corsair iv yacht

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J.P. Morgan's Corsair IV

When J.P. Morgan Junior took delivery of the Corsair IV   in 1930, she was the largest and most luxurious private yacht ever built in the USA. Morgan used her for a decade, mainly on the East Coast and in the Caribbean, before gifting her to the British Admiralty to help with the war effort.

After WWII she re-entered service as a cruise ship, plying routes in Alaska and from Long Beach California down to Mexico. The photo below shows her in Vancouver, 1948. Less than a year later she struck a rock and sank in shallow waters off Acapulco.

The story began in 1882 when J.P. Morgan Senior, one of the world's richest men and an avid yachtsman, bought the 185-foot steamship Corsair . He then commissioned the bigger, faster and more luxurious Corsair II   (which the US Navy conscripted into service as a gunboat during the Spanish-American War) and the 304-foot Corsair III ,  a superyacht that featured a full-beam library, cases of wine and brandy, and humidors stocked with Cuban cigars.

Each of these three yachts generated great publicity, but media attention was particularly intense when the Corsair III was launched in 1898. It was at this time that Morgan made one of the most famous comments ever recorded. When a journalist asked him how much it would cost to operate a yacht of this size, Morgan replied:

Sir, if you have to ask that question, you can't afford it.

J.P. Morgan Senior

The Corsair IV

The Corsair IV was commissioned by J.P. Morgan Junior and built at Bath Iron Works, Maine. When she was launched in April 1930 she measured 343 feet in length and was the largest private yacht ever constructed in the USA. Nicknamed the "Princess of the Sea", she was an object of beauty with her black hull, clipper bow and elegant teak interiors. Morgan adored her, and reveled in the privacy she afforded him. One of his annual guests while cruising in Europe was the UK's Archbishop of Canterbury, and on one memorable occasion the two of them sailed across the Mediterranean to the Holy Land.

Following the outbreak of WWII and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, most privately-owned yachts in America were requisitioned by the US Maritime Commission and converted for use as gunships or patrol boats. For reasons which aren't entirely clear, Morgan gave the Corsair IV not to the US Navy but to the British Admiralty. Based in Bermuda, she served out the war as a patrol ship in the Western Atlantic.

Life as a Cruise Ship

After the war there was a dearth of cruise ships on America's West Coast. Many of the great Canadian Pacific and Japanese liners that serviced this coastline in the 1920s and 1930s had been lost in sea battles or fallen victim to mines. To plug this gap, the Pacific Cruise Lines company was formed in 1946 and promptly snapped up J.P. Morgan's Corsair IV . The yacht was re-named Corsair and taken to Canada to be converted to a luxury cruise liner.

With accommodation for 82 passengers and a crew of 76, the new Corsair exuded luxury. Staterooms were not only bigger and better equipped than rival ships, they were fitted with carpets and air-conditioning (almost unheard of at the time), and included furnishings made from the finest materials. The Corsair debuted in September 1947, offering two-week cruises from California to Acapulco. Ticket prices were high, but in booming post-war America, so was the demand.

The Corsair was a great success. Her cruises sold out well in advance and her popularity exceeded anything her new owners had imagined. Before long she switched from Mexico to Alaska and became the first ship to offer luxury cruises to the Inside Passage. Soon after she reverted to Mexico, the Panama Canal and across the Caribbean to Havana. And then tragedy struck: in November 1949 the Corsair hit a rock off the coast of Acapulco and sank. Fortunately none of her 55 passengers or crew were harmed.

Made in China: the Nero

In the early years of this century, British entrepreneur Neil Taylor began hunting for a classic yacht to restore and re-model along the lines of the Corsair IV . When he couldn't find what he wanted, Taylor set up his own company, Corsair Yachts, and commissioned a near replica of J.P. Morgan's yacht from Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China. Launched in 2008, the sleek, black-hulled superyacht was christened Nero . The following year she triumphed in the "Best Motor Yacht Over 75 Metres" category at the ShowBoats Design Awards.

In 2014 the Nero was bought by Irish billionaire Denis O'Brien. Two years later he had her refurbished in Spain, requesting that she be brought up to European standards and given a classic, contemporary elegance. The Nero is now available for summer charters in the Mediterranean and winter service in the Caribbean & Bahamas. Since her introduction to the charter circuit she has won praise for her fusion of old-world charm and tasteful styling, with many clients commenting positively on her spacious interiors, Ralph Lauren decor and relaxed living environments.

Pinnacle Marine New Zealand

We have years of practical experience dealing with luxury yachts and are supported by a network of contacts throughout the industry. If you would like more information about luxury yachts, or anything else connected to the world of yachting, please feel free to contact us.

Grace, Michael (2008), The Tragic Life of the Corsair IV , New York Social Diary

Merl, Risa (2017), Nero: Inside the 90m Modern Classic Superyacht's MB92 Refit , Boat International

Viju, Mathew (2016), Eight Ways J.P. Morgan Defined the Good Life , Robb Report

Wisner, Bill (1975), The Golden Age of Yachts , Motor Boating and Sailing

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Corsair IV was largest yacht built in the U.S., at BIW

The Corsair IV was built and launched at Bath Iron Works in 1930, just after the Roaring ‘20s came to an end and the Great Depression was settling in.

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This famous line is attributed to J.P. Morgan, Jr., the wealthy investor, when another banker asked about the cost of maintaining a yacht.

