:00It has now.
00:50:02Maybe.
00:50:03Someone else that appreciates.
00:50:08Its beauty.
00:50:09Will keep it this way.
00:50:10And here is.
00:50:12Sandy Hook New Jersey.
00:50:15Staten Island.
00:50:17Bayonne.
00:50:19Ferrazano Bridge.
00:50:20So we're right about.
00:50:23Here.
00:50:24This is where it is.
00:50:25In Staten Island.
00:50:27Of course you got Brooklyn.
00:50:28And Long Island.
00:50:34They've got a lot more to show.
00:50:36Thanks for sticking around.
00:50:39And I like how.
00:50:41There's fabric hanging.
00:50:43All over the bottom.
00:50:44Of the table.
00:50:45It really gives it a nice look.
00:50:50So you have some of the original guts.
00:50:52To the steamship here.
00:50:55That she.
00:50:56Painted.
00:50:58Looks cool.
00:51:00And then you got a living room space.
00:51:02And here is the.
00:51:03Musical instrument we heard.
00:51:06When we're downstairs.
00:51:08Stairs.
00:51:08And I'm told.
00:51:11That this.
00:51:11Was done by.
00:51:13Richard.
00:51:14He loves seashells.
00:51:16And.
00:51:17They believe this to be the original.
00:51:20Wood burning stove here.
00:51:22That's still in use.
00:51:24I would rollerblade throughout.
00:51:27The city.
00:51:28We had this big.
00:51:30Stroller.
00:51:30The three of you too are trying.
00:51:32Yeah.
00:51:33Whose day is she.
00:51:34Yeah.
00:51:34I was the first to rollerblade.
00:51:36Then my mom started rollerblading.
00:51:39Period.
00:51:40And we had a.
00:51:41We had like this big.
00:51:42Big stroller for the two.
00:51:44Our two kids.
00:51:45And we would just.
00:51:47You know.
00:51:48Roll through the city.
00:51:49And roll just right up to the boat.
00:51:50Yeah.
00:51:50It was magic.
00:51:51Yeah it was just one of the kind of experience.
00:51:54I don't think many people have that experience.
00:51:57We can literally drive from the West Side Highway.
00:52:00Onto the pier.
00:52:01And park by the boat.
00:52:03And you know.
00:52:05Not only that.
00:52:05But just the boat.
00:52:06Like we said.
00:52:07With all this community.
00:52:08Feeling around it.
00:52:10And everybody loved the boat so much.
00:52:15And of course.
00:52:19You got this area here.
00:52:24And I know you guys want to see this room from this angle.
00:52:30Yeah.
00:52:30It's cool.
00:52:32Moving up.
00:52:33We have some more seating area.
00:52:38On swings here.
00:52:40And she was trying to divide the space.
00:52:43And not keep it as wide open as it was.
00:52:46So she found this in a junkyard.
00:52:48And hung it here.
00:52:49And it sort of divides the space right up for you.
00:52:53And up here is the worn piano.
00:52:58The piano that never goes out of tune.
00:53:09Right up here at the, I guess, the bow of the ship here.
00:53:13The ferry.
00:53:25And some of these flowers were put in recently before she passed away.
00:53:31Of course, they are aging.
00:53:46Nice piece of driftwood there.
00:53:49All right.
00:53:50So now we're going to head outside.
00:53:56So this is just a massive deck here that goes all the way down the side.
00:54:03And, you know, you don't realize how big it is when you stand over there outside where the cars are
00:54:11parked.
00:54:12And looking at it, I mean, it's big.
00:54:14But once you walk on this deck, you realize how massive this thing is.
00:54:23And up front here, you've got a nice little lounge area.
00:54:29Of course, a huge clock here in the front.
00:54:37Right now, these stairs are in a little disrepair.
00:54:43But someone gave her some swings so she would actually just sit on them and swing and talk to people
00:54:51when they walked by.
00:54:53That's two more swings on this side.
00:55:02And, you know, deck chair is in remarkable shape.
00:55:07They really kept after pretty well.
00:55:11On this side, you could see all the firewood they had stashed when they went to a property in upstate
00:55:22New York.
00:55:23They would bring down some of the firewood to use.
00:55:32Maybe a little bit of damage.
00:55:34Or there used to be a pole here, and the railing was wrapped around that pole.
00:55:40That's probably what it was.
00:55:47There's another floor.
00:55:49Another layer.
00:55:58And down these stairs is one of the first rooms that we went in.
00:56:01Of course, they have, up here, nice little patio area.
00:56:07The sun just decided to peek out as we came up here.
00:56:11Richard put this together.
00:56:13He's got some teak furniture.
