Christopher Charles Reardon: Harbor Tour

Today's class featured an interactive tour of and discussion about the Boston Harbor. When we left the dock at Long Wharf for our harbor cruise, Bruce (our professor) pointed out to us that the neighborhoods of East Boston and South Boston are really not that far apart when viewed from the harbor: that essentially, the harbor brings everybody in Boston together. He talked passionately about the harbor as a great resource for all.

Having Fun Learning About Science

One by one, Bruce described the buildings we passed including the Institute of Contemporary Arts, the Moakley Courthouse, and finally Anthony's Pier 4. Bruce reminded us that Anthony's Pier 4 represents the way the waterfront used to look (dingy and weathered) whereas the bright and shiny buildings like the courthouse and the museum represent the new Boston: an area with exceptionally high real estate values. Bruce explained to us that people like the harbor because it is an excellent source of nutrient rich water, and that it is a protected area.

As we passed Logan Airport, the boat captain alerted us to a landing plane. Shortly thereafter, we watched the plane land and could even see the smoke billowing from its tires as they hit the runway. Bruce explained to us that Logan Airport used to consist of three individual islands the names of which he cannot remember.

Nixes Mate

 I was fascinated at the idea that although Boston Harbor is a rich industrial area, nobody really makes anything there anymore. Despite that lack of current manufacturing activity, the harbor seems filled with goings-on. We saw pleasure boats, fishing boats, shuttle, and tourist boats throughout the tour. At whichever shore one looked, people were casting fishing rods. Bruce described many of the islands in the harbor in detail. He talked about Deer Island: location of the Deer Island Treatment Plant. Bruce told us an interesting fact about the politics of Deer Island by describing the patronage jobs available for people to paint the facility for $60,000 per year. Furthermore, we discussed the method by which the paint is chosen: by the citizens of Winthrop Massachusetts. Bruce explained how in its past, Deer Island was, quite literally, the place where Native Americans stored deer because there were no natural predators on that island. Next, we passed newly built Spectacle Island, Long Island (home of many of Boston's less socioeconomically advantaged citizens as evidenced by its sizeable number of homeless individuals and people with substance use disorders). We then went through the Narrows and past Nixes Mate beacon and into Quincy bay for our first brief stop to discharge and pick-up passengers: George's Island.

Outer Islands and Georges Island

At George's Island, the colors in the water changed. To me the water seemed cleaner and lighter in color. Bruce attributes this change in color to us being further away from the turbid river discharge from the City of Boston. As we observed the difference in the water I wondered if our observation had anything to do with the fact that this was the one time during the cruise where the sun was at its brightest. After a few minutes, we left George's Island and Bruce explained the outer islands in the distance and Boston Light. It is worthwhile to note that later on in the day (although it was difficult to really hear him over the wind and the boat motor) Bruce explained that the controversy over today's wind turbines is nothing new and relates to the time when Boston light was originally built. The citizens, at the time, complained that the proposed lighthouse (now considered a historical treasure) would destroy their views in the future. This is the same argument that people make against today’s Cape Wind project. As we approached Hull, I was pleased to see a wind turbine. We also learned that on Peddocks Island (where we saw a cute little chapel) the possibility exists that the island might eventually become three separate islands due to rising sea levels.

Fore River Shipyard View

 As we approached Houghs Neck and learned about the City of Quincy’s failed affordable housing project, we could see the Fore River Bridge and the massive industrial area of the Quincy shipyard in front of us. As soon as we went under the bridge, we could see the Cruiser Salem: its guns rotting. It is impressive to think that such vessels used to be made so close to where we all live. Furthermore, it is interesting to consider that although the businesses that originally propelled Massachusetts Bay in business: fishing, and industry. have gone away, the area is just as vibrant as ever.

Beautiful Rotting Relic

On today's cruise, I learned that we are very lucky to live in such a wonderful place. The harbor is something that I take for granted. Even though I live close to it, I never pay it any mind. I learned that the harbor acts more like a bridge than a barrier: it connects communities such as Hull, Chelsea, and Quincy to downtown Boston by just a short boat ride. It seems so much nicer to take a 30-minute boat ride to downtown than to slog down the Southeast Expressway. Whenever I think about the Boston Harbor, I am reminded of the United States presidential debate in 1988 when George Bush Senior referred to then Governor Michael Dukakis’ answer to a debate question to be “about as clear as Boston Harbor." Judging from what I saw today, and from what Bruce has taught us so far in class, that is a political argument that no longer carries any weight.