There is no hard evidence that Morgan ever said the line, however. Other versions include, “No man who asks himself that question can afford a yacht,” “Young man, if you have to ask, don’t get one,” and “If there is any doubt in your mind, you can’t.”

However he said it, Morgan was referring to his mega-yacht “Corsair IV,” the largest yacht built in the United States at 343.5 feet. It was built and launched at Bath Iron Works in 1930, just after the Roaring ‘20s came to an end and the Great Depression was settling in.

Morgan was the fortunate heir of J.P. Morgan, Sr., the “Greatest banker in America.” (Some people attribute the “you can’t afford it” line to the father.)

Responsible for organizing or financing General Electric, AT&T, International Harvester, and other companies, the elder Morgan made a great deal of money and left it to his son. The Morgans had already owned three yachts with the name Corsair, the last having been built in 1899. Advertisement

Pete Newell of BIW originally came up with a design for a 310-foot ship, but Morgan wanted to go bigger. The new design came with a bid price of $1,455,190 after a bit of haggling. The contract was signed in January 1929, eight months before the stock market crash.

The new Corsair would look very similar to the earlier models, with a clipper bow, bowsprit, and buff stack. The masts had to be proportionately shortened so the boat could fit under the Brooklyn Bridge.

Morgan brought several train cars full of friends and relatives to the launch, but the press was not invited. Instead, they scoured the city for any vantage point to watch the proceedings.

Later, at sea trials, Morgan was so delighted with the ship that he decided to skip the last-minute troubleshooting process and bring the Corsair directly to New York for the furnishings to be installed.

Morgan used the Corsair IV for 10 years. Later it was converted into a pricey cruise ship and began cruising to Mexico in 1947.

In 1949, the ship struck a rock in Acapulco and was abandoned.

Source: “Bath Iron Works, the First Hundred Years,” by Ralph Linwood Snow, 1987.

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Please Note : All ssMaritime and other related maritime & cruise sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned. Be assured that I am NOT associated with any shipping or cruise companies or travel or cruise agencies, etc! Although having been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960, I am now retired but having completed features on well over 700 Classic Liners and Cargo-Passengers Ships, I trust these will continue to provide you the classic ship enthusiast the information you are seeking, but above all a great deal of pleasure!  

SS Corsair IV

We see the ship here as the 1947 Pacific Cruise Lines SS Corsair having been sold

and completely renovated into a passenger ship from a private luxury yacht – Corsair IV

For many years the author had a folder somewhere in the system containing the ships details as well as a series of photographs of this remarkable small classic vessel. She certainly was not one of the great liners of the world, for she was built and designed to be a luxury yacht that would later become a deluxe cruise ship. Many of my regular readers may say that this ship does not fit the profile of ssmaritime.com, however, I believe that this delightful ship has a special place in maritime history, for sadly so little has been written about her! It was only due to an email received from a reader with an enquiry regarding this ship, which prompted me to write and compile this story, and I trust that it will be greatly enjoyed by those who read it, although the Corsair did have a tragic end!

Background to her building:

The story starts with the famed Business tycoon J. Pierpont Morgan and his son, Jack Morgan who had built three fine yachts in their days. All of them had been named Corsair & Corsair II & III . Like any great man of wealth and power each yacht be bigger, faster and even more luxurious than the previous one. Because of this, the family created massive media attention each time a new yacht was launched and when the last ship was launched a rather famous quote became a byword for many in the world of the rich. For when asked “Sir how much will it cost to operate a boat of this size” Mr. Morgan’s response was, “Sir, if you have to ask that question, you can’t afford it.”

J. P. Morgan Snr

Mr Morgan senior boarding the first SS Corsair

In 1927 the Morgan’s were already thinking of a new addition, the Corsair IV, which would be constructed at the Maine Shipyards. She cost US$2.5 million, being the equivalent of around 60 million plus in today’s terms. This new ship would be the Morgan’s largest yacht ever, but also the largest yacht to have been built in the U.S.A. She had an overall length of 104.55m / 343ft, although her official registered length was 91.4 m / 300ft. She was listed as: 2,142 GRT (Gross Registered Tons).

The Morgan’s had a love for the traditional yachts and even a touch of the pirate look in the designs. This was obvious in the Corsair IV, as she was a long, sleek looking, dark and heavy below, with a stylised superstructure that was lighter and to be envied!

Her Launching:

When she was ready for launching in 1930, Jack Morgan Junior hired three private railway cars which were filled with family and friends, and transported them all the Bath Iron Works Maine shipyards for the grand occasion. The launching was a great event and was covered by all the media of the day, considering the Great Depression had already begun.

The sleek looking motor yacht Corsair IV slips into the water  with a multitude of onlookers

 The SS Corsair is seen being fitted out beside her builders at Bath Maine

Photograph is owned and was provided by Mr. Mark Pennington

Mr. Mark Pennington wrote the author and stated: “My grandfather Ferdinand G. Dumais (Bud) worked at the Bath Iron Works during the construction of the SS Corsair and I have included two images he has left to me for your viewing and use. I only recently became aware of the identity of the ship and its owner through conversation with Mr. Nathan R. Lipfert, who is the Senior Curator of the “ Maine Maritime Museum ” in Bath Maine .”

A water colour image of the SS Corsair just after her completion

Image is owned and was provided by Mr. Mark Pennington

The author is most grateful to Mr. Pennington for providing these rare images and advising us about his Grandfather’s involvement in her building.

