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

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At Auction: Nautical Curiosities from J.P. Morgan’s Corsair

The second in a series of enormous steam yachts named Corsair was built for J.P. Morgan in 1890 by Neafie & Levy of Philadelphia, replacing an earlier craft used by the financier as a ferry between his Hudson River estate and office on Wall St. In 1897 the 241-ft. Corsair II became the flagship of the famed New York Yacht Club when Morgan was elected Commodore; in 1898 it was bought by the government and renamed the USS Gloucester , serving as a gunship in the Spanish-American War. Morgan, who commissioned an even larger Corsair to replace it, entertained great men of the day from Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Edison to Mark Twain aboard the floating mansions fitted with every possible luxury.

Corsair with a Flagship banner. Some 220 pieces of it will be included in an historic sale of nautical curiosities from the various Corsairs and more at Boston Harbor Auctions on May 1. Other items from Morgan’s collection include a silver Tiffany & Co. cigar cutter designed in the Corsair ‘s crescent and star motif; his mahogany poker set complete with ivory chips; Boston-made brass ship’s clocks; embroidered table linens; specially bottled Scotch whisky and engraved tumblers; canvas covered wicker provisions trunks; and even a classic wooden launch from the Corsair III (pictured below in front of the NYYC in Newport). Not a bad haul….

Jared Paul Stern is the editor of Driven .

All photos courtesy Boston Harbor Auctions.

More than 10,000 ACL readers receive the weekly newsletter.

Comments on “ at auction: nautical curiosities from j.p. morgan’s corsair ”.

Cute house.

Amazing. The interior is a wonder, I’m sure. I’ve been on Victorian Yachts at the Museum in Newport. Pianos, red velvet sofas. I can only imagine what’s in there.

Very cool. Great find MW.

Sweet! Bit of fun: the on-line catalog of the Morgan Library is called “Corsair.”

Jamie Dimon should buy it all.

I love the simplicity of the poker chips.

Comments are closed.

Rotterdam Lloyd MS Sibajak 1928 to 1959

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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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Nautical Antiques | Lannan Ship Model Gallery – Lannan Gallery

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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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Boat of the Week: The 295-Foot ‘Nero’ Was Inspired by a Classic Superyacht From 1930

The new interior and gym on 295-ft. nero, built to resemble jp morgan's corsair iv, show how a classic-looking yacht can stay thoroughly modern., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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Superyacht fans around the world will instantly recognize Nero , the one-of-a-kind 295-footer that defines the term “modern classic.” First launched from Corsair Yachts in 2007, Nero was commissioned as a replica of the famed 300-foot Corsair IV owned by J.P. Morgan, which, when launched in 1930, was the world’s largest yacht.

British entrepreneur Neil Taylor loved the look of Corsair IV , but didn’t want the expense of restoring a vintage yacht—which would’ve been impossible with Corsair , since it had transitioned into a high-end cruise ship in Asia and eventually sank off the coast of Mexico. Instead, Taylor set about building a beautiful replica with a modern hull and interior.

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Taylor actually established the Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China and hired 400 workers to build the yacht, which took nearly four years to complete. Two years after her delivery, she took Best Motor Yacht over 246 feet in the ShowBoats International Design Awards. The 1930s lookalike has since undergone two major refits, the latest just completed at San Giorgio del Porto in Genoa, Italy, to become an even more modern version of the original classic.

Nero’s new gym was installed to make the yacht more relevant in today’s superyacht world. 

“ Nero ’s original build was fairly complex, so this refit was a great opportunity to technically upgrade her to the latest regulations,” Capt. Marcel Busse told Robb Report . “I’ve overseen numerous large refits on other boats, but this one takes the cake on many levels.”

The icing on that cake is the sundeck gym filled with Technogym equipment, including a Kinesis, treadmill, cross trainer and cardio bike. The area also has loose weights, yoga and Pilates equipment and, naturally, a certified physical trainer is part of the crew. A large Jacuzzi just steps away on the sundeck makes a perfect post-workout de-stressor.

