The Original "Starstream"

The history of the original Capt. Jack's Starstream from Freeport, Long Island, NY is quite a story. Please see the links at the bottom of this page for more details and from where these facts were derived. Born in 1942 as an 83-foot Coast Guard cutter, she was built at Wheeler's Shipyard in Brooklyn NY. She was one of 230 vessels her size, sanctioned by the U.S. Coast Guard at the outbreak of World War II. Her original price tag was $57,860. They served as anti-submarine patrol, coastal convoy escorts, and search & rescue vessels. She was originally known as USCG 83373 or CGC-624. These vessels were carried and transported on backs of larger ships across the North Atlantic to Poole, England.

She returned from active duty to the US in July 1945 and in 1953, was purchased by Capt. Charlie Smallman from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. She underwent a major topside overhaul and conversion to a "party boat" fishing vessel. She became known as the Yankee Skipper. She would sail from the Sheepshead Bay fishing pier on Emmons Ave in Brooklyn for 15 years.

By 1968, Richie Kessinger was interested in upgrading from his current 65 foot Capt. Jack VI and pursuing a larger vessel. Harry Berkowitz, the owner of the Capt. Jack fleet was a heavy smoker and succumbed to cancer in 1967. His wife Dottie (Dorothy), took over management of the business and Richie became the fleet operations manager. Richie convinced Dottie that a larger vessel translated into more fares and passengers fishing.

The Yankee Skipper had been put up for sale and Charlie Smallman was determined to NOT sell the vessel to his competitors in Sheepshead Bay, whom he referred to as, "chislers." This particular vessel was specifically sought after by Richie as it had more speed, and was one of the slickest of its day. The vessel had rolling chocks, "stabilizers" on the hull that reduced the roll of the vessel in rough seas, glided at a swift 13 knots, and its larger size significantly increased passenger carrying capacity. Richie made an inquiry and was invited to come and take a look. For a price of $39,000, plus the tab for the lot of fuel in the hold, the vessel became property of the Capt. Jack fleet. Richie had something else on his mind regarding naming of the newly acquired vessel and was looking to depart with tradition of adding another "roman numeral" name to Capt. Jack. Cruise here to: What's in a Name?

The Star Stream name originated from Trans World Airlines (TWA) 707 Boeing jet liner. TWA had ventured into the jet age at the turn of the 1960's and with its marketing strategy dubbed its new service as the “Star Stream” Intercontinental. The Boeing 707 was renowned as one of the most versatile jets in commercial passenger service. The jets could now fly directly non-stop to Europe at speeds of 600 mph, with no stops in between to re-fuel.

The Yankee Skipper cruised at 13 knots, which for her time was quite fast. With her sleek look and lightning speed, Richie knew the new Startstream name would be quite fitting for her. With her hull painted black and new name, she definitely stood out among the fishing boats on Woodcleft Canal, in Freeport. Due to her 83 foot length, she could not be docked traditionally "head-in" as her butt would obstruct the right of way. The dock was reconfigured to set her an angle, which made her even more impressive from the street. She had to be backed out and turned hard over to head her out to sea. That was quite challenging on a windy day.

My Dad tells a story that George Schmidt, of the neighboring Aloma fleet, frequently complained that the bowsprit of the Starstream intruded on his property. It was later discovered from markers in the street that his dock poles were actually set overstepping on the Capt. Jack property. George pulled in his horns and moved the poles.

Capt. Richie sailed the Starstream from Freeport for 6 years, before upgrading again to a newly constructed, 85-foot aluminum vessel. As a kid I remember fishing and helping out on the weekends and when school was out. Eventually I got over the seasickness. I'd sit up on the dodger under my Dad's nose, take a nap and sun myself in the summer. It was a wonderful place to grow up.

The “Starstream” was sold in 1974 to Howard and Edwin Berlin of the “Claire” fleet in City Island, Bronx. Richie recalls the Berlin's paying for the vessel with cash in a paper bag, accompanied by a pistol they laid on the dining room table as their security protection for the trek from the Bronx. Richie remembers Dottie saying she "had rubbed the fingerprints off her hands" from the friction of counting up the cash.