**********************************

The Corsair Story:

SS Corsair IV served the Morgan family faithfully for the ten years, sailing along the East Coast of the USA as well in the Caribbean and she took part for trans-Atlantic record-breaking crossings. However in 1940 the Corsair IV was handed over to British Admiralty to be used for the war effort. After the war was over she was laid up as the Morgan’s had no further plans for her.

  Here we see the SS Corsair IV completed and at sea looking simply splendid!

After World War II suddenly cruising had seemed to have become extremely popular amongst Americans who seemed to have money to spend on cruises, especially in the luxury end of the market. However at the time there were not any all first class ships that specialised in cruising, as most were liners that had two or three classed and operated on seasonal cruising. In addition, around half of the passenger ships had been sunk and those that had survived the war required extensive refurbishing and were needed on line voyages, and then even they would take several years before they would be back in service or new ships built. Well known North American Companies, such as American President Lines, Matson and Canadian Pacific Lines all took their time to get back to service. It took American President Lines three years to re-establish liner service to the Orient and it wasn’t until 1948 when Matson Line’s famous Lurline recommenced her Hawaii service.  Canadian Pacific also took their time, but they all sailed again in due time! But, none of these would be ready to operate cruises.

There were some business men in the shipping industry who had a good head on them and they had a good idea about the luxury cruise market, and thus the Skinner and Eddy Corporation who owned the Alaska Steamship Company in 1946 decided to form a new branch the Pacific Cruise Lines. They went looking for a ship and soon found the perfect ship for their needs, the Corsair IV. The former super luxury Morgan yacht was purchased reregistered Panamanian flag.

She was officially renamed Corsair , with the IV being dropped, was taken to the Todd Shipyards in New York where she received some minor repairs required at the time as well as an overhaul in the engine room.

SS Corsair’s engine room  – like the rest of the ship, it was spotless!

When these were completed she sailed to the Victoria Machinery Depot in Victoria , Canada , where a comprehensive conversion took place making her into a genuine luxury passenger cruise ship. Some of the most famous designers took part in her interiors, such as William F. Schorn & Associates of New York , who also worked on the famous liners SS Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay of McCormick Line. Every part of the ship, for now she was much more than just a yacht, but a glamorous ship, was redone in detail, but retaining the elegance befitting the luxury of the Corsair, but modernised with sublimely elegant surroundings for the ships passengers! When Skinner and Eddy Corporation of Pacific Cruise Lines planned a new ship, their plan was to offer to their cruise passenger one of the most luxurious cruise ship’s on the seas, and apparently they succeeded as the future booking would soon prove.

SS Corsair’s facilities:

Facilities on the new and glamorous SS Corsair were second to none . She had just 42 staterooms accommodating 82 passengers. Each of her staterooms was much larger and more luxurious than on almost any other ship afloat. Obviously there was no expense spared in furnishing and decorating them, with the finest materials, and all done with the best workmanship that was available in the USA . Each of the Corsair staterooms and suites featured luxury beds, as there were no passenger berths on her. In addition every stateroom and suite had a private bathroom.

The bedroom of a double bedded suite

The bedroom of a twin bedded stateroom

  Then lounge area of a twin bedded stateroom

SS Corsair had just over 40 stewards on board; however she did have a total of 76 crew members that is almost one per passenger, which is unheard of these days! Each passenger received individual attention and nothing was ever too much. Catering on board was the ultimate as some of the very top European chefs were hired to dish up their finest cuisine, and her food was lauded by everyone long after they had left the ship!

Stewards line up out on deck for inspection

One of the ships chefs ensuring the detail is perfect!

A gleaming galley

Her public rooms such as the Main Lounge, forward Observation Lounge, Cocktail Lounge, Restaurant and other on board venues were all luxuriously carpeted and fully air-conditioned as were all of her accommodations, bedrooms, sitting rooms and suites. The Morgan’s would have been very proud of her!

The Main Lounge

Forward Observation Lounge

Cocktail Lounge and Bar

The Thunderbird Restaurant

SS Corsair is ready to set sail:

Pacific Cruise Lines placed full-page advertisements for cruising on this super luxurious all first class SS Corsair in a popular Holiday magazine and the response was simply amazing. Suddenly bookings rolled in and before Pacific Cruise Lines knew it, they had a big waitlist on their hands. All was going well for their new ship! 

SS Corsair looking like a luxury cruise ship in her new all white livery

Note her hull enclosures and aft deck extensions

SS Corsair made her maiden voyage on September 29, 1947 as she departed on a two-week cruise from Long Beach , to Acapulco , via a variety of ports. The fare started from $600 per person, which was expensive for those days and it equalled, it is said “more than a quarter of the 1947 typical American family income” at that time. But this was a luxury cruise line and was aimed at the rich and her cruises were selling out well in advance. Her popularity as a luxury cruise ship was even bigger than her owners could have imagined, as countless letters proved from her passengers during the first twelve months of operation. The super luxury cruise ship, SS Corsair was a massive success, and she was to have a profitable long future ahead of her!

Above and below : The 1948/49 Acapulco  cruise brochure

Her Long Beach to Mexico cruises continued, however in the summer of 1948 Pacific Cruise Lines switched the Corsair to Alaska service, sailing out of Vancouver, British Columbia where she was the very first ship ever to provide a deluxe two-week cruise to the Inside Passage. In addition, there was another first for the Corsair Alaska cruises for they also had am especially chartered train transporting passengers from Whittier to famed McKinley National Park , which is now the norm with most cruise lines, but the Corsair was the forerunner of this operation!  

