Flotilla of Historic Ships

As part of a statewide yearlong celebration to mark the 400th anniversary -- the Quadricentennial -- of the discovery of the Hudson River by Captain Henry Hudson, a flotilla of historic ships set sail up the river Saturday morning. Their destination (as was Captain Hudson's, though he didn't know it at the time) is Albany, which they should reach by the 13th.

The flotilla was led by a scale reproduction of Hudson's ship the Half Moon (above), which sailed to New York from Amsterdam, manned by 18 volunteers.

As the ships travel north, they pause by waterfront communities celebrating with festivals, music and parties. Today (Tuesday), they'll arrive at Beacon/Newburgh, where they'll stay for educational programs til late afternoon.

Part of the celebration includes NYS Quadricentennial Legacy Projects like the creation of a park at Governors Island, the site of one of New York's first Dutch settlements. The Dutch royal family will be coming to town to visit, and a Governors Island Dutch Festival takes place on Sept. 13.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, there are more than 1000 events planned to celebrate this year. For example, a musician in Poughkeepsie has turned an entire bridge spanning the Hudson into a musical instrument. In September, a variety of workers in New York and Amsterdam will swap jobs for a week. There are concerts, exhibitions and events up and down the Hudson all month, and more this summer.

The Henry Hudson 400 Foundation will celebrate with commemorations in both Amsterdam and New York City, including a three-day event in September 2009 around Battery Park with special exhibitions planned throughout the city.