Harbor Islands

Today was my first experience with the Boston Harbor. I have lived in Boston since last September, but have never ventured out into the Harbor. I've been meaning to see this for a while, and I'm really glad that I've been able to see it today. As we left from the Long Wharf, you can barely see any islands. A delightful surprise was the proximity of the Logan Airport. I have never seen Logan Airport from this perspective, much less any of the islands. As we continued through the Harbor, Spectacle and Deer Island became more prominent in our view. Long Island also began to appear as we went through. On Deer Island, the sewage containers and facility were much larger than the image I had thought of while Professor Berman described them earlier in class. Nixes Mate was a surprising and interesting tale that I haven't heard of before. This story about the pirate is one that I will be sure to tell any friends that I take a harbor cruise with. Upon arriving at Georges' Island, one could see the beautiful landscape on and around the island. Boston's buildings were barely in sight and the Harbor demonstrated an overwhelming presence around us. I had never seen anything like this, and I loved the view. As we departed from Georges' Island, we could clearly see Peddocks Island. In my opinion, this was my favorite island. It was my favorite because of the layout of having several large heavily wooded areas and small, skinny stretches of land that seemed to be a small road connecting it to Prince Head. As we continued on the boat, we saw Nut Island and the various homes that completed the scenery. Upon arriving at Quincy, a different scenery took place. An industrial area began to emerge that reminded me of my hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey (one of the most heavily used ports in the country). While returning to Boston, I could see the various islands that I would soon be accustomed to within the next couple of days. A striking image to me was the arrival to Boston. The buildings seem to be in a perfect order while the boat approaches the dock. I noticed several student taking pictures, which I'm sure must be beautiful. I'm excited to see what Monday has in store for us after today's beautiful cruise!

Sarah Grose - Blog #2

Harbor Observations-Blog #2

Today, we went into the Boston harbor to get a broad understanding of the geographical location, ecosystem diversity and layout of the islands that make up the area we will be researching. Firstly, we looked at the edge of the harbor, where the water meets the stone barriers. We discussed how the drastic nine-foot tides can be visible my simply watching the wet look on the stones themselves. Boston has such a drastic tide, that it allows for a very drastic and unique ecosystem. We exited the main harbor area, heading for Georges Island. Because of the shape and depth of the harbor, the waters are relatively calm. Because of that, our ride was very smooth. To get to Georges Island, we went past Long Island and Spectacle Island. Georges Island is a smaller island, covered mostly by Fort Warren. Even though we did not get off the boat, we were able to observe some changes. The water surrounding Georges Island was a bluer green color, while the water in the harbor was more a grey brown color. This is because of what and how much is living in the water of that area (or lack there of). The harbor is more polluted and the ecosystems more contained, while around Georges Island, there is more room for growth. For Georges Island, we traveled to Weymouth and Quincy. This is a more industrial area. This absolutely has an impact on the surrounding water and wildlife. There were fewer birds in this area than nearer to the harbor itself. On the ride back, we saw cormorants. These birds are unique in that they are diving birds that feed on creatures below the surface. Because of this, their feathers do not repel water in the same manor that other birds do, which allows them to become wet and chilled. We observed twelve to fifteen cormorants sunning themselves on an exposed wooden structure. They were all standing on the wood, drying themselves off from diving into the cold harbor water. Their presence indicates wildlife, as they are feeding on the schools of fish in the surrounding area. As we moved back towards the harbor, it was clear we were going against the wind as the ride was choppier and colder. However, the temperature differential was noticeable almost as soon as we left the harbor. After we are out of the protection of the harbor itself, there is a market ten (or so) degree difference. We did not measure this specifically, but it was a very noticeable change.

The Harbor by Boat

Today we had the opportunity to take a tour of the Boston Harbor on the Harbor Express, which let us see a number of the Boston Harbor islands. As a class we met up at the Mariott Hotel after lunch and there we spent some time looking at the algae and water near the dock. Before we boarded, we learned about the high/low tide and about the water that used to be contaminated in the harbor. After learning a bit about how the water quality has changed from the past to now, we boarded the ferry.

The ferry took us out of Long Wharf down the Inner Harbor. We were able to take a look at Castle Island, Deer Island, the airport, Spectacle Island, Moon Island, Long Island, Nixe's Mate, Lowell and Gallop Islands before arriving to George's to pick up more passengers . After George's Island we rode the ferry all the way down to Quincy Bay, where we stopped for a few minutes to take pictures , but we remained in the boat. On this ride we passed Peddock's Island and Raccoon Island.  Quincy Fore River Shipyard was the final destination and that was a pretty amazing place filled with old ships that still had cannons attached to them and all. On the way back we traced our steps and enjoyed a peaceful boat ride back to the city of Boston.

What struck me the most was Hough's Neck, which is where subsidized housing was placed by the government. However, these facilities were placed in an absolutely terrible location with no public transportation or grocery stores nearby. The people who live there are not in a convenient location and in my opinion it would be very difficult for them to leave that place if they don't have a way to continue growing as citizens of Boston. I was actually very impressed by the individual islands and how they each play a role in the Harbor.

Something else that struck me was how every island had it's unique story. From Spectacle being shaped like sunglasses to George's Island constant number of visitors. Every island we spoke about had it's unique characteristics to it. I am glad I had the opportunity to tour the islands and actually be able to see the "large picture" of the many islands in this beautiful harbor. Today I learned how truly beautiful the different islands are and how lucky I am to be able to actually call my Harbor one of the cleanest there is, and to be able to enjoy the many benefits of the harbor.