Above and below : The 1949 Alaska brochure

This season was followed by a series of cruises to Mexico and Havana , where she cruised the Gulf of California and the Panama Canalthis schedule was completed in the spring of 1949. She then returned to Alaska for a series of summer cruises, which was again repeated by a season of cruises to Mexico from Long Beach beginning in October 1949.

SS Corsair seen at Long Beach California

Passengers enjoying the cruising life on SS Corsair:

Passengers enjoying a drink aft of the ship on the “big bed”

An intimate moment on the aft “big bed” – still has that feel of a yacht!

Having fun up on deck

Tragedy struck the SS Corsair on November 12, 1949:

Then suddenly on November 12, 1949 whilst on a Mexican Riviera cruise, SS Corsair struck a rock and being in danger of sinking, she was beached at Acapulco . Her crew and all 55 passengers took to her lifeboats and went safely ashore.

Tragedy has struck as we see the Corsair on the rocks

This photograph is the property of “Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society”

Thus, thankfully there was no loss of life. The Corsair soon listed onto her starboard side, and her promenade deck was soon under water. She was examined by her marine experts and owners, however it was determined that the luxury cruise ship was a total loss, and thus she was abandoned to “Davy Jones’ locker.” Today divers go down and look at this once great lady of the sea and they can only imagine her grandeur that once was.

As we think of the countless ships that I have written on over the years, we must admit that this small luxury yacht come cruise ship is very special indeed. There have been very few ships that compare to this magnificent super luxury cruising yacht in these modern days, for they build massive ships well over 223,000 GRT that simply look more like hideous Condos, and square boxes with a hull under it. But 1. you will cruise with a crowd, and 2. None will any of those ship come even close   to equal the sublime elegance of the former J.P. Morgan yacht SS Corsair IV!

  Sadly the storm clouds says it all, her days are over!

The end to P. J. Morgan’s dream

Remembering the SS Corsair IV

****************************

“Blue Water Liners sailing to the distant shores. I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched them die.”

************************

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages  are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me ( my email address may be found only on www.ssmaritime.com ), in order that due credit may be given.

This notice covers all pages , although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displayed on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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Launching of the yacht CORSAIR (IV) at Bath Iron Works, 1930

Contributed by maine maritime museum.

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Description

The steel-hulled, turbo-electric-powered CORSAIR was the fourth yacht by that name owned by J. P. Morgan and his family. CORSAIR (IV) was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath and was the largest yacht ever built in the U.S. She measured 2,142 gross tons, register length 300 feet, length over all 343 feet. Morgan used her for 10 years, mostly on the East Coast and in the West Indies. She was given to the British Royal Navy during World War II, and then was a luxury cruise ship on the West Coast until being wrecked near Acapulco in 1949.

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About This Item

• Title: Launching of the yacht CORSAIR (IV) at Bath Iron Works, 1930
• Creator: Perry Thompson
• Creation Date: 1930-04-10
• Subject Date: 1930-04-10
• Location: Kennebec River, Bath, Sagadahoc County, ME
• Media: Photographic print
• Dimensions: 19 cm x 24 cm
• Local Code: Neg. No. 03548
• Collection: Photographic Reference Collection, PC-3
• Object Type: Image

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• Yachts--Maine--Bath
• Ships--Launching
• Shipbuilding--Bath (ME)
• Ships, Iron and steel
• Ships--Maine--Bath
• Bath Iron Works
• Corsair (Ship)
• Morgan, J P

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Old Salt Blog

A virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist rick spilman.

Cakewalk – Largest Yacht Built in US Since J.P. Morgan’s Corsair IV

While we may prefer prefer vessels with more sticks, cloth and string, we are overdue in acknowledging the construction of   Cakewalk , a new  $82 million 85 meter yacht, which was delivered from Derecktor Shipyards in Bridgeport, CT yard in August. Cakewalk is the largest yacht built in the US since Bath Iron Works built the Corsair IV for J.P. Morgan in 1930.

[iframe: src=”http://player.vimeo.com/video/15188564?portrait=0″ width=”400″ height=”225″ frameborder=”0″]

Cakewalk | The Launch from vacilando on Vimeo .

Cakewalk – Largest Yacht Built in US Since J.P. Morgan’s Corsair IV — 3 Comments

Nice Yacht, must be nice to have that kind of money.

Too bad that Derecktor misspelled Superyacht as “Superacht”. http://www.charterworld.com/news/derecktor-launch-85-motor-yacht-cakewalk-largest-usa-history/superyacht-cakewalk

How embarrassing.

Oh well. Typos will be the death of us all. I think it was Charterworld and not Derecktor who made the typo. Not that I am one to be overly critical of those make typos….

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Maine News Index – Portland Monthly

Article on the "corsair iv" and the "vanda," two luxury yachts built at bath iro.