00:56:15And then we'll go up these stairs.
00:56:18Right now, they have it wrapped for winter to preserve the wood up here.
00:56:25But we could go inside, because there's another living space there.
00:56:37So she had visions of adding a chicken coop up top there to keep it away from the raccoons.
00:56:46And repurposing this here.
00:56:52But unfortunately, that's not an option.
00:56:56Right now, Richard had some strokes, and he's unable to speak and work on the Yankee Ferry anymore.
00:57:08This is where we were just there with the steps.
00:57:20Pretty cool how they were going to repurpose this.
00:57:31Hey, it's got a standard 30-amp RV, Marine Co. connection.
00:57:37Nice one, though.
00:57:41So this whole area is living quarters, and it's my favorite part.
00:57:50Victoria did throw some really special events, parties, you know, on this boat, with her style, and her themes, and,
00:58:00you know, the hymn singing, and the dressing up, and, you know, I don't know, the epiphanies.
00:58:10She had lots of epiphanies here.
00:58:12Epiphanies parties, yeah.
00:58:13Yeah.
00:58:14Shit.
00:58:14And thanksgivings, and...
00:58:16Yeah.
00:58:17And, you know, just...
00:58:18Carole, Christmas carols, singing.
00:58:22Yeah, and sometimes, you know, also, sometimes we've been heavily involved in, you know, taking care of an event like
00:58:29that with them or whatnot.
00:58:30And, you know, I mean, we've done that before with Mackenzie Charles also, but it was always a unique experience
00:58:37because she, you know, she would do whatever it takes to make her vision come to life.
00:58:46So it would often be extremely labor-intensive, so it would often be extremely labor-intensive, so, you know, we
00:58:53weren't shy of putting a lot of energy and time into these things, you know, which is what made them
00:58:59special, you know, all these details.
00:59:02So this would have been the captain's quarters, and this is where Heather and Nils are staying currently.
00:59:13Anyway, let's look at this.
00:59:14It's got a little kitchenette area with a fridge and a hot plate.
00:59:21Still hot.
00:59:23Window to see outside.
00:59:27Of course, the heater in front of the biggest heat loss up here, which would be the door.
00:59:33And look at the angle on the top of that door.
00:59:38A little kitchen dining area.
00:59:45And look at this.
00:59:47Behind here.
00:59:55They added this partition.
00:59:57There's a room.
00:59:59Look at this.
00:59:59This is, uh...
01:00:02Got some twin beds here.
01:00:05Bunk beds, of course.
01:00:08They're on a little slight angle.
01:00:11A workstation.
01:00:14With a beautiful window with some privacy film on it.
01:00:23Of course, you got some dresser storage.
01:00:29A mirror here off to the side.
01:00:32Some more baskets on pulleys.
01:00:36Covered up some of the beams.
01:00:38I really like this steel blue paint.
01:00:42And there's another hidden room in here.
01:00:48So look at this.
01:00:49You go up these stairs.
01:00:53Open the door.
01:00:57This flips up.
01:01:03Oh, look at that.
01:01:05It's got the wheel up here.
01:01:08Out of bed.
01:01:10But look at it.
01:01:11You get that panoramic view.
01:01:14All the way around.
01:01:25Really, really cool.
01:01:29Of course, another door to get outside.
01:01:31They blocked some of these off.
01:01:33Just too many points of entry.
01:01:37So now we're going to head down to a very special place for Victoria.
01:01:43And then the engine room.
01:01:47So there's a lot of our handmade dresses where we're going next.
01:01:58We're going to go down another flight of stairs to get there.
01:02:21So we'll head down this flight of stairs.
01:02:24Okay.
01:02:25Witness the door.
01:02:43Witness the door.
01:02:54So here it is, this is her special space go down this very steep flight of stairs
01:03:12which has toolbox and lots of little sockets next to it.
01:03:29Behind here is just stuff she would ship.
01:03:38Look at this, this is intense.
01:03:43This is insane.
01:03:44Look at the ceiling, she just finished this.
01:03:47These were given to her.
01:03:50These are all picture frames that she repurposed into paneling for the ceiling.
01:03:58And then you have some of the original pottery just all throughout.
01:04:09And of course a really cool design on the floor and a hammock to sleep in.
01:04:22You could get a better idea of the cool looking floor and there's the holy grail.
01:04:31This is just a photo area.
01:04:32If she was selling something she could capture it properly.
01:04:38They have guests over so maybe that's what the racket is you hear.
01:04:46Is this one of the original, this is where the crew would sleep.
01:04:53I think you could put 16 people in here.
01:04:56Maybe this is one of the original beds suspended.
01:05:03Lots of really cool things in here.
