valiant yacht vanderbilt

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Vanderbilt's Yacht VALIANT of 1893

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W.K. Vanderbilt´s steam yacht Valiant (ab. 1893)

S.s. valiant - the largest and most luxurious private yacht in the world in 1893. she was completed in august the same year at the laird brothers birkenhead (england) yard foramerican railway magnate william kissam vanderbilt. the 332 ft (l.o.a.) yacht "was fitted out to the very highest standard possible, superbly finished by the top artists and skilledcraftsmen of the day, using the finest materials available." valiant´s two triple expansion steam engines developing 4500 hp gave the yacht a service speed of 17.5 knots. she carried a crew of 62 - 32 in the engine room, 20 sailors and 10 cooks/stewards.   "in 1915 she was commandeered by the royal navyin 1919 she was released again from naval service in 1927 she was acquired by manuelides navigation company and renamed ira m in 1933 she was acquired by hellenic coast lines of greece and renamed hellas during the bombardmment of piraeus on 23rd april 1941 she was destroyed by enemy bombers." (clyde maritime forums.co.uk)   my restoration and colorization of john s. johnston´s ab. 1893 image in the library of congress archive, detroit publishing co. collection..

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Yachting’s Dozen: Alva

• By The Editors
• Updated: October 4, 2011

Type : 264-foot motoryacht Builder : Cox & Stevens Year : 1931 Original owner : W.K. Vanderbilt II

Why this yacht matters : Alva was a favored name for yachts in the Vanderbilt family. The first Alva was a 285-foot three-masted steamer named for William K. Vanderbilt’s wife. The second, commissioned and named after his mother by William K. Vanderbilt II, and built by the Kiel yard in Germany, was designed by Cox & Stevens. This Alva was outfitted with a complete gymnasium and a $60,000 seaplane. Her stateroom overheads were nine feet high, and the main living room’s overhead was 15 feet high. Alva may have been the original, over-the-top superyacht but she nonetheless was put into service during WWII and became the USS Plymouth. She was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1943 off Cape Henry, Virginia, and sank.

From the pages of Yachting : An unusual vessel in many ways, Alva_ is 264 feet long. A pair of eight-cylinder diesels drive her at a 16-knot pace. The rooms in her quarters are large, well-proportioned and tastefully decorated. She left New York recently on a 30,000-mile world cruise_. — the Editors, August 1931

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• Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) View title info
• Sat 24 Jun 1893 Prev issue Next issue Browse issues
• Page 39 Prev page Next page Browse pages
• A Millionaire's Yacht. Prev article Next article Browse articles

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• Abstract Mr. W. E. Vanderbilt's new steam yacht Valiant was lannohed on May 3 from the yard of Messrs. Laird Brothers, of Birkenhead. The Valiant is said to be the largest private steam yacht in the world.
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Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919), Sat 24 Jun 1893, Page 39 - A Millionaire's Yacht.

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Vanderbilt Cup Races

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One of yachting’s dozen: william k. vanderbilt jr.‘s alva.

In 2011, the editors of Yachting magazine selected 12 "yachts that we love " including Willie K's yacht which he used for expeditions from 1931 to 1935.  "Alva may have been the original, over-the-top superyacht but she nonetheless was put into service during WWII and became the USS Plymouth."

Howard Kroplick

The 264-foot motoryacht was built by Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel, Germany on a design by Cox & Stephens. Top speed was 16 knots.

This luxurious yacht was named Alva, after Willie K.'s mother, Alva Vanderbilt Belmont. It was powered by two diesel engines with an auxiliary eletric motor.

The main living room's overhead was 15 feet high, while the stateroom overheads were 9 feet high.

1931 Cruise

William k. vanderbilt ii (jr.), his wife rosamund, his friends mr. and mrs. earle smith and crew set on a world cruise in 1931 aboard the alva. they departed long island and traveled through the panama canal to the galapagos islands, the society islands, samoa, australia, java, bora bora, bali, singapore, ceylon, arabia, through the suez canal to cairo, athens and monte carlo and westward across the atlantic to america. the cruise was documented in a seventy-minute film “over the seas” which opened in december 1932 in new york city. it is the only known record of willie k.'s voice., part 1 part 2.

Vanderbilts meeting natives of the Great Palm Island off Australia.

Boston yards.

Transporting a Douglas Dolphin I Special Airplane.

Commissioned as USS Plymouth (PG-57)-1942

Less than one month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. gave the Alva to the U.S. Navy.

It was placed into commission and converted into a patrol gunboat (PG) in January 1942 at the Nortfolk Navy Yard. It was commisssioned as U.S.S.  Plymouth (PG-57) in April 20, 1942. On August 5, 1943, the ship was torpedoed by  German Submarine U-566 of Cap Henry, Virginia. The USS Plymouth sank within two minutes with 85 of the crew of 155 surviving.

