I tour a yacht over 100 years old ! SS Delphine

Launched on 2 April 1921, SS Delphine was built by Great Lakes Engineering Works at River Rouge, Michigan, for automotive industrialist Horace Dodge. She is an individual commission, not a production model. Gielow & Orr designed her exterior and contributed naval architecture, with Antoine Wille also credited for naval architecture. Tiffany’s of New York supplied the original interior design, establishing the decorative character subsequently recreated during restoration.

Her displacement hull is steel, with an aluminium superstructure and a beam of 10.82 metres. Guest spaces extend from the main deck to sheltered promenade areas and an upper boat deck. The historical accommodation plan placed two principal suites on the main deck and additional guest cabins below. A formal dining room, music lounge with a Steinway piano and separate smoking room provide distinct reception spaces rather than one continuous contemporary saloon.

Propulsion remains her defining feature: two original quadruple-expansion reciprocating steam engines, each rated at 1,500 horsepower, drive twin propellers. Restoration-era technical documentation specifies two replacement water-tube boilers operating at 20 bar, with steam outputs of 14 and four tonnes per hour. Current charter particulars give an eight-knot cruising speed and approximately 3,000 nautical miles of range; SuperYacht Times records a maximum speed of 12 knots. These are published specifications rather than a recent independent sea trial.

Her history includes a fire and sinking in New York in 1926, followed by salvage and reconstruction. Acquired by the US Navy in 1942, she served as USS Dauntless and became Admiral Ernest King’s flagship before returning to civilian ownership. A comprehensive restoration undertaken between 1997 and 2003 recovered her period appearance while renewing essential systems. There are no model variants: her evolution consists of successive repairs, conversions and refits of the same vessel.

Present charter information reports another 18-month refurbishment completed in July 2026, covering engines, major equipment, paint, varnish, carpets and finishes. It advertises 13 cabins for a charter party of 12, whereas older particulars describe accommodation for 26 guests. Those historical and current capacities should not be treated as interchangeable. Current facilities include a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, massage room, hairdressing salon and gym, alongside classic wooden tenders and watersports equipment.

SS Delphine operates as a fully crewed yacht, with current charter sources quoting complements of 24 to 26. Her steam machinery is supported by dedicated engineering personnel. Advertised cruising grounds centre on the Mediterranean, including the French Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia and Italy. Her combination of extensive entertaining spaces, heritage machinery and modern wellness facilities supports both leisurely cruising and hosted gatherings.