01:05:08But that ceiling is intense.
01:05:13But there's more.
01:05:15Just when you think you've finished and you've seen everything, there's more.
01:05:19Look what's back here.
01:05:23This is my absolute favorite part.
01:05:29This is our own special private place.
01:05:37We have a room here.
01:05:40With all her sewing stuff.
01:05:56I like how she painted the ceiling red.
01:06:05Could have been Richard's.
01:06:08A long coat.
01:06:12We go across the hall.
01:06:17You have this room.
01:06:19Another door within a door.
01:06:22She would press all the linens.
01:06:28For all the tablecloths when guests would come over.
01:06:34In this room here.
01:06:41There's a little closet over here.
01:06:44Hard to see.
01:06:46When I back up.
01:06:51I have some of her boots and belts.
01:06:56And then a lot of her handmade dresses.
01:07:00So a lot of the pictures you would see of her in newspapers and in magazines and on TV.
01:07:07And on YouTube.
01:07:10She might have been wearing some of these dresses.
01:07:20Look at this one.
01:07:23It's like construction fence.
01:07:33Tea time.
01:07:40And then there's more over here.
01:07:51And every nook and cradity there is even more.
01:07:54There's just another area.
01:07:56That's utilized for different projects.
01:08:07And most of the times you would see her in this exact.
01:08:13Coveralls here.
01:08:15Coated with paint.
01:08:17Pottery.
01:08:21But when she had something special.
01:08:25She would wear one of these outfits.
01:08:31All right.
01:08:32Now.
01:08:33A little closet over here.
01:08:36With more.
01:08:41Vintage denim.
01:08:48And then we're going to pop up through the floor.
01:09:11And we're going to go to the engine room.
01:09:27Down these stairs.
01:09:31You've got to duck and hold on.
01:09:35down.
01:09:35Because it is tight.
01:09:48And here we are.
01:09:52So you've got.
01:09:54The Navy added these massive diesel engines in here.
01:09:58Just massive.
01:10:02One here.
01:10:04You've got another one over there.
01:10:08This is probably the generator.
01:10:13And you can see.
01:10:15Just all the mechanicals.
01:10:18You would need to really know what you're doing to get this thing to operate.
01:10:29See all the rivets there on the steel hull of the ship.
01:10:37The access ports to service one of the diesel engines.
01:10:42And some of the pumps.
01:10:45Maybe some of the steam original parts.
01:10:49Maybe one of the original seats with wheels on it.
01:10:53That a mechanic would use to service everything.
01:10:58Air movers over there.
01:11:04Or breakers.
01:11:11Wow.
01:11:16And then you have on this side.
01:11:19A little hangout area.
01:11:28And the other side of this engine.
01:11:32To get the scale of things.
01:11:34And more mechanicals over here.
01:11:40Tanks.
01:11:44Now I know you're asking by now.
01:11:50Where's the fuel?
01:11:51Well.
01:11:52Come.
01:11:53Come with me.
01:11:54Well before we do.
01:11:55This is cool looking.
01:11:59Even like this where all the light switches are.
01:12:03Step over this.
01:12:05And down.
01:12:08It smells like diesel in here slightly.
01:12:11Because this is where the diesel tank is.
01:12:15Got two huge massive diesel tanks.
01:12:212,468 gallons of diesel.
01:12:26Could sit in this massive tank.
01:12:30That's welded and riveted to the hull.
01:12:37And you got the water system over here.
01:12:44Maybe another diesel generator.
01:12:47Or.
01:12:51I don't know.
01:12:52I don't know enough about big ships like this.
01:12:56It's General Motors.
01:13:04And then you have a modern style.
01:13:06Oil heating system.
01:13:11Looks like it's been bled recently.
01:13:16Get the air out of the lines.
01:13:18Got another.
01:13:20Heating system.
01:13:21Or possible generator.
01:13:24And another massive diesel tank.
01:13:29And some supplies here.
01:13:38Wow.
01:13:45So it's for sale.
01:13:47I'll put a link in the description.
01:13:50So you guys can click over.
01:13:51And check out the ad.
01:13:53And pricing.
01:13:54And contact them.
01:13:55If you're.
01:13:56Interested in.
01:13:58Taking a tour.
01:13:59Or learning more about it.
01:14:03I'm going to head back up the.
01:14:04Skinny flight of stairs.
01:14:07Wrap this up.
01:14:23This is Patrick with New Jersey's Outdoor Adventures YouTube channel.
01:14:27Thanks for joining me today for this special episode.
01:14:30I really appreciate you guys sticking around.
01:14:33I'll see you in the next tour.
01:14:39Bye.
01:14:41Bye.
01:15:09Bye.
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