Maria Jose Vasquez

Sarah Grose-#1

Blog Post #1
I studied environmental studies at the George Washington University, and I am just about finished with my degree. I just moved to Cape Cod, so Boston is a pretty new city to me. I wanted to take this class for a few reasons. Firstly, it was the best fields class I could find to fulfill my final degree requirements. Secondly, I wanted to get a new perspective on Boston. I've been a tourist in the city, and I've traveled around it visiting many sites since I was little. However, I've yet to get a good grasp on the city itself. Getting the opportunity to learn about the city through the lens of marine life and ecosystem diversity was intriguing to me. Additionally, I haven't taken a class about marine biology, and so this is a great opportunity for me to get another perspective on the earth and how it all works and fits together. I love the ocean because of how much it changes. The tides and wave movements make for a drastic and varied ecosystem. I love to surf, as well as many other water sports, making playing in the ocean an important part of my life. There are such spectacular marine creatures and the fact that the ocean is still so unknown, just increases its intrigue and mystery.

The experiment proposed yesterday asks the question does water move down a drain in a different direction depending on what hemisphere you are in. After reading some of the other posts as well as conducting some research of my own, it is obvious to see how simple one can become mislead. Many sources claiming to be scientifically proven are simply not rooted in fact. For that reason, many people are utterly convinced no matter what they observe, that water drains a certain direction in the northern hemisphere, and the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere. However, I have conducted my own research and found this is not true. I lived in New Zealand for a while, and when I arrived, all my friends had me looking at and flushing the toilet to see if this were actually a real phenomenon. I can conclusively say it is not. I sat, watching many a sink and toilet drain, just to convince them that in fact the water does not swirl in a certain direction and it is no different than the toilets and sinks at home in the Northern hemisphere.

Cruising The Boston Harbor

Today's field trip to the Boston harbor was an eye opening experience. I have grown up here in the Boston area. I visit castle Island frequently and gaze out into the harbor often. I've also cruised the harbor a few times before, mostly as a kid. Todays field trip truly opened my eyes to how much Bostonians depend on the harbor. The Boston harbor has been the cities life blood since its early beginnings as a settlement. The bay is protected from the open ocean by Winthrop and Hull. The harbor is deep enough for commercial shipping to pull right up to the city's ports and of load its cargo. I also realized Boston's Harbor has numerous islands scattered through out the harbor. These islands allow us to safely dispose our waste, have protected parks for wild life, and for recreation.

What stuck out to me most of all was how fast we can get around the metropolitan area just by utilizing the harbor. In about a half an hour we sailed from downtown Boston to Hull, weymouth, Winthrop, Quincy and other towns. We passed all of these towns at the beginning of rush hour and on an MBTA vessel.  If I were to attempt to pass all of these towns via my car, during rush hour, it would most likely take me hours. I would like to see the harbor used more as a means of commuting.

Cruising Boston Harbor

Starting our adventure we boarded our ship at Long wharf what we learned about was that Boston harbor at one time was actually carved out by glaciers and that's the way Stellwagen Bank was the portion that connected the landmasses together to create a pond. We were taught that all of the  wharf's and a significant portion of the land from government center to the water's edge was actually landfill. And that at one time there Bay and wetlands extended far more inland than it does today. As we peered into the boat slip there were few signs of life in the water on the pier other than algae, moss, seaweed and barnacles. The water was very brackish looking that we were told by our professor was because of algae and water from the Charles River emptying into the harbor. After we left the dock and headed out we were under the flight path for Logan Airport and had jets flying low on approach into the airport. As we look behind us we could see the USS Constitution in the Charles town Navy Yard looking forward there was a fire boat putting on a display.

Some of the interesting things we saw was the Boston skyline everything from the federal courthouse to the contemporary art museum to Anthony's Pier 4. Continuing forward it went past Fort Independence that's part of Castle Island. Some of the things that were most interesting about the inner and outer islands is this historical significance in history of these places. Many times over the years is islands of been used for corralling of deer for the Indians to waste water treatment plant. One of the most colorful stories was about a Pirate being hung at Nixes Mate, to the story of the haunting on George's Island by the Confederate widow lost her husband. On deer Island we retreated to the waste water treatment plant where we learned about the process of turning all of the ways from Boston back into portable drinking water that the recharging the ocean. Many of these islands over the years of been used for military purposes as either forts from the revolutionary times, through World War II, or as drug treatment facilities, prisons, isolation ward for people with diseases, mental institutions and also a place to dump not only medical but biological waste. Some of the sites that made an impression on me was the view of Boston harbor light to the sighting of comm orates. The sheer scope and beauty of these islands with their forest of trees in the lushness of the greenery against the backdrop of the skyline and the sun shimmering off the water was a magical moment.

An additional observation was how enclosed and protected the Bay was. There was very little chop is very calm.One of the most poignant moments came as we came alongside the USS Salem but in contrast also learned its history of shipbuilding in Boston. One of Boston's prides is the building of the Cutty Sark from red Oak. Massachusetts and colonial  times was known for its timber in the beauty and design of the ships. But in contrast you have ships designed for beauty and speed compared to a show of might and force. When you see the closed shipyards they are a constant reminder of times gone by and also how things change.

