recent developments

Sea Call, Lines have been taken off her half hull at MIT. With other available information it may be possible to recreate plans for this magnificent schooner.  As of Sept. 9, 2013, Many of her original plans have been located.  As of Jan. 5, 2015, a reproduction of an additional painting of Sea Call has also been located.  As of August 4, 2015, the firm G.L. Watson is offering an opportunity to replicate this fine vessel.  Please refer to their web site for further information.   Please also see more recent developments, follow recent developments in the next column to the right.

Large Sailing Yachts Named Intrepid,1878-1930

• Intrepid, (1) 1878, 100′ (LOA  or LWL?) 2M. Sch.  Des. A. Cary Smith, Blt. C. & R. Poillon.

• Intrepid, (2) Invincible, 1893, 163’6″ LOA, 3M. Sch. Des. J. Bevor Webb, Blt. Nefie & Levy.
• Intrepid, (3) Uvira, 1903, 171’6″ LOA,  2M. Sch. Des. J. Bevor Webb, Blt. T. S. Marvel & Co.  Broken up 1937.  May have been the inspiration for Cressida.
• Intrepid, (4) 1930, 205′ LOA, 3M. Bktn. Des. Arthur B. Raymond, Blt. Geo. Lawley & Son.
• We have additional information on most of these vessels.  Most recent update April 17, 2015.

2 U. K. built schooners, one for a French owner

• Etoile Filante1911, 122’6″ LOA.  Blt. White Bros.  For French Owner.
• Elk, later Janeen, then Polynesia1928, (1), 130′ 7″ Des. G. L. Watson & Co. Ltd. (drawings by J. R. Barnett),  Blt. Scott Shipbuilding.  Orig. Gaff, later Staysail.  May have been impounded many years ago by Cuba, if so what is left of her may still be there.
• We have additional information on these two vessels.
• Updated  July 29, 2010.

Ketches and Yawls

• Black Swan, Orig. Brynhild, then Changrilla. 1899, 130′(?) LOA, (Length On Deck) Orig. Yawl, now Ketch. Des. Chas. Nicholson, Blt. Camper & Nicholson.   As of March 15,  2017, we have heard that she is sailing and again for sale.

• Alisa, 1895, 130′ 6″  LOA, Yawl, Des. Fife.  She was the 8th boat to finish the Transatlantic Race in 1905.

• Cariad Two boats of this name. The first of these two fine Ketches was built in 1896. 106′ LOA. Also sailed under the name Fidra. Des. Summer & Payne.  Has recently gone through a major rebuild.  The second boat has left less of a trail.  Probably Des. & Blt. by Summer & Payne in 1903. May have been 95′ LOA (or LWL.) The second boat was probably larger than the first.

• Glory, 1901, 110′ (LWL?) Des. Arthur E. Payne.

• Julnar, 1909, Ketch, Des. Wm.  Fife Jr.  Blt Summer & Payne.

• Leander, 96′ ketch (yawl?). Blt. Summer & Payne ?  No details yet.
• Sylvia, 1925, 121′ LOA, Ketch. Des. Chas. E. Nicholson Blt. Camper & Nicholson.  May have been C & N’s largest Ketch.

• Xarifa, 1913,  134’0″LOA, Ketch. Des. Joseph M.  Sopher, Probably Blt. John S. White.
• Latest update June 7, 2012.
• We have additional information on some of these vessels.

Known Best Candidates for “Restoration of the Century” (With Apologies to Lulworth)

• Argus, Polynesia, Argus; Near sister to Creole and Santa Maria Manuela, is in Portugal.  News wanted.
  
• Hussar, Sea Cloud, Antarna, Patria, now Sea Cloud; 316′ LOA.  4 M Bark.  1931.  Des.  Cox & Stevens.  Blt. Krupp.  Now a cruise ship,  sailing the Med.  Summers, Carib.  Winters.  Will she again become a private yacht?

• Hussar, Vema, now Mandalay; 202′ 6″ LOA.  Orig. 3 M Gaff  Sch. 1923. Des. Cox & Stevens.  Blt. Burmeister & Wain.   She was to undergo a major refit for service in the Galapagos Islands, but did not do so. Instead she was purchased by a company with offices in Miami, Fl. She is again sailing in the Carib.