“It used to be a ‘snug’ salon, but was underused,” says Busse. “Now it’s a fully-fledged gym with mirror-fronted storage lockers, fridge and TV. We’ve got a lot of space on the sun deck, which is monstrous compared to other boats of her size.” An 18.7-foot-long resistance pool is also located on the foredeck. The original gym has become a beauty salon and massage area.

The interior was also updated with lighter-colored woods and decor for a Hampton’s beach-cottage look. 

Nero ’s owners have been careful to preserve its inimitable historical look, including the long bowsprit and yellow funnel in the center. The sleek exterior lines that herald the golden age of yachting haven’t been touched, though her striking black hull and superstructure have received a fresh coat of paint. One key area that has been rehabbed: The air-conditioning system, which could spell the difference between heaven and misery on such a large yacht. “It’s key for a black-hulled boat like Nero ,” says Busse.

Nero underwent a nine-month refit five years ago that included an updated interior by designer Laura Pomponi. “The owners spent a lot of time and money in 2016 upgrading the interior from dark wood to lime-washed wood with light-colored carpets,” says Busse. “We’ve maintained the lime wash and given the interior a Hamptons beach-house vibe.”

Pomponi was brought back for Nero ’s most recent refit, giving the interior turquoise hues with blue and red accents. Handmade carpets run throughout, including the owner’s duplex suite with separate lounge, study and his-and-hers bathrooms. Most soft furnishings, fabrics and sofas have been replaced. In the sky lounge bar, a new maple-and-oak hardwood floor delivers a wow factor in what looks like a classic yacht.

The yellow funnel and outer dining areas retain the original owner’s intent of creating a yacht with 1930s ambiance.  Courtesy Burgess Yachts

For onboard entertainment, a newly installed and upgraded Icon Connect AV/IT system delivers the latest technology. A collection of water toys, including an inflatable slide, keep everyone happy in the water.

As part of the refit, Nero ’s original custom 31-ft. limousine tender also got a makeover, with new paint and varnish, upholstery and interior lights to update her classic beauty.

Despite the classic look, Busse says the yacht has a modern hull that cruises well at 14 knots, while consuming the same amount of fuel most yachts her size would use at 12 knots. “She has two sets of stabilizers, giving her four in total, so she’s quite stable,” he says.

Nero and her tender are instantly recognizable anywhere in the world. 

Nero is available for charter in the Med through Burgess Yachts, with weekly charters starting at about $590,000.

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Superyacht Cakewalk

At 85.6 metres and 2,998 tonnes, no one would argue that Cakewalk is not something of consequence. She is the largest yacht by volume to come out of the United States and the only US-built yacht that exceeds her length on deck is Corsair IV, launched in 1931.

In 2002, the owner and his family were aboard ‘old Cakewalk ’ – a 62.2 metre yacht built by Feadship – when Carinthia VII pulled into the yacht club at Antibes. The design of that 97metre yacht stopped the owner and captain Bill Zinser in mid-sentence and the image of that moment directed the course of events since.

Even before he saw Carinthia VII , Cakewalk’s owner had already decided that he needed a bigger boat in order to carry larger tenders. Discussions for a new boat began two years later, and by autumn 2005, Zinser had a fairly complete specification. The owner wanted to build the boat in the United States, partly so that it would be possible for him and his wife to visit the project frequently during construction.

The key design element, and the second biggest change from the previous Feadship, would be the profile – and the first call was to Tim Heywood , the designer behind Carinthia VII , with a request to design a new Cakewalk ‘from the rubber gaskets out’. For naval architecture, Hugo van Wieringen, who had been the lead designer on both the previous Cakewalks , signed on to the new project under the mantle of his current company, Azure Naval Architects . The team was joined by Florida-based interior designer Liz Dalton , and momentum grew for US construction.

‘Our decision to build this ambitious project in the US was based on our knowledge of the incredible skill sets available to us in the New York and Connecticut market. Our quality standards are the highest in the industry, and Derecktor assured us they would achieve them,’ notes the owner. Derecktor has 60 years of yacht-building experience and substantial commercial ship experience as well.

When Cakewalk gently floated out of her dry dock on 8 August 2010, ‘achievement’ was an understatement.

