Our Story

A Brief History

Construction on the Onrust began in 2006 at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, upstate New York and was based on historic Dutch shipbuilding techniques guided by recent marine archaeology.

Specialized 17th century shipbuilding methods by the Dutch and their invention of automated use of wind-powered sawmills to process wood, enabled the Dutch to produce ships better, faster, and more efficiently than any other European country at the time and made them the undisputed market leaders in European shipbuilding for many decades.

Authentic Dutch shipbuilding methods were used throughout the Onrust's construction with designs based on breakthrough research from maritime specialists at the National Institute of Ship Archeology in Lelystad, the Netherlands.
According to historical records, the ship Block built, was a "yacht", a ship type invented by the Dutch in the late 16th century, and named "yacht" for its speed, the Dutch word for "hunt" or "chase". The archeological research enabled us to rebuild the Onrust exactly in the style and with similar methods and materials used in 17th century shipbuilding. It was also the first time an original yacht of this time period had been rebuilt in modern era.

The general dimensions of the Onrust and other pertinent information on this New Netherland chapter of early explorers were recovered from the original 17th century records relating to the first trading activities in America in the Archives of the City of Amsterdam and the National Archives in The Hague, The Netherlands.

With a shallow draft of 4,5 feet, the 52- foot leeboard yacht is perfect for use on coastal waterways and inland river and canal systems. The ship's hold and spacious deck can accommodate up to 33 passengers.

The Onrust Project, a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization incorporated in the State of New York, was organized to support the construction and management of the Onrust. The ship was completed and launched on May 20th, 2009 during the state's Quadricentennial 400th anniversary of the first Dutch exploration of the river by Henry Hudson.

Onrust Team

Greta Wagle, founding member and driving force behind The Onrust Project functions as the Executive Director, a role she has assumed pro bono for the last 17 years (2006-2023). She is currently Board President. She is a graduate of the University of Leuven, Belgium, (KU Leuven) with a masters in Dutch and English philology.

Peter Tobiessen, former Union College Biology Professor and Jim Rothrock, an Engineering graduate from Alfred University, serve as Treasurer and Secretary of the Board, respectively. Both are longtime dedicated volunteers involved with the vessel's construction and maintenance and are closely familiar with the ship's operations and needs.

From the early stages in the project an indispensable multi-talented Onrust Team has played a crucial role in its mission. Many of them shipbuilders and engineers, not only participated in constructing the ship but also assisted with educational programming, crewing on the vessel, fundraising, marketing and event planning.

Members of the Onrust Team playing an active role during the last 8 years: Dave Nilson, Al Van Sleet, Don Richard, Jerry and Linda Bobar, Steve Lomnes, Tim Rice, Donna & Joe Repicky, Tony Maffeo, Gene Tozzi, Michael Doraby, Suzanna Van Schoonhoven, Charly Long, Mark & Barb Turpin, Karen McKenna and Gary Allen.

Onrust Captains

Dan Thompson: current Onrust Captain, Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT

Former New York Captains:
Michael Abegg: New York Harbor School, Governors Island, NY
Guy Falkenheimer: Hudson Cruises, Hudson, NY
Julia Wilson, Kingston, NY

Onrust Consultants

Scarano Boat Building, Inc., Port of Albany, engineer Bill Hubert, owners John and Rick Scarano, yard supervisor Eric Everson,
consultants during construction process and while in dry dock at the Boat Building site off-season.

North Atlantic Boatbuilding, Maine: owner Dave Short.

Onrust Partners

Mabee Farm Historic Site/Schenectady County Historical Society
Scarano Boat Building Inc, Port of Albany
Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY
Connecticut River Museum, Essex, CT
New York State Canal Corporation
North Atlantic Boatbuilding, Maine
Broughton Charitable Private Foundation
Senator Hugh T. Farely
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Assemblyman James Tedisco
J.M. McDonald Foundation
Schenectady Heritage Foundation
The Lawler Private Foundation
Congressman Paul Tonko
Wright Family Foundation
GE Volunteer Foundation
Elfin Community Foundation
George Bowdish Sawmill Services
Peter Hess, Albany Steel
Tara Sullivan, Hudson 400 Celebration
The Hudson River Improvement Fund
Del Gallo Country Pools
Burt Crane & Rigging
Dan Verkleir
Don Jefts, Native Farms, Scotia, NY
Jim Buhrmaster Energy Group
Frank Murken Products, Schenectady, NY
Prize Construction
Holly Marine, Glenville, NY
Taylor Made Products, Gloversville, NY
Andersen Boat, Burnt Hills, NY
Cummins Northeast, Albany, NY
Mike Duffy, National Marine Manufacturers Foundation (NMMA)
Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, Waterford

Onrust Sponsors