DDolan/Boston Harbor

Today (day 2 of class) we toured Boston Harbor.  We started on Long Wharf where we gawked at the gigantic yachts moored at Commercial Dock.  Here, the original waterfront, no longer visible, is located across the street (today’s John Fitzgerald Surface Rd) just in front of the Customs House.  The waterfront real-estate has grown into the sea over the years and is unstable land. On our boat ride out of the inner harbor we saw the Codzilla, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun, wet ride. We spied new Federal Court House, home of the infamous Whitely Bulger trial, and its adjacent park.  We saw where the container ships are unloaded, the World trade Center, East Boston, the Airport, South Boston, Fort Independence and Castle Island, Spectacle Island, Long Island, Moon Island (training grounds of Police & Fire Department personnel), Thompson's Island, Deer Island & its famous honey pots, Boston Light, Hull Gut and the Fore River Shipyard where we saw the USS Salem, a declassified WWII, Heavy Cruiser.

The boat ride was an opportunity to see the city from the water and the view is spectacular.   We learned that just because the water isn’t crystal clear doesn’t mean it’s dirty.  Boston harbor contains particulates and tannins that are discharged from its tributary rivers, causing the blackish or brackish appearance.  We saw a gulp of cormorants sunning themselves which served as a sign that the water is a plentiful/healthy food source for them.  We didn’t see the elusive barking crab but tomorrow is another day. 

Day 2: Boston Harbor

Today in class we went on an excursion to the Long Wharf where we boarded a boat to familiarize ourselves with Boston Harbor. Thirty-four islands currently comprise Boston Harbor; however, some of the islands were flattened and repurposed for the expansion of Logan Airport.

Earlier in the day, we learned about the detrimental effects people had on the Harbor that resulted in extremely polluted water.  I was fascinated to learn that water, like land, can be fertilized by waste. By the 1950s, so much human waste had been deposited into the Harbor and that directly correlated to algae growth. I never realized the significant effect the growth of algae has on the environment, and it surprised me to learn that it can lead to anoxic water (a lack of oxygen in the water), thereby creating unlivable conditions causing a copious amount of fish to die and wash ashore. Today we saw the two islands that were used to treat wastewater, rather than directly disposing of it into the Harbor: Nut Island and Deer Island. 

While on the boat today, I saw Boston from a completely different perspective than I ever have before, and I now feel I have a deeper appreciation for the city and the surrounding area. I found the names of some of the islands especially entertaining, because many were named in a way that seemed so simple and rational: for example, Spectacle Island because it resembles glasses, or my personal favorite, John Quincy Adams Island, because it looks just like him (just kidding, that would be one ugly island!).

I also found the anecdote about Nixes Mate very interesting; I had not realized that pirates were ever an actual threat to Boston, nor had I realized that some people believed G-d would personally take a stake in demonstrating a man’s innocence by sinking the Island to prove a point.

I really enjoyed the afternoon on the boat, and feel that I have already learned so much. I also found it inspiring to see a real example of the remarkable things people can achieve when they join together and pursue improvement. The Boston Harbor exemplifies the best of human capabilities: the ability to take one of the most polluted and disgraceful bodies of water and convert it into a beautiful and clean one that can make the people of Boston proud. 

StevieMarie LaMonica_Boston Harbor Express 7/13/13

July 13, 2013

Today was our first boat ride in the harbor! After a few hours of class, a nice walk around Faneuil Hall and a nice little lunch at  Nunzino's Pizzeria (very tasty might I add), we met up at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. After a short conversation as a class, we boarded the Harbor Express and experience a nice boat ride around the harbor and little more.

We starter at the Long Wharf Hotel and headed through the harbor - going by the industrial parts of the harbor and the very scenic parts. On the way to our pit stop at George's Island, we passed Castle Island, Thompson Island, Spectacle Island, Moon Island, Long Island, Logan Airport, Deer Island, Nixes Mate, Gallops Island, and Lovells Island. After George's Island, we headed over to Quincy, passing through the Hull gut and Nantasket Roads. Quincy bound, we also passed Peddocks Island, saw Grape Island in the background, and landed in Quincy Bay. Unfortunately, we didn't get the tour we expected, and went the exact same way back to Boston, but that's och - another time, right?

What struck me the most during this trip (which for me, is a little embarrassing, considering I've lived in the town of Winthrop and near Boston my ENTIRE LIFE), was how close other cities and towns are by boat, and how fast you can get there.  You would think by now, at the age of 29, I would know exactly where we were the whole time - but I didn't.  I still get amazed (and confused) of how close we are to so many places by boat, especially when it takes so much longer to drive or take public transportation to get there!  What also struck me, and always will, is how calm I am when I'm out in the ocean (on a boat, of course).  There is something about being out in the ocean, on a boat, that just takes my mind off of everything and relaxes me - which may not be the best thing while in a class...

I really enjoyed today's trip and look forward to future boat rides. I'm going to attach the photos I took on my phone today - they may not be the greatest, but I figured I'd share them any way.

