Cangarda facts for kids

The Cangarda in July 2017 at Belfast, Maine (inset: the Cangarda name on the stack)
Quick facts for kids History
United States
Name	Cangarda
Builder	Pusey and Jones, Wilmington, Delaware
Laid down	2/1901
Launched	4/1901
Completed	6/1901
Acquired	6/1901
In service	6/1901
Out of service	1946
Fate	Stripped hull submerged in shallow water for 18 months
Status	Restored as a private yacht and museum
General characteristics
Length	126 ft (38 m)
Beam	17 ft 8 in (5.38 m)
Height	62 ft (19 m) or 21'
Draft	7 ft (2.1 m)-6"."
Propulsion	Sullivan 14x9x21x14 Steam
Sail plan	Light schooner rig
Speed	12 knots

The Cangarda is a super cool luxury steam yacht that's about 126-foot (38 m) long. It was built way back in 1901 in Wilmington, Delaware. What makes it special? It's the only steel steam yacht built in the U.S. that's still around! There are only two others like it in the whole world.

This yacht traveled a lot, sailing on oceans, rivers, and even the Great Lakes. It was even used as a houseboat for a while. By 1999, the Cangarda was in really bad shape and sank in Boston Harbor. But don't worry, its story didn't end there! From 2004, it was fully restored and updated in Richmond, California. By 2009, it was sailing again as a private yacht.

The Cangarda's Amazing Journey: A History of the Yacht

The Cangarda got its name from its first owners, Charles Canfield and his wife, Belle Gardner. Charles was a rich lumber businessman from Michigan.

New Name, New Owner: The Magedoma Era

In 1904, a wealthy Canadian businessman and politician named George Taylor Fulford bought the yacht. He renamed it Magedoma. This new name was a mix of letters from his wife's and children's names: Mary, George, Dorothy, and Martha. The boat was kept at Fulford Place, a huge mansion on the St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ontario, Canada.

Royal Guests and Wartime Service

After George Fulford passed away in 1905, his family kept the yacht. In 1927, Fulford's widow had some very important guests on board. These included the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII), his brother Prince George, and the prime ministers of Britain and Canada.

During World War II, the Fulford family loaned the yacht to the Royal Canadian Navy. It was used to train sailors. After the war, the boat was returned to the family, but it was in poor condition.

Saving the Cangarda: From Disrepair to Restoration

The yacht was later sold to Frederic Burtis Smith. He lived on the boat for many years in Rochester, New York. He tried his best to keep the old yacht from falling apart. Thanks to him, the Cangarda survived until people became more interested in old boats. However, the yacht slowly became more and more damaged.

In the early 1980s, someone tried to restore it. The ship was taken apart in Boston, and people tried to rebuild its hull. But the project didn't work out, and in 1999, the empty hull sank in Boston Harbor. Luckily, the inside parts and machinery were saved for a future restoration.

The Cangarda's Grand Comeback: Modern Restoration

In 2004, a company called Rutherford's Boatshop in Richmond, California, started a complete restoration of the Cangarda. This big project was paid for by Bob McNeil, the yacht's owner.

Modern Technology Meets Classic Design

The Cangarda's original hull and keel needed to be rebuilt. Workers used laser mapping and computer models to make sure everything was perfect. The new hull was welded and given modern features like trim and stabilizer tabs. They also added new generators and other technology to make the ship easier to operate.

Bringing Back the Heart of the Yacht

The yacht's original main engine, which was a special steam engine, was repaired. Six other smaller steam engines that powered other parts of the boat were also fixed. Even the anchor windlass (the machine that pulls up the anchor) was reconditioned. All the pipes were replaced with new ones.

The old coal-fired boiler from 1911 was replaced with a new, modern boiler that uses oil. The original condenser, which helps the steam engine work, was also repaired and reused. Both of the yacht's masts are new, and so are the decks. Inside, as much of the original Cuban mahogany wood as possible was put back. The amazing restoration was finished in 2009.

Visiting the Cangarda Today

The Cangarda made a special trip back to Brockville, Ontario, in June 2011. People could take tours of the yacht, and all the money raised went to a group that helps restore Fulford Place, the historic mansion where the yacht used to be docked.

At Fulford Place, you can see many models and old items from the Cangarda. This includes the yacht's original china dishes! Even though the owner and restorers tried to get the china back on the ship, it's still at Fulford Place. So, new "reproduction" china is used on the yacht now.

Images for kids

• CANGARDA at Belfast, ME July, 2017.jpg

  The Cangarda in July 2017 at Belfast, Maine (inset: the Cangarda name on the stack)