• Cressida, Pioneer, now Yankee Clipper; 172′ LOA.  Orig. 2 M Sq Foretopsail Sch.  Des. Cox & Stevens.  Built Friedr. Krupp Germaniawerft A G.,  Kiel, Germany 1927.  Was broken up in Trinidad, Jan. 2017.  As of Nov. 4, 2011 there was intense interest. As of April 23, 2013, The earlier party decided not to proceed. A new potential buyer was in the picture.   We have received interesting materials from the 1920’s and 30’s about this fine vessel.  I have received documentation information on her from the United States Coast Guard.  While some of her original papers are missing, I was provided with materials allowing me to proceed, this is written June 9, 2011.    1) Following construction she was brought to the United States.  2) 1928, issued Official Number 227397, Owner, Herman Oelrichs, Address 578 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y.  3) 1930, Ownership transferred to Albert E. Pierce, Home Port New York N. Y.  4) 1931, Mr. Pierce is shown as living in Chicago, Ill.  5) 1932, Ownership transferred to Pierce Investment Co. (Del.) Home Port New York, N. Y., Address 224 South Michigan Ave. , Chicago, Ill.  6) 1938, Name changed to Crimper, Ownership transferrerd to George Vanderbilt.  7) 1939, Name changed to Pioneer.  Still under Mr. Vanderbilt’s ownership.  8) 1943, 1945, 1962, Same.  9) 1963, Removed from Documentation, Motorboat No. Awarded, sold by the Executors of the Estate of George Vanderbilt to the Leeward Trading Company, 19601 N. W. Eighth Ave.  Miami,  Florida  July 25, 1962.  10) Registered with the State of Florida, Awarded Florida No.  FL 9817E on Aug. 24 1962.  11) The records show an alternate address for her new owners, C/O Bank of Nova Scotia, Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas.  A letter from the Commandant’s Office, Eleventh Naval District, San Diego, California dated March 2, 1943 confirms that Pioneer was taken over by the U. S. Navy on 27 July, 1942 on one dollar per year charter for the duration of the war.  From other sources we know that she was conveyed back to Mr. Vanderbilt by the Navy after the conclusion of the war.

• Santa Maria Manuela; 189′ 7″ LOA.  4M Gaff Sch. Blt.  Campania Uniao Fabrilo.   Definitely not a yacht.   Her extensive rebuild is complete and she is now sailing.  She is again a vessel of great strength and beauty.
• Sunbeam, Flying Clipper,Eugene Eugenidies; Has  been laid up in Greece.  We have heard that the Greek navy may take her over for use as a sail training ship.  New news wanted.
• We have additional information on each of these vessels.  Are there other candidates out there that we don’t know?  We would like to hear from you.

Last Updated Jan. 7, 2017

4 Yachts Named XARIFA

The First Xarifa. First photo, source unknown. Second photo, Cowes Maritime Museum. Please contact them if you wish to use this photo.

First Xarifa, during wartime sevice WWI. Source unkown.

 

• Xarifa, Ophelie, Halcyon II; 1894, 192′ Des. & Blt. John H. White, Cowes.  Composit Steam Aux. Bgtn.  Bought in Britain by U. S. Gov’t during WWI.  Owned in U. S. after.  Was tender to Vanitie.

• Xarfia; 1912, Gaff Ketch.  LOA 134′ 0′.  Des.  Joseph M. Sopher.  Probably Blt. John S. White.  Once did 14 knots for six consecutive hours.

• Xarifa; 1927, 141′  spoon bow 3M Gaff fore & Main Marconi Mizzen Sch.  Des.  Joseph M. Sopher  Probably Blt. John S. White.  Between 1951 & 1960 used as a research vessel by Hans Hass.   Now Marconi on all masts.   Has found a new owner, a Panamanian charter company owned by a gentleman from Spain.  Currently undergoing a major refit in the same Spanish yard that built the replica of the schooner yacht Elena and performed the final outfitting of the cod fishing schooner Santa Maria Manuela.   This fine vessel is sailing again under an enlarged rig.  From information  we have seen in the press she looks great!

• Xarifa, S. S. Caymania; 1930, 204′ spoon bow steam yacht, no sail.  Des. Joseph M. Sopher, Blt. John S. White.

• We hope we have gotten the thread of things right with these four fine yachts.  There may have been a fifth one, a large schooner, also a Sopher design Blt. 1900 or 1901 for Franklin Singer by Camper and Nicholson.
• We have additional information on some of the vessels named Xarifa. 
• Latest update Jan. 7, 2017

11 Large Square Rigged Yachts, 1889-1931

• Aloha; (1) 160′. Brigantine.  1899. Des. Clinton Crane.  Blt. J. N. Robins

• Aloha; (2) 218′. 3M Bark.  1910.  Des. Clinton Crane.  Blt. Fore River Shipbuilding Corp.  Broken up 1937/1938.