While long ends, strong horizontal lines and a sweeping sheer define the profile, the interior brief had several details: a central staircase , an elevator and all guest suites on the main deck. Dalton refined Heywood’s general arrangement around a family and charter-friendly interior and used 3D geometry to create the staircase.

With all six guest suites and a supernumerary cabin on the main deck, the starboard foyer also serves as the entrance to the guest area, where all cabins are equal in size and appointments and open off a centreline corridor 18 metres long. Dalton explored a classic theme in the guest suites, each of which has a different colour scheme.

Wanting to balance the sheer scale and drama Cakewalk’s six cascading decks present from the stern, the aft deck is purposely kept small. Glass doors open not to a cavernous saloon but to a cosy library with a fireplace, intimate seating and a Steinway grand piano. Also carved out of the nearly 170 square metre saloon is the private dining room, which is uniquely designed as a rotunda on centreline.

Between the main and bridge decks is the owners’ deck: a private, seven-room suite. A gymnasium is to port, opposite a yoga studio that doubles as a beauty salon and massage room. Forward of the two bathrooms and dressing rooms is a full-beam sitting room and study while all the way forward, facing windows that sweep 180 degrees, is the owners’ bedroom, its signature element a canopied king-size bed.

At the opposite end of this deck is the primary outdoor dining area, which easily sits 16 at one large table but also has three small tables with combinations of fixed and loose seating. The service bar for this area is within the owners’ saloon, which is also the yacht’s cinema. As with each of the four decks devoted to owner and guest use, this one is served by a pantry of proportions and equipage that would make celebrity chefs jealous.

Most of the bridge deck belongs to operations. Although the bridge is enormous and features three seating areas, auxiliary spaces are really the stars. The captain’s office is arranged with three workstations for visiting service technicians. The crew office is separate from the radio room, both of which are independent from the navigation area where two computing systems run simultaneously for redundancy.

As to the space that drove the entire project, the ‘boathouse’ is aft of the crew area and systems control room on the lower deck. A pair of overhead cranes handle movement of a 11.3 metre Vikal limousine tender also designed by Heywood (and winner of the 2010 ShowBoats Design Award for limousine tenders), a 10 metre Riva Cento and a 10.7 metre Intrepid sportfish. With the extras such as toy stowage and dive gear in other areas, this bright, white climate-controlled area is totally dedicated to tenders and their maintenance.

Read the full feature on Cakewalk in Boat International 295 (January 2011).

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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.

Art Drawings Mixed Media & Collages Paintings Photography Prints & Multiples Scrolls, Screens & Fan Paintings Sculptures Statues & Statuettes Artists Andy Warhol Banksy Francis Bacon Frank Stella Jean-Michel Basquiat Keith Haring Pablo Picasso Roy Lichtenstein Popular Searches Bronze Statues Folk Art Lithographs Oil Paintings Pencil Drawings Portraits Browse by Origin African American Ancient Egyptian Ancient Greek and Roman Asian Catholic Egyptian European Middle Eastern Oceanic/Pacific Rim Americana + Marine Art: Session I Eldred's Sponsored. Your ad here?