13 July 2013, our first visit to the harbor as a group.  We meet for class gathering information on the harbor and some history and background.  We departed and moved to Long Wharf where after a short introduction at the dockside, which included information on the tide cycles and how the places where we were standing and walking were in 1750 under water.  The area has been transformed into a lucrative business district rich in history.   We made our way aboard and departed the wharf and inner harbor for a trip across the harbor.  During this trip different areas which included the Seaport, where pointed out and it is amazing to see how the waterfront of Boston Harbor is so beautiful and filled with activities of all different types.  Sail boats, motor boats, enjoying the day while fisherman and women are on the piers looking to catch dinner.  Twenty five years ago nobody in their right mind would eat anything caught in Boston Harbor, that is if you could catch anything other than a old tire or trash.  As we cleared the inner harbor we passed island upon island, included was Georges with a quick stop there, I was pleased to see how busy  but yet peaceful it was and how clean it has become.  We continued on our trip passing Moon Island and Long Island before coming upon Boston Light.  The trip continued until we had made it to the old Quincy Ship yard where we were meet by a WWII Naval vessel.  We turned around and made our way back through the harbor concluding our trip at Long Wharf.  What a day filled with the sights and sounds of the coast and the historical background to enlighten this Massachusetts native. 

Aleksandra Binkowska

Our second class was super interesting. We started off meeting in a classroom where we learnt a little bit about water quality, how bad it used to be and how it has improved over the years. The second part of our class was to go on a ferry of Boston Harbor. Our trip started from Long Wharf North taking us by Deer Island and at the same time introducing us to Boston’s Wastewater treatment plant. Next we passed Nixes Mate, Thompson Island, which holds an education center sharing the knowledge of environmental education.

We stopped for a while by Georges Island learning that it used to be a military fort. What is interesting is the fact that people believe that this island has a ghost named  “Lady in black” who was a wife of a soldier kept captive in the prison. Followed by Hull Gut, Grape Island, and Weymouth Fore River we started heading back to Boston. Along that ride we talked about tides that change every 6 hours including 2 high tides and 2 low ones. What was new to me was the fact that the place where the airport resides now there used to be 3 islands that were change for that use.

To conclude the trip was pretty amazing and I’m looking forward to more!

First Day on the Water- Coulter Bailey

Today in Snails to Whales, we took our first trip out on Boston Harbor. It was great to be able to see Boston's skyline from the water, as it is makes one appreciate the city in a much different way. Shortly after we boarded the ferry and began to leave the harbor, we saw a Fire Department boat doing its water exercises, which was an awe inspiring site. After this rare spectacle we continued on passing Fort Independence, which was crucial in protecting Boston from the sea. The fort has been rebuilt several times, and currently is preserved as a state park.

On the other side of Boston Harbor is Deer Island, which is Boston's Wastewater Treatment Plant. Deer Island is a state of the art facility that handles all of Boston's waste, and breaks the sewage down so well that it can even be safely consumed. With Deer Island being part of Winthrop, the town reserves the rights to paint the plant whichever color it wishes, and employs its own residents to do the job. This is a continuing production, as there is always some part of the facility that needs to be repainted.

Past Deer Island is Thompson Island, which is home to Outward Bound's Education Center teaching students in environmental education, as well as peer leadership. Adjacent to Thompson Island is Spectacle Island, which actually looks like a pair of glasses on their side. These help make up Boston Harbor's thirty islands that all are fantastic for anyone to visit.

The first stop on the ferry was Georges Island, and while we did not get off the ferry, we did have a chance to look at the island. It also used to be a military fort named Fort Warren, and even has a ghost called the "Lady in Black" who was a wife of a Confederate soldier imprisoned at the fort.

After Georges Island, the ferry continued on past Peddocks Island, which is one long island, but may be separated due to erosion possibly next year. Across from Peddocks Island is Houghs Neck, which is home to public government subsidized housing. While government housing is great, it is not the best location as it is far away from Boston, schools, grocery stores, and any public transportation.

The ferry's next location was the Quincy Fore River Shipyard, and the stop is directly across from a decommissioned World War II naval cruiser named the SS Salem. It is obviously a very old ship, but it was great to be so close to such a large, historic ship.

Overall, the trip was great! We saw some incredible islands that make up Boston Harbor, and it was very interesting to learn about the history of each one, and how they have evolved over time to be a part of one of the cleanest harbors in the United States.

Day #2 Harbor Cruise

On Saturday July 13th, our class met at Long Wharf North where professor Bruce gave us a quick history of the harbor and summarized what ended up being a beautiful boat cruise. Once we were instructed of what to be looking out for we then took a boat to Georges Island.  With the temperatures around 80's degree and relatively clear skies we sail out Into the harbor in a high tide water. Within 5 to 10 minutes  I had a great view of the water front  beginning in Charlestown all the way to South Boston . As we go out into a deeper water I had a clear view of the airport in East Boston and Castle Island in South Boston.  A few miles down to the left of the boat I had a clear view Deer Island where the waste water treatment plant is located along with the amazing 140 foot high tank. In a relatively close distance we pass by long Island on our right side, and we moved pretty quick passing Nixes Mate and Gallops Island. At that point the Captain slowed down  as we approached Georges Island. From the boat the Island looked pretty active as many people were scattering around exploring the Island. After stopping for  roughly 10 minutes  we moved towards Hingham Bay passing between Wind turbine in Hull and Peddocks Island.  We were so close to the shore that I was able to see several people fishing off the pemberton point. once in Hingham Bay we moved slowly through Weymouth and right into Quincy Fore River Shipyard where we reached our final destination. I really enjoyed this cruise as it gave me a unique opportunity to see the harbor from a different perspective and paying attention to details that I have never taken  in consideration before. It was truly an exciting learning experience.

