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Trumpy, 1919
The Historic 1919 Trumpy, The Grand Lady, originally Riette II (hull#102) is one of the oldest Trumpy yachts "alive" and there are only around 60 believed to be left.
She currently floats in Satsuma, FL with with the aid of a plastic bladder. This wonderful old boat is in critical need of reconstruction with her most obvious need being a new hull.
Friends of Grand Lady are working together to restore a historic vessel so that the craft may find a permanent home with an organization to be used for educational and historical purposes. Our goal is to have a grand celebration for the relaunch of this vessel on her 100th birthday!
The vessel, Grand Lady, is a 1919 Trumpy that was designed by Americas highly respected boat builder, John Trumpy Sr, and built in Camden, NJ by the Mathis Yacht Building Co. This antique craft is one of Americas great historic treasures - Grand Lady was one of the very first vessels built for navigation of the highly anticipated Intracoastal Waterway and was launched, in 1919, the same year the Intracoastal waterway was authorized by the United States congress.
A total of 450 Trumpys were built and Trumpy eventually earned the long standing reputation of building Americas finest vessels. Today, it is estimated that there are less than 60 of these gems left. Grand Lady is one of the very oldest of these surviving Trumpys and she is one of only two of the small Trumpys that are in existence today.
Currently Grand Lady is being considered by the National Maritime Historical Society (NMHS) for their support and endorsement. If NMHS becomes involved in this cause they would work diligently to bring attention to the public eye in order to assist in raising funds for this historic boat's preservation.
The National Maritime Historical Society's mission is to preserve and perpetuate the maritime history of the United States. They are a proven leader in gaining national attention for the preservation of the rapidly dwindling number of historic ships and their involvement in Grand Lady would help secure her future as an American treasure.
Please show your support in this cause and let NMHS know that you care. Sign this friendly proactive petition now:
Please see this petition site for the Natioanal Maritime Historical Society
The Grand Lady was originally 52 feet but in the 1950's she was cut back to 46.7 feet due to boats over 50' being seized in the US. As far as I know, the rest of her layout has not been changed. Her weight, I believe, is approximately 38 tons.
This old vessel has been sitting in a covered slip in Satsuma for over nine years but in January she was moved to an outside wet dock location. About four years ago she survived two hurricanes that sank her as she sat at her dock along the St. John River. Although her Graymarine 6-71 may still run I believe that she would need a new powerplant. Much of furnishings and small hardware are missing but most of the large hardware is present including the davits, searchlight, deck hardware, helm, compass and the pilot house bits and pieces.
This historic Trumpy is FREE - but she must be rebuilt.
The Grand Lady's owner just passed away last summer and I have only have till April 20th to find her a new home. I am asking you for help because I have limited contacts and knowledge of boats. This historic Trumpy needs the support of the maritime community NOW, so if you can help out in ANY way (sharing ideas, brainstorming, fund-raising, referring me to resources/people, forwarding this message or acquiring this boat to rebuild) I would love your support.
She is not a sail boat but her historical value is significant. The maritime community has really stepped up in helping but efforts to save her can not cease due to the fact that she has less than two months left. I've received help from the Trumpy company, Wooden Boat Magazine, Professional Boat Builder Magazine, Moores Marine, Bone Yard Boats and many other organizations as well as individuals who all hope that she can be saved. The letters of support that I have received are completely overwhelming and amazing. Still, she has yet to find her rightful home.
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