Jewelry bracelets brooches & pins cufflinks, tie pins & tie clips earrings loose stones & beads necklaces & pendants rings watches featured bulgari bulova cartier chanel chopard omega patek philippe rolex swarovski tiffany & co. van cleef & arpels popular searches 18k gold jewelry diamond jewelry emeralds pearls rubies sapphires important jewelry freeman's | hindman sponsored. your ad here, asian antiques art collectibles fashion furniture jewelry tableware & barware vases & garnitures browse by origin chinese antiques indian antiques japanese antiques korean antiques persian antiques southeast asian antiques tibetan antiques featured bronze cloisonne han dynasty jade jewelry ming dynasty porcelain qing dynasty woodblock prints chinese antiques, collectibles and katanas li tingting sponsored. your ad here, furniture beds & headboards cabinets & storage seating tables tables coffee & cocktail tables desks & writing tables dining tables seating benches chairs sofas & settees cabinets & storage armoires & wardrobes bookcases, display cases & shelves buffets, sideboards & credenzas dressers & chests of drawers browse by styles art deco chippendale federal style hollywood regency mid-century modern mission style queen anne rococo victorian featured eames chairs george nelson hans wegner herman miller milo baughman paul evans stickley five centuries day 1 lyon & turnbull sponsored. your ad here, collectibles advertisements & signs automobilia & petroliana banks, registers & vending machines books, magazines & papers breweriana & beer collectibles cameras & photo equipment coins, currency & stamps figurines & miniatures desk accessories hardware hunting & fishing maps & atlases musical instruments radios, phones & electronics railroad collectibles religious & spiritual objects rocks, minerals & fossils scientific & medical objects tobacciana toys & hobbies vanity, perfume & grooming weapons & armor wine & spirits blazing jewelry coins & collectibles auction florida estate sales inc. sponsored. your ad here, coins bills & currency notes bullion coins exonumia stamps stocks, bonds & bank certificates browse by origin african american ancient greek and roman asian byzantine egyptian european middle eastern oceanic/pacific rim featured coins commemoratives dollars & half dollars gold coins half-dimes and dimes nickels proof sets quarters, home & décor candle holders clocks decorative baskets fireplaces & mantels fireplace accessories garden ornaments & accents kitchenware lighting outdoor & patio furniture picture frames coat racks & umbrella stands magazine racks mirrors planters, cachepots & jardinieres rugs & carpets tableware & barware textiles & linens vases & vessels featured art glass baccarat kpm lalique limoges meissen murano rookwood sèvres tiffany studios tom petty: off the record bonhams sponsored. your ad here, clothing dresses & gowns jackets & coats pants & trousers robes & kimonos shirts & blouses skirts suits & ensembles sweaters vests accessories bags & purses belts & chatelaines canes & walking sticks eyeglasses & spectacles neckties, bowties & bolo ties pocket squares scarves, wraps & shawls shoes wallets & money clips featured designers chanel chloe christian dior gucci hermes louis vuitton michael kors yves saint laurent day 2 - designer & vintage fashion c3-crescent commercial corporation sponsored. your ad here.

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

Museum-quality ship model of JP Morgan's private steam yacht, the "Corsair" of 1930 built at Bath Iron Works. Equipped with built up mahogany cabins, planked deck, etc. Raked masts have standing and r

556. S.Y.CORSAIR MODEL SHIP | Replica of JP Morgan Steam Yacht, c. 1930 - 1940, model by Wm. E. Hitchcock, built ci. 1960's, San Francisco Ship Model Gallery, NY. | 35" l. model | Cracks in bottom cor

Precise model of the launch that J.P. Morgan would take to get to and from his palatial yacht Corsair while it was at anchor. The carved mahogany hull is fitted with benches, floorboards, cabins, cont

(Am.,1914-1998), acrylic on board, titled, signed and dated verso. Sight size: 9 1/2" high, 23 1/2" wide. Frame size: 10 1/4" high, 24" wide. Light soiling.

Expertly crafted model of J.P. Morgan's private commuter yacht "Navette," which he used to travel between his home on Centre Island near Glen Cove, New York and Manhattan. Navette was built by Herresh

Silver Bromide Print of the Steam/Sail Yacht "Corsair" underway, in the original blackened oak frame, under old glass, inscribed in ink lower right "T. Dennie Boardman with high regards, J. Pierpont M

Monogrammed nut pick with silver plated handle, with maker's mark Gorham. Engraved with JPM on front side and Corsair on reverse. Circa 1890.

J.P Morgan Minton oyster plates,Corsair,c.1880.These two oyster plates are in very good condition, they have the impressed Minton marks.////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Rare original black and white photographs of J Pierpont Morgan. The first shows Morgan climbing the gangway of his beloved Yacht Corsair with her captain William B Porter, as it is off for a sail acro

1930's JP , possibly older ,Jouet de Paris , train station , Jouet de Paris ("JP" / "J de P" / "JEP", 1902-1968) was a much-loved French toy company rooted in the creativity of Paris during the "Belle

Pair of linen napkins from J Pierpont Morgan's private steam Yacht Corsair. Corsair is embroidered onto the napkins. Very soft and nice. Most certainly would have been used by J.P. himself. Very rare

In original glass case with plaque that reads "Steam Yacht - Corsair. Owner J. P. Morgan. Designer H. G. Gielow". American flag on front and rear. Elaborately built. Four large lifeboats and two small

Circa 1958-1960 plastic dealer promotional cars nine piece grouping, AMT Corp. 1959 Edsel Corsair, 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, 1960 Ford Falcon and 1960 Ford Thunderbird, Johan Models Inc. 1958

Corsair ship model in mahogany and glass case on mahogany stand, marked on plaque: American Steam Yacht "Corsair" of 1899 owner J. Pierpont Morgan. ht. 58in., wd. 52in., dp. 15in.

