Construction on the Onrust began in 2006 at the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Upstate New York and was based on historic Dutch building techniques guided by recent marine archaeology.
​Specialized 17th century shipbuilding methods by the Dutch and their invention of automated use of wind-powered sawmills to process wood, enabled the Dutch to produce ships better, faster, and more efficiently than any other European country at the time and made them the undisputed market leaders in shipbuilding for many decades.
Authentic Dutch shipbuilding methods were used throughout the Onrust's construction with designs based on breakthrough research from maritime specialists at the National Institute of Ship Archeology in Lelystad, the Netherlands.
According to historical records, the ship Block built, was a "yacht", a ship type invented by the Dutch in the late 16th century, and named "yacht" for its speed, the Dutch word for "hunt" or "chase". The archeological research enabled us to rebuild the Onrust exactly in the style and with similar methods and materials used in 17th century shipbuilding. It is also the first time an original yacht of this time period has been rebuilt in modern era .
The general dimensions of the Onrust and other pertinent information on this New Netherland chapter of early explorers were recovered from the original 17th century records relating to the first trading activities in America in the Archives of the City of Amsterdam and the National Archives in The Hague, The Netherlands.
With a shallow draft of 4,5 feet, the 52- foot leeboard yacht is perfect for use on coastal waterways and inland river and canal systems. The ship's hold and spacious deck can accommodate up to 33 passengers.
The Onrust Project, a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization incorporated in the State of New York, was organized to support the construction and management of the Onrust. The ship was completed and launched on May 20th, 2009 during the state's Quadricentennial 400th anniversary of the first Dutch exploration of the river by Henry Hudson.
Today, this floating museum provides the public with a living history experience of 17th century life and maritime exploration.
Greta Wagle, founding member and driving force behind The Onrust Project, is currently Board President. She also functions as the Executive Director, a role she has assumed pro bono for the last twelve years. She is a graduate of the University of Leuven, Belgium, (KU Leuven) with a masters in Dutch and English philology.
Peter Tobiessen, former Union College Biology Professor and Jim Rothrock, a graduate of engineering from Alfred University, serve as Treasurer and Secretary of the Board, respectively. Both are longtime dedicated volunteers involved with the vessel's construction and maintenance and are closely familiar with the ship's operations and needs.
The technical team of engineers consists of Al Van Sleet, Don Richard, Jerry Bobar and Steve Lomnes, and also former builders of the Onrust.
Other members of the Onrust Team, many of whom were shipbuilders from the early stages on, are equally indispensable and multi-talented in fulfilling the many roles in demand today as well as assisting with event planning, educational programming, marketing, and crewing: Tim Rice, Linda Bobar, Donna & Joe Repicky, Tony Maffeo, Matt Reuter, Dave Nilson, Carolynn Nilson, Michael Doraby, Luciano Toffolo, Gary Allen, Charly Long, Mark & Barb Turpin, Gene Tozzi, Suzanna Van Schoonhoven, Peter & Karen McKenna.
Scarano Boat Building, Inc., Port of Albany, owners John and Rick Scarano, engineer Bill Hubert, yard supervisor Eric Everson, consultants to the ship since the construction process, and while the ship is in dry dock at the Scarano Boat Building site off-season.
North Atlantic Boatbuilding, Maine: owner Dave Short.