ssMaritime
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian
SS
Corsair IV
We see the ship here as the 1947 Pacific Cruise Lines SS
Corsair having been sold
and completely renovated into a passenger ship from a private
luxury yacht – Corsair IV
For many years the
author had a folder somewhere in the system containing the ships details as
well as a series of photographs of this remarkable small classic vessel. She certainly
was not one of the great liners of the world, for she was built and designed to
be a luxury yacht that would later become a deluxe cruise ship. Many of my
regular readers may say that this ship does not fit the profile of ssmaritime.com, however, I believe that this delightful ship
has a special place in maritime history, for sadly so little has been written
about her! It was only due to an email received from a reader with an enquiry
regarding this ship, which prompted me to write and compile this story, and I
trust that it will be greatly enjoyed by those who read it, although the
Corsair did have a tragic end!
The
story starts with the famed Business tycoon J. Pierpont Morgan and his son,
Jack Morgan who had built three fine yachts in
their days. All of them had been named Corsair & Corsair II & III. Like any
great man of wealth and power each yacht be bigger,
faster and even more luxurious than the previous one. Because of this, the
family created
massive media attention each time a new yacht was launched and when the last
ship was launched a rather famous quote became a byword for many in the world
of the rich. For when asked “Sir how much will it cost to operate a boat
of this size” Mr. Morgan’s response was, “Sir, if you have to
ask that question, you can’t afford it.”
Mr Morgan senior boarding the first SS Corsair
In 1927 the
Morgan’s were already thinking of a new addition, the Corsair IV, which
would be constructed at the Maine Shipyards. She cost US$2.5 million, being the
equivalent of around 60 million plus in today’s terms. This new ship
would be the Morgan’s largest yacht ever, but also the largest yacht to
have been built in the
The Morgan’s had a love for the traditional yachts and even a touch of the pirate look in the designs. This was obvious in the Corsair IV, as she was a long, sleek looking, dark and heavy below, with a stylised superstructure that was lighter and to be envied!
Her Launching:
The SS Corsair is seen being fitted out beside her
builders at
Photograph is owned and was provided by Mr. Mark Pennington
Mr. Mark Pennington wrote the author and
stated: “My grandfather Ferdinand G. Dumais (Bud) worked at the Bath Iron
Works during the construction of the SS Corsair and I have included two images
he has left to me for your viewing and use. I only recently became aware of the
identity of the ship and its owner through conversation with Mr. Nathan R. Lipfert, who is the
Senior Curator of the “
A water colour image of the SS Corsair just after her
completion
Image is owned and was provided by Mr. Mark Pennington
The author is most grateful to Mr. Pennington for providing these rare images and advising us about his Grandfather’s involvement in her building.
**********************************
SS Corsair IV served the Morgan family
faithfully for the ten years, sailing along the East Coast of the
After World War II
suddenly cruising had seemed to have become extremely popular amongst Americans
who seemed to have money to spend on cruises, especially in the luxury end of
the market. However at the time there were not any all first class ships that
specialised in cruising, as most were liners that had two or three classed and
operated on seasonal cruising. In addition, around half of the passenger ships
had been sunk and those that had survived the war required extensive
refurbishing and were needed on line voyages, and then even they would take
several years before they would be back in service or new ships built. Well
known North American Companies, such as American President Lines, Matson
and Canadian Pacific Lines all took their time to get back to service. It took
American President Lines three years to re-establish liner service to the Orient
and it wasn’t until 1948 when Matson Line’s famous Lurline
recommenced her
There were some business men in the shipping industry who had a good head on them and they had a good idea about the luxury cruise market, and thus the Skinner and Eddy Corporation who owned the Alaska Steamship Company in 1946 decided to form a new branch the Pacific Cruise Lines. They went looking for a ship and soon found the perfect ship for their needs, the Corsair IV. The former super luxury Morgan yacht was purchased reregistered Panamanian flag.
She was officially renamed Corsair, with the IV being dropped, was taken to the Todd Shipyards in New York where she received some minor repairs required at the time as well as an overhaul in the engine room.
Corsair’s facilities.
Facilities on the
new and glamorous SS Corsair were second to none. She had just 42 staterooms
accommodating 82 passengers. Each of her staterooms was much larger and more
luxurious than on almost any other ship afloat. Obviously there was no
expense spared in furnishing and decorating them, with the finest materials,
and all done with the best workmanship that was available in the
The bedroom of a double bedded suite
The bedroom of a twin bedded stateroom
Stewards
line up out on deck for inspection
One
of the ships chefs ensuring the detail is perfect!
A
gleaming galley
Her public rooms such as the Main Lounge, forward Observation Lounge, Cocktail Lounge, Restaurant and other on board venues were all luxuriously carpeted and fully air-conditioned as were all of her accommodations, bedrooms, sitting rooms and suites. The Morgan’s would have been very proud of her!
The Main Lounge
Forward Observation Lounge
Cocktail Lounge and Bar
The Thunderbird Restaurant
SS Corsair is
ready to set sail:
SS Corsair looking like a luxury cruise ship
in her new all white livery
Note her hull enclosures and aft deck extensions
Above
and below: The 1948/49
Above
and below: The 1949
SS Corsair seen at
Passengers enjoying the cruising life on SS Corsair:
Passengers enjoying a drink aft of the ship on the
“big bed”
An intimate moment on the aft “big bed” –
still has that feel of a yacht!
Having fun up on deck
However tragedy struck the SS Corsair on November 12, 1949.
The Corsair, during one of
her autumn Mexican Riviera cruises, she struck a rock and was beached at
Tragedy has struck as we see the Corsair on the rocks
This photograph is the property of “Puget Sound
Maritime Historical Society”
Thankfully
there was no loss of life. She soon listed over onto her starboard side with
her promenade deck well under water. She was examined by her marine experts and
owners, however it was sadly determined that the luxury cruise ship was a total
loss, and she was abandoned to “Davy Jones’ locker.” Today
divers go down and look at this once great lady of the sea and they can only
imagine her grandeur that once was.
This photograph is the property of “Puget Sound
Maritime Historical Society”
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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
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