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The Cangarda at dock.

FOR MID-JUNE A 1901 STEAM YACHT WILL DOCK IN JULY AT MYSTIC SEAPORT set 4/6 w/1CUT

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MYSTIC, CONN. — A large and rare 1901 steam yacht will be exhibited to the public later this summer on the waterfront at Mystic Seaport — The Museum of America and the Sea.

Built at the beginning of the Twentieth Century in the Edwardian tradition of the late 1800s, the yacht Cangarda was a toy of the super rich — what might be referred to today as a megayacht. Built in Wilmington, Del., before the days of the income tax, Cangarda is the last surviving American-built steam yacht in the country — and one of only three of its type left in the world.

Cangarda was restored to her current form from 2004 to 2008. Under the agreement, the yacht will spend the majority of its time at Mystic Seaport. The vessel is expected to arrive at the museum sometime in July for a short stay, followed by another brief visit in August. It will return in September for the remainder of the year.

As part of the agreement, Cangarda will be at Mystic Seaport for at least 30 days per year as an exhibit vessel. And, when she is traveling, the museum will be referred to as her homeport.

Never in its lifetime has Cangarda been available to the public. But thanks to its current owner and restorer, the antique yacht will be accessible for public viewing at Mystic Seaport for many months of each year. “We are pleased to have this, one of the last grand American yachts, home-ported at Mystic Seaport,” said Jeff Rutherford, who directed the restoration of Cangarda.

“From the beginning of this project, we have always been dedicated to the concept that it should be available for the public to enjoy. Mystic Seaport is a great venue for this, and we look forward to developing this partnership with the museum.”

Cangarda was named after its original owners, Charles Canfield and his wife Belle Gardner. Home-ported for much of its life in the Thousand Islands stretch of the St Lawrence River, the yacht hosted a dinner in 1927 attended by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Kent and the English and Canadian Prime Ministers.

For information, 860-572-0711 or www.mysticseaport.org.