Colin Sargent

Portland Monthly

Additional Date Information

July-Aug 2004

Article on the "Corsair IV" and the "Vanda," two luxury yachts built at Bath Iron Works (BIW) in the aftermath of World War I. With production struggling after the war, BIW was sold at auction in 1925, and was purchased by William Newell in 1927. Newell persuaded financier J.P. Morgan to build "Corsair IV" at BIW. The 343-foot-yacht set a new standard. BIW began to rebound on the strength of those contracts and produced a total of 160 civilian vessels. Both yachts were retooled for use in World War II. After the war, "Corsair IV" was converted to an 80-passenger commercial cruiser working the West Coast. The final fate of the "Vanda" is unknown.

Bath Iron Works, Corsair IV (Yacht), Vanda (Yacht)

Recommended Citation

Sargent, Colin, "Article on the "Corsair IV" and the "Vanda," two luxury yachts built at Bath Iro" (2004). Maine News Index – Portland Monthly . 663. https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_portmonthly/663

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Back When Cruising Was Real Luxury

Morgan family yacht brought well heeled visitors to alaska in late 40s.

By DAVE KIFFER

May 03, 2018 Thursday PM

(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Each year more than one million cruise ship passengers visit Alaska. All arrive in a manner vastly different from the thousands of people who once sailed the Inside Passage to Alaska.

Once upon a time, most visitors came in cramped steamships that were more a relic of the 19th Century than the modern cruise ships of the 21th Century. Passage was much more utilitarian back then. Unless you were on the Corsair IV, a world famous luxury yacht that briefly presaged the modern era of more luxurious cruising back in the late 1940s.

To refer to the Corsair IV, which operated in Alaska for Pacific Cruise Lines in 1948 and 1949, as a luxury yacht is entirely appropriate, because that's what she was.

The Corsair IV started out her seagoing life as the luxury yacht of the J.P. Morgan family, one of the richest families in the world. To accurately place the Corsair IV in its proper standing, you only have to look it up on the internet to come across a 2008 story about the ship in the online version of the "New York Social Register."

The Morgan family owned four different "Corsair" yachts over the years. The building and commissioning of each one was front page news. One of the earlier Corsair's was so luxurious that it was responsible for the most famous statement ever made about money in American history. A reporter had asked the family patriarch, J.P. Morgan, how much his new yacht cost to operate.

"Sir, if you have to ask, you can't afford it," Morgan legendarily replied.

The elder J.P. Morgan  - considered preeminent American banker/industrialist at the turn of the 20th Century - was long gone by the time the Corsair IV was commissioned in 1930 by his son J.P. Morgan Jr.

The Corsair IV, a turbo-electric driven ship, was built at the famous Bath shipyard in Maine in 1930, during the first years of The Depression. The $2.5 million cost then translates to $60 million today, but one suspects it would cost 10 times that much to replicate a ship that would held be in similar esteem today. At 343 feet in length and more than 2,000 tons, it was, at the time, the largest yacht that had ever been built in the United States.

According to Michael Grace's 2008 story on the "New York Social Diary " website,  J.P. Morgan Jr. brought three railcars of friends and family to Maine just to watch the ship launching in 1930. The launch itself was covered in the pages of numerous newspapers including the New York Times.

The yacht served the family for a decade where it was primarily used in the Caribbean. The ship also set a handful of cross Atlantic speed records before being turned over to the British Government in 1940 to take part in the War effort.

During the war the ship was used in the British Isles for important meetings and other ceremonial tasks. Winston Churchill reportedly took a liking to the Corsair IV and used it on several occasions, but generally it spent most of the war at the dock.

Following World War II, the steamship industry was slow to recover from having nearly all of its major assets - it's ships - involved in the war effort. For example, liner service between countries in the Pacific was very slow to reestablish itself. Commercial avation began to take off and that was a factor as well. By the early 1950s, steamship travel to Alaska was still just a shadow of what it was prior to the war.

But the steam lines also recognized that while other industries such as barge or airline companies were taking over the day to day needs of transportation, there was a largely untapped market, tourism, that had growth potential. The Alaska Steamship Company - which had always had an active tourism component - created Pacific Cruise Lines in 1946.  Looking to stake its claim to the luxury cruise ship market, it purchased the Corsair IV for an undisclosed amount.

The name was changed from the Corsair IV to the Corsair and it was overhauled at Todd Shipyards in New York and the Victoria Machinery Depot in Victoria B.C.

Grace wrote that no expense was spared in the ship's conversion from luxury yacht to luxury cruise ship.

"In charge of her interior was the firm of William F. Schorn Associates of New York. Schorn was also responsible for giving the pre-war Moore-McCormick Liners cruising from New York to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay a much more contemporary look....This was not just a paint job but a total conversion...to create elegant surroundings for the line's future passengers."

And, compared to modern ships, there would not be many passengers, only 82, but they had significantly larger staterooms than in the normal classes today. The ship was the first of the "cruise ships" to feature beds and not berths and each stateroom had its own bath.

"The steward's department alone numbered more than 40," Grace wrote in 2008. "Each was responsible for the sole purpose of catering to the slightest desire of the carriage trade passengers. All public rooms were completely carpeted and air conditioned (as were) all bedrooms, sitting rooms and suites. Top European chefts were hired to create haute cuisine."

All told, there 76 crew members, nearly a 1-1 ratio with the passengers.

In September of 1947, the Corsair began offering  two week cruises between Long Beach, California and Acapulco, Mexico. The standard rate was $600 or more than $6,700 in 2018 dollars.

Despite the cost, Grace noted that the company placed ads in national publications and demand was high enough to create a wait list. "Cruising" had become a thing, for those that could afford it.