• Apache; Originally built as White Heather, 198′ LOA. 3M Bark. 1890. Des. &  Blt. J. Reid & Co.  Finished Last in the Trans -Atlantic Race of 1905.

• Illyria, Malaina; 147′. Brigantine. 1928. Des. Gielow.  Blt. Marco Martinolich.  Wrecked 1950’s Cape Verde Islands.

• Intrepid, Sylph; 205′. 3M Barkentine. 1930. Des. Arthur B. Raymond.  Blt. Geo. Lawley & Son.  Became Sylph in U. S. Navy during WWII.

• Hussar, Sea Cloud, Antarna, Patria, Sea Cloud; 316′. 4M Bark.  1931.  Des. Cox & Stevens. Blt. Krupp.  Now a cruise ship, sailing on the Med. Summers, Carib. Winters.  Will she become a private yacht again?

• La Cigale; 122′. 3M Sq Foretop  Sch (4 Yards). 1915 (or previously) Des. Chas. E. Nicholson  Blt. Camper & Nicholson.  There may have been more than one large yacht of this name, and they may have had other names.

• Modwena; 135′ 6′. 3M Bark.  1908. Des. &  Blt. J. Reid.  Commercial after WWI.

• Seven Seas; 168′. 3M Full Rigged Ship. 1912. Des. & Blt. M. V. Atkieb.  Built as the Swedish Training Ship Abraham Rydberg.  Converted to yacht 1929.

• Valhalla; 245′. 3M. Full Rigged Ship.   Des. W. C. Storey. Blt.  Ramage & Ferguson.  Finished third in the Trans-Atlantic Race of 1905.  Some think she was one of the most beautiful very large yachts ever built.  Became commercial, lost 1922.

• Xarifa; 192′.  Steam Aux. Brigantine.  1894.  Des. & Blt. John H. White.  Bought in Britain by U. S. govt. during WWI.  Owned in U. S. after.  Was tender to Vanitie.
• Bacchante, spelling? & St. George; Reportedly these were large square rigged British yachts.  We would love to have details.
• Last edited May 16, 2012.
• We have additional information on most of these vessels.

the Largest Steel Schooner Yachts Built Between 1890 and 1931

• Ailee; 167′ 7″ LOA 1928  3M Staysail, Des. Chas.   Nicholson, Blt. Camper & Nicholson. Near sister to Sonia II.  Blt. 1931.

• Alcyone;168′ LOA. (Length on deck) 1907. 3M Gaff, Des.  Clinton Crane.  Blt.  Geo. Lawley & Son.  Became commercial in Central America.

• Atlantic; 185′ LOA. 1903. 3M Gaff, Des.  Gardner & Cox.  Blt. Townsend & Downey.  Replica now sailing on the Med.  For news of her larger sister go to Sea Call below.

photos taken by James Taylor, reproduced with permission.

• Arcturus; 169′ LOA. 1896. 3?M Gaff, Des St. Claire Byrne, Blt. Ramage & Furgeson.

• Black  Douglas, Aquarius, now El Boughaz I. 153′ LOA. 1930. 3 M Staysail, Des. Gielow, Blt.  Bath Iron Works.  Was sold recently to a Moroccan owner.

• Creole, Magic Circle, Vira now Creole. 191′ LOA. 1927. 3M Staysail, Comp. Construction. Des.  Chas. E. Nicholson.  Blt.  Camper & Nicholson.  currently owned by Italian sisters.  Sailing on Med.

• Cressida, Pioneer, now Yankee Clipper; 172′ LOA.  1927. Orig. 2M Sq. Fore Top.  Was later 3M Staysail. Des. Cox & Stevens.  Blt.  Krupp.  Her plans were probably  evolved from the 1903 Intrepid.   We have interesting information from the 1920’s and 30’s about this fine vessel.  This vessel has now been broken up.  Jan. 7, 2017.

• Czarina, 3M Sq Fore Topsail Sch.  May have been Benjamin Nicholsons largest steam aux.  sailing yacht design No details yet.

• Flying Cloud, Fantome; 203′ 6″.  1929. 4M. Gaff, Des.  J. S. Barbour.  Blt. Cantieri Navale Orlando.  Lost in hurricane Mitch, Central America.
• Genesee; 148′ LOA.  1900.  2M. Gaff, Des. A. C. Smith & Barby.  Blt. Cressent Shipyard.  Known to have survived WWI, no details.

• Goodwill; 161′ LOA.  1922. 2M Gaff,  Des. Henry J. Gielow.  Blt. Bethlehem Shipbuilding.  One of the last large schooners to be seriously raced.  Lost with all hands on the Pacific coast of  Mexico.