Harbor View

Tour of Boston Harbor

On a 2^nd half of the day our class met at Long Wharf north where Professor Bruce gave us the itinerary of what turned out to be a very informative day. From the Long wharf dock we took a boat to Georges Island while contemplating one of the most spectacular views of the harbor. As we sail out in high tide water I had a great view of the water front, beginning in Charlestown all the way to South Boston. Once in deeper water I had a clear view of the airport in East Boston and Castle Island on the south side. At that point we were in the middle of the main harbor channel which is heavily traveled by large cargo ship and smaller vessels. Few miles down to the left side of the boat I spotted Deer Island where the waste water treatment plant is located and standing out from distance it was the amazing 140 foot high tank. In a relatively close distance we pass by long Island on our right side, and we moved pretty quick passing Nixes Mate and Gallops Island. At that point the Captain slowed down as we approached Georges Island. After stopping for roughly 10 minutes we moved towards Hingham Bay passing between Wind turbine in Hull and Peddocks Island. We were so close to the shore that I observed several people fishing off the coast of Hull. Once in Hingham Bay we moved slowly through Weymouth right into Quincy Fore River Shipyard where we reached our final destination. This trip was important as it allowed me to see the harbor with different eyes and appreciate the beauty of our local water. I learned that I should pay more attention to what the harbor has to offer and invest more time in understanding the natural resources we have close to home.

Day #1 Intro and Sink experiment

Hi class,

My name is Ezequiel Lopes I am from Cape Verde which is 10 islands off the west coast of Africa. I am taking this class as a science requirement but I am also fascinated by the mystery of the ocean. I am hoping to learn a lot about Boston Harbor history and get a better understanding of what can be done to make it cleaner and safer for our communities and our kids in the future.

Question 1: Which way does the water drain in the northern and southern hemisphere?

During our sink experiment in class it looked like the water did drain counter clockwise and all members of my group seemed to be in an agreement. However, when I went home I did a quick search, and several online articles seem to have different answer for this question and it was hard to identify the most reliable source. However, I was inclined to agree that it could drain randomly both directions depending on several variables like the shape of sink or how the plug is removed.  (www.scientificamerican.com)

Introduction & Which Way Does The Water Spin

              Hey all, my name is Nitin Bhardwaj. I’m a 22-year-old undergraduate here at Boston University in the College of Arts & Sciences. I’ve been around much of Boston and the surrounding suburbs, but the Harbor Islands still remain as an unchartered, new territory that I need to see before I graduate. With the emphasis on fieldwork outside the classroom, it’s a sharp contrast to my Anthropology & Economics courses. And so, here I am, ready to step out and develop those skills that one just doesn’t get surrounded by four walls. (I'll let you know what those skills are when I do, but I think the syllabus might be a good resource.)

               I’ve always found the ocean to be a mysterious and fascinating place that is not only intriguing to our senses but vital to our economy; hence, it is essential we learn how to preserve this valuable commodity. Growing up in Houston, I was only 70 miles away from the Gulf of Mexico, in Boston I am only 4 miles away, and when I studied abroad in Singapore, I was essentially surrounded by it, so I think it ain't leavin' me anytime soon. 
              I hypothesized that the water in the Northern Hemisphere would drain counterclockwise. If a hurricane spun that way here, I had always assumed that was the case with water anywhere. And yes, that Simpsons episode were Bart goes to Australia was involved in my reasoning. As we were doing the experiment, there was a concensus of counter-clockwise, but there was a sense of doubt in the air. It seemed hard to tell, even with the paper as a resource.
            It turns out, however, that this is a complete myth. People assume the macro scale impacts of the Coriolis Effect would apply to objects on a smaller scale like a sink, which isn't the case. According to the Huffington Post, this helps to explain the phenomenon in which the rotation of the earth can cause things moving in a straight line to appear to follow a curving path. However, the Coriolis Effect has minimal influence in how water drains in the sink. It could potentially, but this is currently impossible to measure. It depends on the shape the sink, the shape of the spout, if there was a force (like a hand) involved in spinning it a certain direction, etc... It doesn't matter whether you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere; it could go either way.

Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/25/water-drain
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/bathtub.html-equator_n_2010379.html
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-somebody-finally-sett

Down the drain

Terry Baurley

ES 141

While conducting the experiment our classmate placed his hand over the drain and proceeded to fill the sink approximately a quarter full. After turning off the water we watch the water flow down the drain and it seemed to go in a clockwise direction. Not being sure of what we really saw even though we had a consensus of all five of us saying that the water went down in a clockwise direction. We decided to run the experiment again. So the same classmate placed his hand over the drain and proceeded to fill the sink again approximately ¼ full. After turning off the water again and taking his hand from the drain we all observed what we believe was the water draining in a Clockwise direction.

