History

Classic superyacht Shenandoah was born in one of the 20th Century’s most glamorous eras. She has welcomed on board the world’s most powerful families, international royalty and her fair share of smugglers and gamblers. She has raced across oceans and circumnavigated the globe many times.

She has, in a word, lived. And she has been loved. Not just for her renowned elegance but for her supreme handling on the water. That is why Shenandoah is one of the finest yachts sailing today.

Built in 1902 at the Townsend & Downey Shipyard near Staten Island, New York – the work of celebrated maritime designer Theodore Ferris, she became one of Ferris’s crowning achievements and the only one of his designs still sailing today.

The 180 ft three-masted gaff rigged schooner is indeed a tribute to the ‘Golden Age of Yachting’, when grace and elegance were as important as how she sailed. Ferris was inspired by a similar yacht being built in the docks at the time, Meteor III, a phenomenally fast ship belonging to the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, Kaiser Wilhelm II. Born together, they became virtual sister ships.

The highly respected McMullen & Wing won the contract to bring Shenandoah back to vibrant life. Many thousands of hours later the yard’s craftsmanship and the owner’s commitment were rewarded as Shenandoah returned to the water, her hull and acres of varnished teak gleaming, her name emblazoned across the transom highlighted in gold.

Accommodation

Beautiful African Paddock redwood panelling and exquisite mouldings and details add a stately feeling to the main salon and cabins. All the rooms below decks benefited from a great degree of natural light from overhead skylights. In addition to the dining area below decks, an intimate detachable deck cockpit was designed by Martin Francis to allow Shenandoah to show the clean lines of an all-time classic. The massive restoration effort was recognised with the 1996 Showboats International Best Classic Yacht Restoration award.

For several years this classic superyacht’s current owner has lovingly lavished attention on every minor detail, from the brass handles on the antique dressing table, to the art deco light fittings. Further to the interior she has benefited from a thorough refit of Shenandoah’s mechanics and rig in 2008/09 maintaining the flawless standards that she deserves.

The living quarters are now precisely how Shenandoah’s original owner wanted them to be when class, taste and the fineries of life ruled the waves. When unparalleled luxury meant something. The deck now offers three points of access to the interior and the accommodations now are probably more luxurious than they ever were.

Shenandoah was and remains one of the finest yachts of her time. If you are interested in the excitement of racing or cruising the French Riviera in timeless style you will be hard pushed to find a finer yacht.