Ambrose Channel

The pilots’ job was to guide these vessels between the harbor and the Ambrose Channel, which runs between Sandy Hook, N.J., and the Rockaway Peninsula.

“We see them feeding in the Ambrose Channel with these large container ships passing right by,” said Mr. Sieswerda, referring to the main shipping channel in and out of the Port of New York and New Jersey.

The Ambrose Lightship and Ambrose Channel are named for him.

The steamer had now passed Romer Light and Sandy Hook and was through the Ambrose Channel.

The view of the city rising to scratch the sky is incredible when sighted from Ambrose Channel at dawn, and the views only improve as you motor north on a slow bell through the Narrows.