In the summer of 1948, the Corsair began operating two-week cruises up the Inside Passage from Vancouver, British Columbia to Whittier, Alaska. From Whittier, passengers could ride a special train to Anchorage and on to what was then called Mt. McKinley National Park.  Rates on the Alaska cruises ranged from $500 to $800 and once again they were popular enough to generate a waiting list for the better dates.

The next spring, the Mexico cruises were expanded to include visits to Havana, Cuba. In the summer of 1949, the ship returned again to the Inside Passage.

In October of 1949, it was back on its California to Mexico runs and that's where the story of the Morgan Yacht that became a cruise ship sadly ends.

On November 12, 1949 it struck a rock near Acapulco and was seriously damaged. All the crew and passengers were safely evacuated but the ship was deemed a total loss.

Even today, as cruise ships tout their high end accommodations and even the "cheap" berths on the ships maintain a level of sophistication that would be completely foreign to the old steam ships, there is no question that true "luxury" on the Inside Passage run began and ended with the Morgan's Corsair.

Columns by Dave Kiffer Historical Feature Stories by Dave Kiffer

Dave Kiffer ©2018

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The 10 Most-Exciting Yacht Debuts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show

Besides the debut of smaller vessels, more than 60 yachts over 100 feet will be at palm beach this week. it promises to be a banner event., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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For superyacht shoppers, the Palm Beach International Boat Show, kicking off its four-day run this week, is set to break records with more than 60 yachts over 100 feet long on display. Last year was also a banner year for superyachts at the show. 

Headliners will include the likes of the 295-foot Corsair Nero ,  the 278-foot Victorious by AKYacht, the 230-foot Turquoise-built Talisman C , and 213-foot Benetti Triumph among brokerage yachts, and in new yachts, the 113-foot Ocean Alexander Puro 35 is making its world debut.  

There are so many gleaming white vessels over 100 feet, in fact, that the fleet will be split between the Palm Harbor Marina at the main show site on the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront and the Safe Harbor Rybovich Marina two miles north. 

Now in its 42nd year, PBIBS will also showcase hundreds of models of dayboats, cruisers, and fishing boats, as well as marine accessories. Running from this Thursday through Sunday, the show coincides with the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary art show, a fortuitous opportunity for yacht owners wanting to add new art to their collections.

Here are 10 must-see boats at this year’s show.

Corsair Yachts ‘Nero’

The undisputed star of this year’s Palm Beach show? That would be the 295-foot, classically styled superyacht Nero , built in 2007 and inspired by American financier J.P. Morgan’s legendary 1930s steamer Corsair IV . Nero ‘s attendance at PBIBS marks its return to the charter market after an extensive refit in 2021. Now better than new, the boat is being managed by Burgess. With weekly charter rates from $497,000, the vessel offers five-star accommodations for 12 guests in six cabins, with pampering from a crew of 20. Part of the refit included a full interior refresh by Italian interior designer Laura Pomponi, plus a major focus on wellness. That meant the construction of a new, state-of-the-art gym and spa, the assistance of a certified onboard trainer, a masseuse and beautician. After PBIBS, Nero will spend the winter in the Caribbean before returning to the Med for the summer season.

Ocean Alexander Puro 35P

Ocean Alexander is debuting the first of its new Puro superyacht series at PBIBS. The 113-foot Puro 35P comes from the drawing board of Italian designer Giorgio M. Cassetta and is a step back from the polarizing lines of OA’s recent Revolution and Explorer series with their bold, vertical bow designs. Aimed at long-distance cruising, the 35P can carry over 5,000 gallons of fuel and is powered by twin 2,000 hp MAN V12s for a 24-knot top speed. Twin 55kW Kohler generators can also keep the yacht powered at anchor for long periods. Other standout features include extensive glazing in the chiseled fiberglass hull, a forward deck plunge pool, and spacious accommodations for 10 guests. 

Think of it as the “starter” Sirena. Aimed at a younger demographic, the Turkish builder’s brand-new Sirena 48 is making its U.S. debut at PBIBS after a global reveal at last fall’s Cannes boat show. Such is its appeal that 27 hulls have already been sold, with 13 of the orders coming from North America. Looking like a scaled-down version of Sirena’s popular 58, its distinctive, trawler-style lines are from Argentinian designer Germán Frers. With more interior space than a typical 48-footer, the yacht offers three staterooms—plus a crew cabin—a spacious, light-filled salon, a large cockpit, an oversized flybridge, and a vast forward social area. Take your pick from twin 550 hp Cummins QSB, or 670 hp Volvo D11 turbo diesels. Or the builder is also offering hybrid power with twin 285 hp electric motors charged up by variable-speed generators that are good for a 30-mile battery-only range.

Feadship ‘Olympus’

Picture purchasing a classic 180-foot Feadship superyacht, and then getting a $10 million bill for a major refit. That was the case with Olympus , built by the Dutch masters at Feadship in 1996 to a design by Britain’s Andrew Winch and the celebrated naval architect Frits De Voogt. Sold in 2022, the new owner sent it to the Monaco Marine refit center in La Ciotat, France for a major makeover. It included overhauling the 2,600 hp Caterpillar engines and generators, repairs to the structure, substantial upgrades to the guest areas and crew quarters, and new paint throughout. With the work completed just last year, the vessel is said to be in mint condition. Offered jointly by brokers Fraser and Edmiston, Olympus has an asking price of $28.5 million. With accommodations for 16 guests in eight cabins, the boat’s highlights include two primary suites, tropical-spec air conditioning, and Palm Beach-chic decor.