American Wood, Brass and Fabric Model of the Corsair 20th century, the Corsair was an American steam yacht owned by J. P. Morgan and constructed at the Bath Iron Works, this carefully detailed model w

1930-1950s Wooden Model Plane Kits in the Box. Four kits Joe Ott Mustang, Cleveland P61, Sterling Corsair F4U1, and Cleveland Super Condor.

(lot of 9 cars) Lesney; Dodge Wreck truck No. 13; Foden concrete truck new model No. 21; eight wheel crane No. 30; Ford Zodiac MK IV No. 53; Taxi Cab No. 20; Ford Corsair No. 45; Mack dump truck new s

Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988)Model JP - Akari seriesSuspensionPapier WashiEdited by Ozeki & Co, Ltd.'Moon and Sun' ideogramModel created in the first half of the 1960sH 223 × L 25 × W 25 cm

Chinese Export 'LingLung' teapot-ex. JP Morgan, c. 1750, China, famille rose polychrome enameled porcelain, the hexagonal body decorated with rectangular panel on each side comprising floral branches

Set of 8 Minton fine English porcelain oyster plates having 'blue celeste' and raised gilt enamel decoration, 7 with "JPM" monogram, one with "M" cipher monogram, descending in the family of J. P. Mor

Heavy1-piece ivory moire silk faille elaborately embroidered in a polychrome silk and metallic gold satin stitch floral and gold tinsel, puffed elbow length sleeve with a ring of pearl beads over chif

Heading: Author: Montblanc Patron of Art Title: J. P. Morgan Limited Edition 4810 Fountain Pen Place Published: Publisher: Date Published: Description: Tribute to James P

Scarborough & Tweed J.P. Morgan navy blue cotton duffel bag. Measures approx. 20.5 x 11 x 11 inches. In good condition. Some surface wear consistent with exposure. Duffel bag, designer duffel bag, Sca

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Five things cameron’s movie titanic got wrong, cruise and social history: j. p. morgan’s most beautiful cruise-ship ever to sail… the s.s. corsair… a style we will never see again….

Posted by: Michael Grace May 16, 2013

J. Pierpont Morgan Jr. could never have imagined his yacht Corsair IV being converted into a deluxe cruise ship whose short career would end in tragedy but it happened on a sailing from California to Acapulco in 1949.

J.P. Morgan Jr. and his legendary business tycoon father, J. Pierpont Morgan, made cruise history, owning four magnificent yachts christened Corsair, and built three of them.

Each yacht was bigger, faster, and more comfortable than the preceding one.

The Morgan Corsair created major media attention for the times resulting in a legendary quote by the senior Morgan when he was asked how much it cost to operate a boat that size. His quick response: “Sir, if you have to ask that question, you can’t afford it.”

Corsair IV was constructed in Maine at the beginning of the Great Depression for $2.5 million (or about $60 million in today’s currency). Measuring 2,142 gross tons, with a registered length of 300 feet and overall length of 343 feet, the Corsair IV was the largest yacht ever built in the U.S. Designed in the traditional piratical look of Morgan yachts, CorsairIV was long, dark, heavy underneath – paler and suaver in the superstructure.

The Corsair launching in 1930.

When it was ready for launching in 1930, Morgan brought three private railway cars of family and friends up to the Maine shipyards for the occasion.

Morgan used her for ten years, mostly on the East Coast, in the West Indies and for trans-Atlantic record-breaking crossings. After an eventful career with Morgan, the Corsair IV was turned over to British Admiralty in 1940.