• William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
• william k. vanderbilt jr.'s boats and yachts.
• fisher island
• douglas dolphin
• alva vanderbilt belmont

From Peter Warburton

“Rose was my Grandmother, this is the first and only time I have ever heard her voice.

This is very cool, i have only a copy of one of the books of the voyage. Thanks for this. I d like to get a copy of the entire film. Cheers, PW”

Absolutely wonderful.  Ironic that she was both built and destroyed by Germany.

From Bruce Adams:

The U-566 that sunk ALVA was built in the same Krupp Shipyard in Germany

Another home run Howard ......Love it ....Thanks…

*The Alva named after William’s first wife, Alva Belmont, not his mother, who was named Maria Louisa. ____________________________________ From Howard Kroplick

Mame, Alva Vanderbilt Belmont was William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s mother and the first wife of William K. Vanderbilt.

All very interesting, never know when something is going to come up in regards to history, when it comes to the Vanderbilt family do you? Thanks

My father served on the USS Plymouth during its Navy lifetime.  Vanderbilt II gave Alva II for the usual $1. She did several convoy runs from NYC to Key West and Gitmo.  Bit of a checkered career. Ran into a coast guard ship at one point. Had a new young commander who got Navy Cross & lost his left leg in U-566 attack using last torp of its duty.  Supposedly Alva II was quite popular when docked in East River. Reading this & seeing images it’s no surprise why!  Quite the vessel.  Dad was killed and I came out 8 months later so some good from it all.  Always be prepared. __________________________________________________________________________ From Howard Kroplick

Thank you for your father’s service!

My great uncle Alonzo Bolick served and died on the Plymouth. ______________________________________________ From Howard Kroplick

Jeramy, thank you for your family’s service to our country.

My dad was on the Plymouth, talked about this ship and men.Passed away 2014. _____________________________________________

From Howard Kroplick:

Condolences to your family. Thank you for your his service!

My grandfather Redington R Robbins Sr was first mate to Vanderbilt on both the Ara and Alva around the world trips. _______________________________________________ Howard Kroplick:

My father, Frence (Francis) Kellerman was the doctor on Alva in the late thirties. He joined at Kiel in Germany and after sometime with WK he settled in the UK before the Second World War. ____________________________________________________________

The book “McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft since 1920, Vol. 1,” by Rene Francillon states that two Douglas Dolphin Amphibions Model 119 were purchased by Alfred Vanderbilt II and Wm. K. Vanderbilt II, and operated from the ALVA. I don’t have the book, but that explains the Dolphin in the photo. Some tender!

My Dad Morris A Poehler was a electrical engineer on the Alva, he was on the world cruise. Dad was involved in working at the Vanderbilt mansion. He courted my mom on the Alva, I had the pic of this.

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W.K. Vanderbilt Here on the Valiant.

The steam yacht Valiant arrived at Quarantine at 9 o'clock last night from Havre, making the passage in nine days and one hour. On board were W.K. Vanderbilt, Col. and Mrs. J.J. Astor, and W. S. Hoyt. All are in good health. The Valiant was boarded by the Health Officer on her arrival. View Full Article in Timesmachine »

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CONSTRUCTION:

• Gelcoat Isophthalic gelcoat used exclusively on all large and small fiberglass parts
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• Bulkheads Bonded with fiberglass to hull and deck with tie plates to floor structures.
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• Floor Timbers / Engine Beds Fiberglass laminated over high-density structural foam, sealed and finished with isophthalic gelcoat.
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• Engine Controls Single lever side-mount for shifter and throttle at pedestal.
• Engine Mounts Flexible shock-absorbing, bolted to aluminum engine rails that are through-bolted to high-density glassed in engine beds
• Seacocks Bronze / stainless ball valves on all through hulls below waterline, with easy access for operating.
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• Propeller Shaft Nautilloy™ 1-1/4 stainless steel.
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• Fuel Filter / Water Separator
• Strainer – 1 1/2, Seawater intake, bronze.
• Engine Exhaust Aqua lift with Valiant Custom anti-siphon system
• Fuel Tanks Marine alloy with clean-out, deck fills and vents, and tanks are removable
• il Change Pump In engine room for Westerbeke engine.
• Remote Oil Filter In engine room for Westerbeke engine.
• AC / DC Distribution Valiant Custom electrical panel with DC volt meter, amp meter, AC volt meter, reverse polarity indicator, DC breaker with 28 positions available and AC breaker with 12 positions available. Interior
• Lights Chart table light (high/low red or white), reading lights in bunk areas, reading lights in main salon aft port and starboard, dome lights in head, shower and bunk areas. High/low dome light main salon port and starboard, lighting above sink and icebox countertop, engine room light, locker lights with door switches, companionway entrance light with switch, courtesy lights under main salon and galley toe recesses
• Navigation Lights To COLREGS  bow and stern lights on pulpits. Anchor light and combination steaming and foredeck light on mast. Tri-color strobe ligh At masthead. Batteries Two bank system, four gel cell batteries on house bank, one gel cell on starter bank in fiberglass battery bases with offshore hold-down system for each bank.
• Battery Charger 110 volt automatic, 40+ amp with temperature sensor.
• Alternator – 100 amp.
• Wiring  Tinned copper and meets ABYC specifications
• Freshwater Tanks Marine Stainless Located under settees port and starboard with clean-outs, deck fills and vents. Custom built and removable.
• Head  Manually-operated with Y-valve for selection to holding tank or overboard offshore discharge. Holding tank has deck fitting for pump out and manual pump out for overboard offshore discharge. Holding tank is marine alloy and removable.
• Deck Washdown Deck fitting for hose forward on deck in bulwarks with 12 volt pressure switch pump and thru hull located forward in interior below furniture.
• Foot Pump Freshwater in galley.
• Bulkheads Solid joiner trim finished with hand-rubbed oil finish.
• Trim Sea rails and fiddles on all horizontal surfaces, laminated trim pieces on all arch door frames and cap bulkheads.
• Cabin Sole Finish Satin Varathane three coats.
• Cabin Sides Handrails on cabin truck sides, with Formica sideliner.
• Twist Latches Flush-mounted on all opening locker doors and drawers.
• Dining Table  Walk-around drop-leaf table with Formica top leaves and center storage, with fiddles.
• Pantry Locker  Four locking sliding track shelves.
• Chain Locker Interior access with divider and drains to bilge.
• Cushions Valiant Custom interior upholstery with high-quality foam cushions.
• Nav Station Large chart table area with spacious electronics area.
• Wet Locker Vented with drain.
• Stove Gimbaled three-burner, stainless steel propane with oven and LPG safety control panel.
• Flash Guard Stainless steel mounted above stove.
• Stove Crash Bar Sturdy rings for offshore galley strap.
• Hull Sideliner Horizontal ash ceiling battens screwed and plugged with varathane satin finish.
• Cabin Sole – Planked and plugged 1/2-inch solid teak with inlaid basswood strips, sanded and sealed. Sole lift outs have mechanical locking devices.
• Non-Skid Valiant Custom system, two-tone on deck, cockpit and cabin top.
• Hatches Six Lewmar Ocean Series offshore with custom hatch bosses.
• Portlights Hood stainless steel opening ports with screens.
• Mooring Cleats Six 12-inch stainless steel.
• Genoa Turning Blocks Two double sheave.
• Primary Winches  Two Lewmar 58CST Ocean Series.
• Staysail Winches Two Lewmar 40CST Ocean Series.
• Halyard Winch One Lewmar 40CST Ocean Series.
• Group 27 engine starting battery
• Custom backlit electrical panel with AC/DC amperage and voltage display, battery monitor,
• Link 10 house battery monitor
• Electrical panel hinged for easy access
• 12V utility plugs at chart table, helm, forward locker
• Copper ground strap glassed to hull at waterline for SSB ground plane
• Wiring led clear of bilge where possible

  SPAR/RIGGING

• Mast Valiant Custom aluminum extrusion with white polyurethane finishing, tapered upper section, double spreader, through-bolted tangs, fabricated/welded cranehead, internal halyards, conduit for mast wiring, spinnaker bails, extra halyard sheaves.
• Boom Valiant Custom fabricated aluminum with white polyurethane finish, internal outhaul, internal topping lift, bails for main sheet blocks, swivel gooseneck fitting.
• Spar Fly  Windex 15.
• Standing Rigging 12 rod for uppers, forward and aft lowers, headstay and backstay, 10 rod intermediate upper, 1/4-inch 1×19 wire for forestay. Fittings are Navtec marine turnbuckles.
• Mast and Boom Tangs, deck pad eyes are installed for preventor and runners (running rigging for preventor system and mast runner are optional).
• Running Rigging 1/2 XLS main and jib halyards, 7/16 XLS staysail halyard, 3/8 XLS traveler control lines, 7/16 XLS with vinyl cable for boom topping lift.
• Sheets  Genoa 5/8 Intrepid, staysail 1/2 Intrepid, main 1/2 XLS.

Prices, specifications, materials and equipment are subject to change without notice.

Below decks, Valiant offers semi-custom interior design incorporating only the finest quality materials and craftsmanship. Unsurpassed joinery work combined with select primary woods such as cherry or teak accented with ash and poplar in designated areas insure your home away from home will always provide the style and comfort you expect. More importantly, our interiors are built like the exteriors, strong! All furniture, whether horizontal or vertical is fiberglass bonded to the hull and deck, insuring maximum strength. And since our yachts are semi-custom, interior layouts are virtually unlimited. Each new owner can personalize their yacht to their requirements.

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