Benetti ‘Triumph’

Italian yachting powerhouse Benetti is showing off its superyacht-building skills with the 213-foot Triumph . Delivered in 2021, this Giorgio M. Cassetta-designed steel-and-aluminum world girder features six decks, a 1,400-square-foot primary suite with outdoor terrace and adjoining lounge, a 750-square-foot beach club, and a touch-and-go helipad. What sets Triumph apart, however, is its lavish interior furnishings put together by the owner along with Benetti Interior Style and Monaco-based Green & Mingarelli Design. It includes pieces by French glassmaker Lalique, marble from Marfil, Statuario and Armani, furs, silk and wool carpets, plus a collection of cool black-and-white wildlife photographs by British fine art photographer David Yarrow. The pièce de résistance? That would be the owner’s Triumph Bonneville motorcycle displayed in the salon.

Fjord 39 XP/XL

Germany’s Fjord Yachts, part of the Hanse Group, has a new 39-foot day boat that it’s unveiling at the Palm Beach show. The 39 XP and XL keep all the bold design cues of the bigger Fjord 41 XP and XL, like a big, open cockpit, walkaround center console, vertical bow, mile-high windshield and stretched hardtop. As for the differences between the XP and XL, it’s all about power. The XL comes with a choice of twin 320hp Volvo D4 diesels, or bigger 440 hp D6 versions, both with Volvo stern drives. Likely more appealing to U.S. buyers will be the XP powered by twin 400 hp Mercury Verado V10 outboards giving a 50-knot top speed. Pricing starts at around $500,000.

Turquoise ‘Talisman C’

Chandeliers don’t come more dramatic than this. Cascading down the central spiral staircase of the Turkish-built, 231-foot superyacht Talisman C , this jaw-dropping piece of art comprises an array of multi-colored glass balls threaded on stainless-steel rods and illuminated by hanging fiber-optic strands. It’s the creation of Prague-based Crystal Caviar and is one of a number of glass installations on this sleek, low-profile superyacht. Built in 2011 by the Proteksan Turquoise shipyard, Talisman C was designed inside and out by London-based studio H2 Yacht Design, with naval architecture by Italy’s Hydro Tec. With cabins for 12 guests, one of its highlights is a huge primary suite, which boasts more crystal chandeliers and a private library. Twin 2,447 hp Caterpillar diesels give a top speed of 18 knots and a transatlantic range of 7,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. It’s listed with Burgess for $59.9 million. 

Sanlorenzo 44 ‘Kamakasa’

Delivered in 2020 and sold to a new buyer just last August, the 146-foot Sanlorenzo 44 Alloy Kamakasa will be for sale at PBIBS. The asking price, through the Italian Yacht Group, is $23.75 million. Lack of use might also be the issue here; the yacht’s twin 2,600 hp MTU V16 diesels have a mere 289 hours on the clock. Built in aluminum to a design by Rome-based Zuccon International Project, Kamakasa was the second hull in the Sanlorenzo 44 Alloy series. One of the top features is a primary suite that spans three levels and almost 1,600 square feet; it also comes with a private Jacuzzi, separate bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and a private study. The yacht’s lightweight construction and MTU power combine to deliver an impressive 20-knot top speed.

Bahama 41 GT2

As ultimate, reel-’em-in, fishing center consoles go, the Bahama 41 from West Palm Beach-based Bahama Boat Works is as hard-core as they come. But when owners kept asking for a little more comfort for the family, the builder responded. The result is the brand-new flagship 41 GT debuting at PBIBS. While the proven, wave-slicing hull stays the same, the cockpit layout is new. In place of the single bench seat, there are now three-across bucket seats with a second row behind. The wider console now has space for a pair of 22-inch Garmin screens, while the new extended hardtop features sun shades and even a rain shower. Outboard choices stay the same with either twin Mercury V12 600s, or four 400 hp Mercury V10s, good for a 65-knot-plus top speed. Pricing is from around $920,000.

Heesen ‘Book Ends’

Launched in 2022, this 164-foot Heesen is part of the Book Ends collection, owned by an American couple who have had more than 18 yachts with the same name. The exterior design of this Heesen was by Omega Architects, while Dutch studio Van Oossanen did the naval architecture. The yacht is part of Heesen’s fast cruising series, which is more efficient than other vessels its size, and can reach 23 knots at full speed with its MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines. The yacht is listed through Ocean Independence for 42 million Euro, or about $45.7 million.

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Nautical Antiques | Lannan Ship Model Gallery – Lannan Gallery

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Lannan Gallery

Model of JP Morgan's "Corsair IV", 1930

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Exceptional, museum quality model of Corsair IV , JP Morgan's private steam yacht. This model is outfitted with raised paneled mahogany cabins, planked deck, turned brass fittings, rigged masts and etc. Detailed longboats and launches hang from davits. The vessel flies the New York Yacht Club burgee and the Morgan house flag. Mounted into a mahogany display case with matching table.

Overall Dimensions: 56" L x 16" W x 57" H

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Introducing Limited Edition Residences on Greenwich Harbor

the CORSAIR

A PLACE WITH AUTHENTICITY AND COMPELLING NATURAL BEAUTY.