• Gleniffer; 157’6”. 1899. Orig. 2M Gaff, later 3M Gaff.    Des G. L. Watson Blt D. W. Henderson.

• Guinivere (1), Orig. Visitor II; 197′ LOA. 1908. 3M Gaff. Des. A. L. Swasey & Raymond Page.  Blt.  Geo. Lawley & Son.  Wrecked while in US Naval service during WWI.  A side note. The first Visitor was a steel steam yacht Blt. 1904.

• Guinivere;  (2); 195′ LOA. 1921. 3M Gaff. Des.  A. L. Swasey.  Blt. Geo. Lawley & Son.  Last seen on the Med, 1960’s (?).

• Hamburg II, Ex. Rainbow ; 134′ or 158′ (?) LOA. 1897 or 1900(?). 2M Gaff. Des. G. L. Watson.  Blt. Hendeson & Co.

• Hussar, Vema, now Mandalay; 202′ 6″ LOA. 1923.  Orig. 3M Gaff, Now Staysail, Des.  Cox & Stevens.  Burmeister & Wain.  Recently sold, (May 2012) to be refit for service in the Eastern Carribean.

• Intrepid, Invincible, 163′ LOA.  1893.  3M Gaff, Des.  J. Bevor Webb.  Blt.  Neafie & Levy.

• Intrepid, Uvira; 171′ 6″ LOA.  1903. 2M Gaff, Des.  J. Bevor Webb.  Blt. T. S. Marvel.  Broken up about 1937.

• Kalisto, Fisherman II; 180′ LOA.  1921.  3M Sq. Fore Top, Des. Max Oertz.  Blt. Krupp.  Rig removed and repowered, was motor yacht as Fisherman II.

• Karina, Undaunted, Dauntless; 200′ LOA.  1911. 3M. Gaff, Des.  Theo. D. Wells.  Blt.  Staten Island Shipbuilding.  Built to beat Atlantic. Wrecked 1951.  Plans for her are reportedly at Mystic Seaport and at South Street Seaport.

• Katoura, Elfay, Magdalen II; 162′ LOA.  1914. 2M Gaff, Des. Nat. Herreschoff.  Blt. Herreschoff Mfg. Co.  No report after about 1951.  Last known to be in Gibraltar.

• Kihna; 183′ 9″ LOA. 1930. Rig not known, (probably 3M Staysail.) Des. Chas. Nicholson.  Blt.  Camper & Nicholson.  (Was she actually a motor yacht?)
• Lancashire Witch; British steam aux.  No details yet.

• Meteor III, Nordstern Aldeberan; 161′ LOA.  1902. 2M. Gaff, Des.  A. Cary Smith  Blt. Townsend & Downey.
• Meteor IV, Ailee; 129′ LOA.  1909. 2M Gaff, Des. Max Oertz.  Blt. Krupps Germaniawerft.

• Meteor V, Feid el Bihar; 156′ LOA.  1914. 2M Gaff, Des. Max Oertz.  Blt. Krupps Germaniawerft.  L. Francis Herreschoff thought she was an enlarged version of Westward.   Last known to be King Farok’s yacht , Egypt, 1950’s

• Migrant; 223′ LOA.  1929. 3M. Gaff, Des.  Henry J. Gielow, Inc.  Blt.  Geo. Lawley & Son.  Logs from her years as a yacht have very recently come back to City Island from, of all places, Las Vegas, Nevada.  They have not yet been read.  Reportedly blew up about 1953 while in commercial service.

• Sea Call; 215′ LOA.  1915. 3M Gaff, Monel plating over steel frames. Des.  Wm. Gardner.  Blt.  Geo. Lawley & Son.  While it was claimed that she was built only for world cruising, it is more likely that she was actually built to beat Atlantic, Karina and Katoura. She was the World’s Largest Battery.  Scrapped after only 6 weeks afloat.   One of the greatest schooners ever.  Easily reached 14 knots in trials.  It may be possible to reconstruct her lines.  A 6′ long half model of her, used to prepare her plating diagram, Ref # ML-X-AZ-60 ; and a photo of her at anchor, Ref # GO.2.537 ; are at the Hart Nautical Collection at MIT, some plans available elsewhere, also see Recent developments section.
• Sakara, Kirin, Magdalene, Kirin, Primivera, Kyra; 98′ 9″ (111’9′?) LOA, 82′ (?)  LWL Beam 22′ 9″ Draft 12′ 6′ (14′ 7″ ?). Orig Gaff now 2M Staysail Des. J. Bevor Webb.  Blt.  Geo. Lawley & Son.  Smaller than others mentioned in this section, but significant because she is one of only 2  J. Bevor Webb Designs still sailing (on the Med.) that we know of. The second is Partridge; 49′ LOA, Gaff Sloop, Blt. by Nicholson in 1885.