In an article in scientific American it seems to attribute the process of water going down the drain is what’s known as Coriolis effect. Even in the article in scientific American it seems that this effect is in dispute. Some of suggestions for further experiments seem to suggest that the type is sink, the angle any amount of water may play significant roles in the outcome of the experiment. There is also some suggestion in the article by Brad Hanson to the staff geologist to Louisiana geological survey, “That the rotation of the earth tends to accelerate training water in a clockwise direction in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern.” (Scientific American, 2001)

In the additional abstract by David J Van Domelen at Ohio State University Department of physics seems to suggest that the variation in the sink and other variables make it almost impossible to prove the effect. He suggests that the water going down the sink will continue going down way it went into the sink. He also goes to contends that “under extremely controlled conditions, this can cause water to flow out of container counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere, but your kitchen sink is not so controlled.” “Things like left over spin  from filling the sink (even when the water looks still, it’s rotating slowly for long time after it seems to stop.)” (Domelen)

In Conclusion even though they use the example of hurricanes and cyclones in their rotations in the northern and southern hemisphere as a basis for the effect, there are too many variables within wind, water, and current just as the variables of a sink make it almost impossible to prove. The real defining question but Thomas Humphrey seems to suggest that a toilet or sink does not have the volume of water to be affected by the Coriolis effect. (Congress)

Bibliography:

Congress, t. L. (n.d.). Everyday Mysteries.

Domelen, D. J. (n.d.). Getting around the Coriolis Force. Ohio State University Dept of Physics .

Scientific American. (2001, January 28).

Introduction

My name is Terry Baurley some of the other reasons that I took this class is because I live on the Charles River in Norfork, we moved here in 1990 and I fell in love with the river but I hadn't been here long when I realized the water quality and quantity matters. After I bought my house we realized that there was a water treatment plant upriver from us that dumps partially treated waste into the river, for many months in the year it was not recommended to come in contact with the water even as a boater. In a synchronous series of events I ran into the Charles River watershed Association in an article. So as a result we became involved with the family starting out just doing the Charles River cleanup every year and picking up trash along a roadway, but the real hero in my family is my husband on the third Tuesday of every month for close to 15 or 16 years all year long goes out and pulls water samples from Lake Populatic and my daughter for the past four years has been in charge of water sampling on the 115 bridge and Millis Norfolk line. Because of the increase pressure on the aquifers in this area there's been significant decrease in water flow. Just by observing I can see the water drop 15 feet in any given time of year. I was instrumental in starting a petition in our neighborhood to involve the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, conservation officials to look into the wastewater treatment plant upriver and to install flow monitors to judge water extraction from the aquifers and River. Kingsbury Pond Association actually took the town Millis Franklin Norfork to court because of current pressures and wasteful practices Kingsbury Pond has dwindled to half its size.
Our house has a shallow well once we came close to running out of water. So when you realize you have a finite source you reduce consumption. So instead of vegtable garden we put in a perennial garden, and I use moisture beads the in all of my plant to reduce watering. We never water are lawn and we have energy audits on a regular basis. Sometimes you have to do simple things like turning off the water when you brush your teeth. Sometimes small things can make a big difference.

Experiment in the bathroom

INTRODUCTION:

Hey ES141,  I'm Stephen Loughran and I am a senior at Boston University. I major in History and I am taking this class to complete an elective requirement.

I am originally from Boston and I have grown up with the ocean as a back yard. I also go to the Caribbean often. What I enjoy most about the ocean is utilizing it for water sports.


BATHROOM EXPERIMENT:

A.) In the group I was in we agreed that the water in the sink drained clockwise. We attempted the experiment twice. The water did drain pretty fast. Perhaps I did not fill the sink up enough.

B.) 1. According to "Every day Mysteries" the way water drains does not depend on the hemisphere but rather the design of the "geometric structure of the drain."

      2. According to Reference.com the whole water draining clockwise in Australia is a myth, created by the Simpson and the X-Files.

      3. Lastly, according to "Today I Find Out" the flow of water down the drain does not depend on the hemisphere.

Karissa Vincent - Day 1

Hello!

My name is Karissa Vincent. I am currently a student at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. I am double majoring in Geochemistry and Music and double minoring in Arabic and Theatre. I am planning (and hoping) to go to Graduate school for a PhD in oceanographic research. The ocean is my thing. But, I have a wide variety of interests and do lots more than just study and swim.
I am originally from a tiny town in New Hampshire that I am fairly certain no one has heard of it's that small. Though I am from a small town, I still love the big city too. When I was young I went to Boston quite often, so I am familiar with the Boston streets.
I am taking this class because frankly, it looks like a lot of fun. I mean who wouldn't want to do an intensive oceanographic course in the Massachusetts Bay? It also gave me something constructive to do this summer besides work.

