Rare Pair of the Consolidated Yacht Acania

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Superb pair nautical blueprints of the 126-foot motor yacht ACANIA. From naval architect John H. Wells, 11 East 44th Street, … Read more Superb pair nautical blueprints of the 126-foot motor yacht ACANIA. From naval architect John H. Wells, 11 East 44th Street, New York. Dated July 25, 1928. The legends at lower right corner show dimensions of 126-feet length, 21-foot six inches in width, and 8-feet draft.

There are two blueprints in the rare offering. The profile blueprint shows rows of portholes, railings, launch on davits, flag staffs, mast, lanterns, search light, horn, etc.
The deck plan shows three levels. The main deck shows the dining saloon, living room, smoking room, pantry, etc. Below deck are multiple state rooms, bathrooms, dressing rooms, crew’s quarters, etc. The top deck has three launches on davits, stack, vents, pilot house, captain’s cabin, etc. This was an extraordinary yacht of her day.

To find a pair of blueprints in this condition is quite unusual. This was a mega yacht of the day. See history below.

Arthur E Wheeler was a prominent Wall Street banker,who despite the Wall Street crash of 1929, had two Acanias built. Acania I was constructed in 1929 by Pusey & Jones in WilmingtonDelaware and this Acania was built in 1930. We have concluded from the short period of ownership of Acania I that Acania II may have been indeed built for the rumored silent owner, Al Capone. The rumor has persistently followed Acania II thought out her history and along with the secret bar the many hidden and disguised lockers and the unusual coating on the water tank with out of place piping masquerading as tank vents and fill pipes give good reason maybe not to doubt the silent ownership.

From 1934 until 1947, she was owned by Charles R. Walgreen of the Walgreen pharmacy family. During the Walgreen ownership, Acania was commissioned by the USA Navy for WW II and used as a experimental submarine echo finder. She was also reportedly used on several occasions by President Roosevelt for war meetings.

In 1947, under the new owner Clifford Mooers, Acania left the USA bound for Canada, where she stayed until her return to the USA in 1957. She was not re-registered by the USCG until 1987. Little is known of her ownership between these dates. From 1988 until 1991, she was used by various charter companies on the east coast.

In 1995, Mr. Miles Davis purchased Acania in Miami from a scrap yard. Needless to say, without Mr. Davis, Acania might have been gone forever--a lost piece of maritime history. Star Fjord, as she was named during Miles Davis’ ownership, spent her previous 13 years here in the Bay Area in San Francisco, the delta, Oakland and Richmond.

It was through a chance meeting with Miles Davis that Acania’s current owner was able to purchase her for a long awaited restoration.

Weight: 11 LBS ‘EA’
Overall Dimensions: 26” H x 43” L ‘EA’
Made: America
Material: Paper
Date: 1928 See less