The 34.1-metre classic yacht Maemere, formerly known as High Spirits, is undergoing a painstaking keel-up restoration at McMillen Yachts in Rhode Island, breathing new life into one of America’s most iconic wooden yachts. Originally built in 1929 by the Mathis Yacht Building Company and designed by John Trumpy, Maemere narrowly escaped demolition in California in 2022 and is now being reborn as a testament to historic preservation and craftsmanship.
From Near-Scrap to Revival
Maemere’s revival story is nothing short of extraordinary. Once operating as a harbour cruise vessel, the yacht was scheduled to be scrapped when Earl McMillen III, president of McMillen Yachts, stepped in. Upon learning of her fate, McMillen secured a one-week reprieve, assembled a team in Newport, and orchestrated a complex transport operation that ultimately saw the yacht delivered across the country to Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
To prepare her for shipping, emergency repairs were made to patch the gaping holes ripped into her hull in anticipation of the scrapping. The yacht had to be floated under her own power to Mexico, where she was loaded onto a ship and transported to the East Coast. In a remarkable twist of fate, she was offloaded near Camden, New Jersey—just offshore from where she was originally built nearly a century ago.
A Restoration Rooted in Respect for Heritage
Leading the design efforts is Newport-based firm Langan Design. “The rebuild really accelerated last year,” said Thomas Degrémont, partner at the studio. “The most recent time I saw her, she had been manipulated to get as close as possible to her original lines.”
Despite significant decay caused by iron rot, the project is committed to preserving as much of Maemere’s original soul as possible. The yacht is receiving a new keel, floors, frames, planking, decking, and steel structure, with the original hardware and reinforced steel bulkheads being retained wherever feasible.
The interiors, recently stripped for overhaul, will honor the past while being adapted for modern use. “The new owner is keen on keeping some of the original features, like the cast iron tubs and mouldings,” Degrémont added.
Restoring a Legacy
While a completion date remains uncertain, McMillen Yachts and Langan Design are taking a “done right, not rushed” approach. New systems will include gyroscopic stabilisation for comfort at sea, alongside updated structural engineering to meet today’s standards.
The yacht also carries traces of her storied past, from a Joe Selby painting still onboard to a cigar humidor once owned by a former crewmember. Among her most cherished heirlooms are silver julep cups donated by the granddaughter of the original owner, DeWitt Page.
Symbol of a Bygone Era
At the time of her launch, Maemere was one of the largest private yachts afloat in the United States. Her revival not only safeguards a rare piece of maritime history but also celebrates the golden age of American yacht design—when craftsmanship and elegance ruled the waves.
With 93 years behind her and a bold future ahead, Maemere is a powerful reminder that even the most forgotten vessels can sail again—if given the chance.
