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All images courtesy of McMillen Yachts

34m classic yacht Maemere rescued from scheduled demolition

27 June 2022 • Written by Katia Damborsky

A 34 metre classic yacht named Maemere has arrived for a comprehensive restoration at McMillen Yachts in Rhode Island after narrowly avoiding a scheduled demolition in California. 

The vessel, which was operating as a harbour cruise ship under the name High Spirits, was saved by the president of McMillen Yachts, Earl McMillen III. McMillen was able to introduce a new party that was interested in saving the vessel and was integral in arranging the transfer of the boat from California to Rhode Island. 

The vessel was formerly known as High Spirits

McMillen Yachts will now helm a full-scale restoration from the keel up with a view to meticulously maintain her classic charm. Originally launched in 1929, the boat was designed by John Trumpy and built by Mathis Yacht Building Company.

Earl McMillen III and the team were heavily involved in the transport of the vessel to the McMillen facilities in Portsmouth. “The yard had already cut large holes in the side of the hull and had removed the engines and machinery, in anticipation of cutting her up,” he explained.

Holes had been ripped into her hull in anticipation of the scrapping

“We had to repair the holes and replace the planking that had been removed so that we could re-float her. She remained at a local San Diego marina until a ship was available to bring her to the east coast.” Due to local laws, the vessel had to be towed on her own bottom to Mexico where she was then loaded onto a ship bound for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“Coincidently, she was offloaded in the river just offshore from where she was originally built in Camden, New Jersey 93 years ago, in 1929,” added McMillen.

Maemere undertook a long and laborious journey between California and Rhode Island

The vessel was due to be scrapped just days before McMillen heard of her fate. “I received a call from a yacht broker on Tuesday asking whether I was aware that [the vessel]  was scheduled to be cut up on Friday,” he said.

“I contacted the owners and asked for more time. The boat yard was only willing to give us one more week," he continued. "We were able to send a team out from Newport and bring a barge in to take the boat away by the following Saturday."

The vessel travelled to Mexico on her own bottom to be loaded onto a ship

Maemere has a rich history behind her, with onboard relics including a Joe Selby painting and a cigar humidor that was once owned by one of the boat’s former crew. She also features silver julep cups which were gifted by the granddaughter of the original owner, DeWitt Page.

At the time of her launch, Maemere was one of the largest private vessels afloat
Maemere meets the former Presidential yacht Sequoia

McMillen is no stranger to restorations of this size and scale, having completed the restoration of Maemere’s sistership, Freedom. The restoration took place between 2004 and 2004 and cost around seven million dollars.

Maemere meets sistership Freedom in Rhode Island

Once the restoration is complete, Maemere will be operated as a private yacht.

More about this yacht

Trumpy   34.14 m •  1929

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