JOHN A. LYNCH (ferryboat)
Also known as: Major General William H. Hart
Why it's listed
Moored at Pier 15 on the East River in Manhattan, the John A. Lynch is a steel-hulled, steam-powered ferryboat launched in 1925 by the Staten Island Shipbuilding Company at Mariners Harbor. It measures 151 feet long with a 53-foot beam and was built to load passengers and vehicles from either end. It entered city service in July 1925, first running between Clason's Point in the Bronx and College Point in Queens, and later served on nearly all the city's routes. The Army Quartermaster Corps bought it in 1940 for the Governors Island run, renamed it Major William H. Hart, and added a second passenger deck. The Coast Guard took it over in 1965, and it was donated to South Street Seaport Museum in 1970. Original railings, lifeboats, benches, wheelhouse controls and both compound steam engines remain. It is the last of sixteen sister vessels still afloat, which is why it was listed.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a rare, intact example of an early twentieth-century double-ended New York harbor ferry. It is the last of sixteen vessels of its class still afloat. It survives as a transportation artifact of the city's extensive ferry network.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84002775, listed September 7, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Pier 15, East River, Manhattan, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | September 7, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002775 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1925 |
| Architect / builder | Staten Island Shipbuilding Company |
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good and altered; the ship is presently used for offices at South Street Seaport Museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | South Street Seaport |
| Coordinates | 40.70504, -74.00181 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84002775.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6217802
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.