Following World War II, rich Americans had money to spend on cruises but choices were limited. Half the commercial passenger vessels had been sunk and the surviving liners demanded extensive refurbishing. It would be several years before many refurbished ships would be back in service or any new ships built.

This was especially true in California and on the West Coast. American Presidents Lines took three years to re-establish liner service to the Orient and it wasn’t until 1948 when Matson Line’s famous Lurline sailed again to Hawaii.

The magnificent pre-war Canadian Pacific and Japanese liners that once plied the Pacific had been brutally sunk in seagoing battles.

Life Magazine featured the new Corsair. It was probably the most deluxe cruise ship operating after World War II.

Realizing there was an untapped post-War luxury cruise market, the Skinner and Eddy Corporation, owners of the Alaska Steamship Company, created Pacific Cruise Lines in 1946.

The newly formed subsidiary immediately went looking for a ship and was lucky enough to quickly spot its prize, Corsair IV.

The former Morgan yacht was bought from undisclosed buyers and placed under Panamanian registry.

The Corsair (the IV was dropped) was taken to Todd Shipyards in New York for repair and overhaul, and then sailed to the Victoria Machinery Depot in Victoria, Canada, for conversion to a luxury cruise vessel.

The ultra-deluxe public rooms and staterooms aboard the Corsair.

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 to South America from New York – Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay –a much more contemporary look. He provided the same meticulous detail to designing the modern accommodations for the new elegant Corsair. This was not just a paint job but also a total conversion for the former Morgan yacht to create elegant surroundings for the line’s future passengers.

The goal of Pacific Cruise Lines was to offer to the traveling public the world’s most luxurious cruise ship. The many letters received from the cruise passengers during the first year of service attested to that accomplishment.

The Pacific Cruise Line’s S.S. Corsair, ready to sail from Long Beach, California in 1948.

Accommodating only 82 passengers, all rooms were much larger and more commodious than as expected on shipboard at that time. No expense was spared in furnishing decorating each room with the very finest of materials and workmanship available. There were no berths on the Corsair and all staterooms featured beds. Each room had its own private bath.

There were a total of 42 rooms on the ship and the steward’s department personnel alone numbered more than forty. Each was responsible for the sole purpose of catering to the slightest desire of the carriage trade passengers. All public rooms, including the main lounge, forward observation lounge, cocktail lounge, etc., were completely carpeted and air-conditioned. This was also true of all bedrooms, sitting rooms and suites. Top European chiefs were hired to create haute cuisine. A total of 76 crewmembers and officers were aboard the new cruise ship, making the passenger to crew ratio almost one to one, equaling or surpassing the most high end cruise ships operating today.

The new Corsair made her debut on September 29, 1947 offering two-week cruises from Long Beach, California, to Acapulco, Mexico. The standard price per person rate averaged $600. Hardly a bargain since the ship’s cruise fare equaled more than a quarter of the 1947 typical U.S. family income.

The new cruise line placed attractive full-page ads for cruising on the new stylish first class Corsair in Holiday magazine. Demand for passage was heavy and the wait lists lengthy. During the summers of 1948, the Corsair was switched to Alaska. Sailing out of Vancouver, British Columbia, she provided the first deluxe two-week cruises ever offered to the Inside Passage. Another first for the Corsair Alaska cruises was a special chartered train transporting passengers from Whittier to famed McKinley National Park.

A series of cruises to Mexico, Havana via the Panama Canal and the Gulf of California were scheduled and completed in the spring of 1949. The cruise ship returned to Alaska for summer sailings and was to be followed by a season of cruises to Mexico from Long Beach beginning in October. Then tragedy struck on November 12, 1949.

The Corsair, during one of her autumn Mexican Riviera cruises, struck a rock and beached at Acapulco. Her crew and 55 passengers were put ashore in lifeboats.

There was no loss of life. Examined by her owners, the former Morgan yacht was determined to be a total constructive loss, and abandoned to Davy Jones’ locker.

Even during this age of mega-liners, no other ships will ever equal the elegance, exclusivity and style of the former Morgan yacht.

The Corsair’s legacy lives on only for divers willing to explore the remains of the vessel deep in the warm seas off Acapulco.

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