The story of the first commercial vessel to successfully cross the Northwest Passage. The Manhattan sailed August 24, 1969, and returned November 13 to New York.The story of the first commercial vessel to successfully cross the Northwest Passage. The Manhattan sailed August 24, 1969, and returned November 13 to New York.The story of the first commercial vessel to successfully cross the Northwest Passage. The Manhattan sailed August 24, 1969, and returned November 13 to New York.