Some remarkable transits of NYS Canals have occurred. John Callaghan captured this shot of replica HMS Bounty eastbound below lock 19 in 2004. I’d love to hear from others who have photos of this vessel on the 2004–her only–transit.

I caught the following photos of Draken Harald Hårfagre just above lock 19 on September 1, 2016. She was downbound, and I was aboard Grande Mariner heading for the St Lawrence.

Draken‘s crew were as taken by us as we were by them.

Any idea where they or at least the vessel is today? Answer follows.

On August 1, 2020 I caught Pilgrim westbound just before lock 8. Recognize the flag?

The flag is Russian, and the 42′ wooden vessel was built in Petrozavodsk, Russia, a few hundred miles inland from St Petersburg. Petrozavodsk is a sister city of Duluth MN.  Captain Sinelnik Sergey based the design on drawings from an Orthodox monastery on Lake Onega, itself connected by canals to the White Sea and the Baltic.

Any idea where this vessel is today? Answer follows as well.

Draken is now back in Norway planning another sea voyage, and Pilgrim is in . . . Borneo.

I’d love to hear an account of the most unusual sights and vessels you’ve seen along the NYS Canals.