A PLACE OF ENDURING VALUE.

A PLACE TO BE TREASURED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS AS IT IS PRIZED TODAY.

INSPIRED BY THE LUXURIOUS CORSAIR FLAGSHIP YACHT OF THE GOLDEN AGE

The Corsair is the realization of a grand vision achieved with some of the world’s best architects and designers to create a signature waterfront community on a rare stretch of Greenwich Harbor that was settled more than 300 years ago.

The Corsair showcases timeless stone and shingle architecture with classic materials to create a place that seems to have been here forever. Beneath its traditional design, The Corsair has integrated environmentally sustainable infrastructure and technology to offer state-of-the-art living spaces.

Most spectacularly, every home has breathtaking views that connect one directly to the water and break down the barriers between indoor and outdoor living.

THESE LIMITED EDITION RESIDENCES ARE NAMED FOR J. P. MORGAN'S 1930 CORSAIR IV, A 300-FT LUXURY YACHT.

ROBERT A. M. STERN IS A WORLD-RENOWNED, NEW YORK-BASED ARCHITECT, EDUCATOR, AND AUTHOR.

Residences masterfully designed, by visionary, robert a. m. stern.

The selection of Robert Stern as architect was based on the firm’s international acclaim for their visionary residential projects including 15 Central Park West and 30 Park Place in New York City as well as high-end buildings in London, Paris, Los Angeles and Charleston. Robert Stern specializes in designing luxury waterfront properties including many beautiful Hamptons beach homes. In addition, from 1998 to 2016, he was the Dean of the Yale School of Architecture

the BUILDING & COMMUNITY FEATURES

• Outdoor swimming pool
• Expansive landscaped lawns & gardens
• Private storage units
• Parking garage
• Private dock
• Panoramic views of Greenwich Harbor
• Walking distance to Greenwich Train Station, 45-minute express to Grand Central
• Walking distance to Greenwich Avenue, boutique shopping, cafes and restaurants
• Adjacent to Indian Harbor Yacht Club

GREENWICH HARBOR

Timeless modern luxury.

The Corsair is located directly on Greenwich Harbor and within walking distance of Greenwich Avenue, the heart of the Town, which offers high-end retailers, luxury boutiques and chic eateries. The Corsair is further improved by a short walk to the Greenwich Train Station, where one can catch a 45-minute express directly into Grand Central. Located in one of the most affluent communities in the United States, Greenwich offers excellent schools, gorgeous beaches and parks, art and cultural institutions including the Bruce Museum and extensive recreational facilities including golf, sailing and rowing clubs.

THE BELL, CAST IN BRASS, WAS USED ON BOARD THE CORSAIR. IT NOW RESIDES IN THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM. IT IS RUNG DAILY TO SIGNAL THE MUSEUM’S CLOSING.

THE CORSAIR WATCH WAS PRESENTED BY J.P. MORGAN TO J. FREDERIC TAMS FOR BUILDING THE YACHT CORSAIR.

The residences, every home has breathtaking views that connect one directly to the water.

These seven remarkable condominium residences feature single-level living with seamless indoor-outdoor layouts and nautical-style wooden finish.

The residences connect contemporary lifestyles to traditional American aesthetics, evoking a sense of graceful timelessness.

the RESIDENCE FEATURES

• All residences have private porches/balconies
• Kolbe™ Mahogany windows & doors
• Prefinished solid oak, wide plank flooring
• Detailed base, crown molding & custom paneling
• Gas fireplace
• Smart Home thermostat system
• Oversized solid-core doors with solid brass hardware
• Pre-wired for blinds/shades
• Front-loading HE™ Washer & Dryer
• Designer Kitchen
• Master Spa Bathroom

RESIDE IN LUXURY DEFINED BY

The details.

The close attention that has been paid to the custom design and luxurious finishes, both inside and out, prove that luxury is indeed in the details.

waterfront VIEWS

From every residence.

Overlooking Belle Haven and the Long Island Sound, all homes at The Corsair are accentuated with generous terraces and expansive windows that allow natural light into every corner of the home. Complete with its own private dock and outdoor swimming pool, The Corsair offers true waterfront living.

A MODEL OF THE CORSAIR IV, WORLD-RENOWNED FOR ITS CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN. FACILITIES ON THE GLAMOROUS CORSAIR WERE SECOND TO NONE.

Inspired by the fourth of J.P. Morgan’s legendary yachts named Corsair, NERO was specially commissioned and built by Corsair Yachts in 2007. Launched in 2008, her design was crafted to exude the same turn of the century opulence that underpinned the fourth Corsair yacht, which set sail in 1930.

Design & Build

NERO was commissioned by British entrepreneur Neil Taylor.  A keen yachtsman and serial boat owner, with NERO Taylor saw an opportunity to combine his love for classic yachting lines with today’s mechanical ability and supreme standards of comfort.

Specification & DEck Plans

NERO’s decks are connected by a sweeping staircase and the internal layout features multiple lounges, an art deco cocktail bar, formal dining room, and inviting spaces to socialise and relax.

Nero's Crew

NERO boasts a dedicated captain and crew of 20, including a personal trainer, beautician, masseuse and spa therapist, as well as a Michelin-level culinary team. NERO’s crew are experienced yachting professionals who, in addition to their formal roles, are dedicated to providing unrivalled hospitality to all those aboard.

Copyright Nero Yacht 2024