Tuesday, July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025 Into new Territory

 Tuesday  July 1, 2025  Clayton NY to Cedar Island Anchorage  23 miles and 3.5 hours

Heading out the Thousand Islands...partly through an area we visited while looping, but then getting into new territory.   We had about 7 new loopers at the marina for the last two days and looks like most are heading out with us today. About half were stopping at Boldt Castle where we visited and anchored for July 4th back in 2019.  You can read about it here if interested. 

On the Water with As You Wish

Passing Boldt Castle. Boat harbor entrance on left,
 children's play fort at water's edge
 and the castle in the background.
 
More renovation in progress - never ending task with a 120 year old castle

The other half of the loopers headed up to Singer Castle with us.   The day started off with a heavy haze and 10-15mph SW winds at our back. Only downside to the haziness was it didn't provide quite the picturesque vistas you normally have while going by the islands. 

Picturesque lighthouses all along the river

Thousand Islands tour boat bearing down on us through the haze

Thousand Island International bridge - connects US and Canada

Relatively short cruise, so we opted to stop about half-way up in Alexandria Bay for a pump out and to top off the tanks with "cheap" US diesel before crossing into Canada.  We did our big fill-up back in Brewerton so just another 100 gallons today. 

2025 picture

2019 picture when looping. Great Lakes were all well above normal levels

Made it to Singer castle and circled the island then over to Cedar Island and anchor set by 1:30. We'll take the dingy over and tour Singer Castle tomorrow. 

Sun setting behind Cedar Island anchorage

Journey for July 1, 2025


Wednesday July 2nd - still at anchor.

Beautiful sunny morning to start the day.  A bit warmer getting up into the 80's. Beautiful clear water, but at just 67 degrees too cold for me to jump in! Today's activity is dropping the dingy and heading over to tour Singer Castle.   They open at 10 and if you get there before the tour boats at 11 you pretty much get a private tour.   Unlike Boldt castle where you wander at your leisure, 45-minute guided tours are done here to match the coming and going of the tour boats. Unfortunately for us, that makes for a quick pass through with little time for really exploring and enjoying the sense of place, history, construction, etc.  

Singer Castle viewed from the river. Small boathouse at front

Big Boathouse on backside of island is undergoing renovation.
Also housed the power plant, water pumps, etc. 

While both Boldt and Singer castles were being built at the same time, the two castles are distinctly different.   Boldt was never completed, and NY State has been slowly renovating it for 45 years bringing it up to the looks and grandeur of what it would have been if completed.  Singer Castle was completed in 1905 and lived in by Bourne family members until 1961. 

A winding walkway would take guests up to the front entrance 
with this imposing view of the main tower.

 Frederick Bourne was the sixth Director and President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.  Got that position at age 38 and made his fortune. His use of the installment plan to make sewing machines a household item fueled the company's growth during his tenure.  He hung around with the likes of the Rockerfellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, and Morgans. Had a passion for fast Mercedes cars and yachts.  Was a Commodore of the NY Yacht club and belonged to the exclusive Jeckyl Island Club. Built a massive estate on the South Shore of Long Island as his primary family residence completed in 1897. Indian Neck Hall had 110 rooms, 75,000 sq. ft and was situated on 1000 acres.  The architect was Ernest Flagg who was also commissioned to design the "hunting lodge" on Bournes's recently acquired island on the St. Lawrence.  Flagg's design was inspired by a castle in Scotland described in Sir Walter Scott's 1826 book 'Woodstock' which he had been reading.  A medieval stonework design with dungeons, tunnels, and secret passages. Built over just two years in 1903-1905 at a cost of $500,000.  Five stories tall with just 28 rooms forces you to meander about inside.
  
The Grand Entrance Hall. 300 workers - many Italian stonemasons -
worked year round for two years to complete the building

Main staircase made of marble guarded by knight in armor

View of the St. Lawrence from the balcony off the breakfast room

The Gameroom

Lots and lots of stairs

A corner of the library which was originally the billiard room. 
  Over 200 volumes - many first editions.

It was originally called "The Towers on Dark Island" when completed.  Major renovations were done in 2003 after being bought by a new owner who then opened it for tours and renamed it Singer Castle.  The property includes the castle, ice house, squash court building, front boathouse and the rear boathouse which is currently undergoing renovation.  It was designed to accommodate a 125' steam yacht that Bourne had designed.  Overall, a nice tour but too much to take in with just 45 minutes available. One last thing.  You can rent out the Royal Suite on the third floor and stay at the castle overnight for about $1000/night.  

Secret passages

And hidden tunnels allowed the seven house staff to move freely about the property
 without disturbing the family and guests



Back at the boat it's an afternoon of relaxing. Researching and writing this blog.  A bit of cleaning bugs off the boat, a little sunbathing, hoisting the dingy back in place and finishing the day with a nice cookout for dinner on the boat. 

Your blogger hard at work.


July 1, 2025 Into new Territory

  Tuesday  July 1, 2025  Clayton NY to Cedar Island Anchorage  23 miles and 3.5 hours Heading out the Thousand Islands...partly through an a...