MACHIGONNE (ferry)
Also known as: Yankee
Why it's listed
Built in 1907 by Neatie & Levy of Philadelphia, the ferryboat Machigonne, later called Hook Mountain, Block Island and finally Yankee, is a riveted steel, propeller-driven ferry now berthed at Pier 25 in Manhattan. She was launched to carry passengers, cargo and livestock between Maine's Casco Bay islands and the mainland. In 1913 she moved to a Boston route, and in 1917 she served as a patrol boat and troop ferry in Boston Harbor. From 1921 she carried immigrants between steamers, Ellis Island and New York City, and in the 1930s she carried tour passengers around the harbor. Her engine was replaced in 1947, but the engine room layout, passenger salon, oak benches, mahogany trim and wheelhouse fittings survive from the original vessel. Few ferries of this type remain. She was listed as an intact example of an early twentieth century steam ferry and as a vessel tied to New York's maritime history. She now serves as an excursion boat and museum.
Significance in brief: The ferry is argued to be an intact example of an early twentieth century propeller-driven steam ferry (Criterion C). It retains a high degree of original fabric and is one of few survivors of a once-numerous class of American steam vessel. It also represents an aspect of New York's maritime history, including work for the U.S. Immigration Service at Ellis Island (Criterion A, added at listing).
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 92001610, listed December 3, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Pier 25, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | December 3, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92001610 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1907-1942 |
| Architect / builder | Neatie & Levy (builder) |
| Architectural style | Other: Propeller-driven ferry |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as an excursion boat and museum at Pier 25, New York Harbor. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.72173, -74.01554 (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 92001610.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8048729
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.