ALBANY, NY - A multinational group of student sailors from the Capital Region and the Netherlands will conclude the 15th annual Voyage of Discovery aboard the 17th century sailing ship replica Half Moon this Friday, re-creating the original voyage of Henry Hudson from September, 1609.
Sailing on nearly the same dates as Hudson did in 1609, the students made their way up the Hudson River from New York Harbor and will reach Albany for a formal welcoming ceremony at noon on September 19 at the Corning Preserve's Water Pumping Station.

Living aboard ship in the same manner as Hudson's original crew, these students overcame language and cultural differences in their work together. From steering and navigating, to climbing the rig to set sails and standing nightly anchor watches, the student sailors faced all manner of weather and challenges as they got a taste of the life of sailors in the early 1600s. In addition to these tasks, students also completed a rigorous academic program that combines math and science with history and geography.

The Half Moon will begin cannon salutes under the Dunn Memorial Bridge at about 11:45. A welcome from the Albany fireboat and a water display from the Office of General Services Water Pumping Station will begin about 11:30.

The replica ship, originally built in Albany, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, as well as 15 consecutive years of conducting the Voyage of Discovery program from New York Harbor to Albany. The Half Moon will be on display in full sail as part of the September 28 Early Albany event (weather permitting), a celebration of the 400 year anniversary of the founding of the first Dutch settlement in North America, Fort Nassau, located in the modern-day boundaries of Albany.

For further information and to see day-by-day reports on the Half Moon and the Voyage of Discovery, visit www.halfmoonreplica.org.