• Sonia II; 166′ LOA.  1931.  3M Staysail, Des. Chas. Nicholson Blt. Camper & Nicholson.

• Sunbeam II, Flying Clipper,Eugene Eugenedies now Eugenios Eugenidis; 195′ LOA. 1929. 3M Gaff Sq. Fore Top, Des.  G. L. Watson  Blt. Denny.  Has reportedly been taken over by the Greek Navy for use as a sail training ship.  Funds lacking for restoration during current economic situation.

• Sultana; 190′ LOA.  1890. 3M. Gaff, Sq. Fore Top, Des.  J. Beavor Webb.   Blt.  Handren & Robins. Rig may have been removed later.

• Utowana; 190′ LOA. 1891. 3M. Gaff, Des.  J. Beavor Webb.  Blt.  Neafie & Levy.

• Sultana and Utowana; May have been sisterships.

• Vergemere; 162′ LOA.  1903.  Des. A. Cary Smith.  Blt. Harlan & Hollingsworth.  My have been a sistership to Meteor III.
• There probably were other very large  schooners we don’t yet know of.
• We have additional information on most of these vessels.                                                         Last Edited  Jan. 7, 2017.

Designers of Large Schooner Yachts, 1895-1935

John G. Alden, J. H. Barbour, Edward Burgess, A. S. Canfield, A. S. Chesbrough, Cox & Stevens, Clinton Crane, Theodore E. Ferris, William Fife, William Gardner, Gardner & Cox, L. E. Geary, Henry J. Gielow, William H. Hand, Jr., Nathaniel G. Herreschoff, Max Oertz, Charles E. Nicholson, Arthur B. Raymond, A. Cary Smith, J. M. Sopher, W. C. Storey, A. L. Swasey, Swasey, Raymond & Page,  Tams Lemoine & Crane, G. L. Watson, J. Bevor Webb, Theodore D. Wells, H. C. Winteringham. Winteringham & Wells.        Who did we miss?  Last update Feb. 11, 2010.

11 Two Masted Racing Schooners Built In Germany the U. K. and the U. S. A. for or acquired by German Owners 1900-1914

• Cicely, 134′ LOA, 1902, Des. Wm. Fife, Blt. Fife. Originally British Owned.

• Clara, 1899 (1900?), Des. J. M. Sopher, No specs. yet. Des. for a German Owner.

• Germania, Exen, Half Moon, 122′ LOA, 1908.  Des. Max Oertz, Blt. Krupps Germaniawerft.  In 1908 Germania sailed a 47 mile course around the Isle of Weight in record time.   Wrecked in Florida hurricane, 1930.   Construction of replica began in 2009 at the same yard that built the new Elena.  Now sailing on the Med.

• Hamburg, Ex Rainbow, originally British,  158′  LOA, 1897, Composite Const. Des. G. L. Watson, Blt. D. & W. Henderson.  Finished second in the Trans-Atlantic Race of 1905.   Scraped 1927.

• Hamburg II, Originally U. S. owned, then British as Westward, and again after WW I. 136′ LOA. 1910, Des. Nat. Herreschoff, Blt. Herreschoff Mfg. Co.  Replica sailing as Eleanora.

• Iduna, 135′ LOA. 1887 (1891?)  Des. A.  Cary Smith.   Originally Blt.  U. S. By Harlan & Hollingsworth as Yampa, British owned as Yampa again after WW I.

• Lasca, 120′ LOA. 1893.  Des. Cary Smith. Blt. Pipgras.  Returned to the U. S. and became a cargo schooner in 1918 or 1919.

• Meteor III, Nordstern, Aldeberarn, 161′ LOA, 1902. Des. A. Cary Smith, Blt. Towsend And Downey.  U. S. owned after WWI.

• Meteor IV, Ailee, 129′ 11″ LOA, 1909.  Des. Max Oertz, Blt. Krupps Germaniawerft.  Meteor III and Germania were near sisters.  Meteor III was slightly huskier.  Owned  Spain (France?) after WWI.

• Meteor V, Feid el Bihar, 156′ LOA, 1914. Des. Max Oertz.  Blt. Krupps Germaniawerft.  Owned Italy after WWI, Egypt after WWII.

• Susanna, No details yet.
• We have additional information on most of these vessels.
• Last updated July 24 2011.