Let’s Look Back: The arrival of brig Unicorn makes front-page news

Sept. 2, 1993

Businesspeople had two words to describe the summer of 1993: “Absolutely fantastic.”  A healthy combination of good weather and signs of a slight economic recovery left the North Fork business community in high spirits 25 years ago.

Aug. 31, 1978

Forty years ago, the arrival of brig Unicorn in Greenport made front-page news.

Called by many the most beautiful sailing vessel in the world, the ship was used as the slave ship in the record-breaking television production of Roots. The brig Unicorn has many other movie credits to its record, including Pirates of the Caribbean.

Sept. 6, 1968

Fifty years ago, the Suffolk Times wrote, “The Village of Greenport and the entire North Fork experienced the greatest Labor Day travel in its history.” We reported hundreds of yachts and thousands of vacationers visited the area for the long weekend.

Sept. 4, 1953

The old St. Agnes Hall in Greenport was being demolished 65 years ago. The 100-year-old landmark was replaced by the new St. Agnes Auditorium and parish center in the spring of 1953. The old Duvall Hall on Shelter Island was also in the process of being torn down at the time.

Sept. 2, 1943

A gas shortage threatened farms prior to harvest 75 years ago.

“Harvesting operations on Suffolk farms will be brought virtually to a standstill and the movement of crops to metropolitan markets seriously impeded if the gasoline famine is not broken within the next few days,” the Suffolk Times wrote.

Photo caption: The brig Unicorn in Greenport in 1978. (Suffolk Times, file photo)