I have always loved water. I grew up on a lake, so ever since I was a baby I was in the water. Being launchind into the air out of the water by my parents is among my earliest memories. And as soon as I could walk, I was jumping in that lake myself. I was fascinated with everything that went on under the water's surface. The animals that live the under the surface, the different life cycles and processes that are going on, it all fascinated me. I remember the first time I went to the ocean with my parents I fell in love. It was something I'd only read about in books and it was so much better in real life. Running across the beach to jump into the waves and hearing the gulls and the waves crash just filled me with a joy that few things in life can duplicate. Since that first day of jumping in the ocean, I have seen that being under it and SCUBA diving is even more amazing than I could ever have imagined. Ever since then, the ocean has become one of my passions and one that I plan on pursuing for the rest of my life. I want to help save this amazing and fleeting resource that we have. The ocean is an amazing place, full of mysteries, and few people truly realize this. I hope that I can help the populous see the breathtaking commodity we have in front of us, and the necessity for preservation and conservation. In short, I love the ocean. It's where I feel at peace. Being under those waves, 30 meters down, I just feel at home. With the wonders that will never cease to amaze me and the comfort of the ocean around me, there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

The task today was to perform an experiment to see if water drains clockwise or counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. To do this, we broke off into groups and gathered around a sink. There, one person put his/her hand over the drain (as there are no stoppers), filled the sink up with water, and then removed his/her hand to watch the water drain out. In my group, we did this experiment twice. The first time, we did not fill up the sink as much as we did the second time. After the first initial fill, we all thought the water looked to be going clockwise. We then repeated the process, filling the sink up higher and again determined that the water flowed clockwise.
In reality, there is no one specific way that water will rotate when it is drained out of a sink. There are a lot of factors that go into determining which direction the water will flow. As stated on snopes.com "Toilets and sinks drain in the direction they do because of the way water is directed into them or pulled from them. If water enters in a swirling motion (as it does when a toilet is flushed, for example), the water will exit in that same swirling pattern; as well, most basins have irregular surfaces and are not perfectly level, factors that influence the direction in which water spirals down their drains." This is because of something called the Coriolis effect. The Coriolis effect basically makes it look like the water is going down the drain in a rotated manner, when in fact it is going down straight, just the Earth's rotation and gravitational pull make it look different. Now, does this mean that water in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia for instance) flows the same? Seasons are flipped, so one might think that the water would drain opposite as well. This is not the case. As mentioned in Scientific American by Thomas Humphrey, water will drain the same just north of the equator as well as just south of the equator. So, there is no difference. Also, water doesn't always drain clockwise or counterclockwise. It depends on the size and shape of the vessel (be that sink or toilet) as well as the water's motion and other outside factors.

Sources:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-somebody-finally-sett
http://www.snopes.com/science/coriolis.asp
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/coriolis.html
http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/glossary/coriolis_effect.html

Science in the Restroom

From my observations  of which way the water flows into the drain pipes I learned that one must not just go as usual when analyzing events like water leaving the water sink, but really get down and dirty. I observed the confusion of not taking cautionary steeps and i concluded that their is in most cases a right and wrong. Steeps to improve results can be a focus along with tools to help the theory I know that the water flows counter clock and I believe that using ink or a paper can prove this fact. In conclusion i was told to learn of how water flows south of the hemisphere but I decided that it is too far and only I could reanimate the experiment to keep the fairness, i would not trust other sources of information as i could not trust other classmates.

Patrick Q. -- First Post

Hi everyone,

my name is Patrick Querido, originally from Cape Verde, and one of the two bald guys in this class.This is actually my last class needed to complete my undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Boston University. As a boy , i was always interested in scientific things, electrical, mechanical or aeronautical and read nearly everything that the library could provide on these subjects.One Christmas, i received a portable cassette tape recorder, which i used to secretly tape family, friends, and myself practicing guitar in my room. Mainly due to overuse, the device lasted a year before i curiously disassembled the entire unit observing every part, wondering what function it performed, how it used electricity for that function, and how i could possibly fix it. Through the years, my interest in electronics led me to think seriously to pursue a career in computer field,where I've learned a great deal from my peers and those friends who already knew aol.com before it became a household word.As every Cape Verdean ocean has been with me since young. I've named my daughter Ocean.She is to me something big, vast, infinite, endless fount of inspiration. I've discovered all these qualifications on a nature ocean, and decided to honor my daughter with all these similarities.I choose this course  as an elective requirement needed to complete my program and because its also an opportunity to explore and a chance to know more about Boston coast.On today's experiment to decide which way the water drains on our hemisphere all members of my group agreed that the direction was counter-clockwise. I've decided also to do a second experiment with the help of another classmate and could confirm the same direction again. I've also read some articles about this theme and was triggered in particular by the experimentation done by  MIT professor Ascher Shapiro. On his experimentation he in fact observed that because of a phenomenon named  Coriolis effect "cause a bathtub vortex  in the northern hemisphere to swirl counterclockwise".Coriolis effect states that "the Earth’s rotation influences how fluids swirl on the planet’s surface and It's why low-pressure systems in the northern hemisphere twist counterclockwise". "He was supported, however, by colleagues in the Northern hemisphere who confirmed  the counterclockwise bathtub drainage, while those in the Southern hemisphere demonstrated  the same effect in the opposite direction—a clockwise flow—just as anticipated."

Shapiro’s Bathtub Experiment
by Conor Myhrvold
Scope Correspondent November 22, 2011