The Cangarda, a majestic 126-foot yacht built in 1901, will soon be steaming out of Richmond with a new lease on life. The ship is one of only three Edwardian-era steam yachts in the world, and the last one in America. She is currently in the final stages of restoration at Rutherford’s Boat Shop in Richmond Yacht Harbor, which is well known for their work restoring classic yachts as well as their flawless work in marine woodworking, structural and interior work and traditional rigging.
The Cangarda leaves Richmond’s Marina Bay for Rutherford’s Boat Shop where her restoration will be completed. Photo by Joel Williams
Published: October, 2007
The Cangarda is named after original owners Charles Canfield, a Michigan lumber mogul, and his wife, Belle Gardner. Canfield ended up selling the boat to George Fulford, a member of the Canadian Parliament who owned a 20,000-square-foot mansion, Fulford Place, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. The Cangarda was a perfect centerpiece for the beautiful waterfront property and eventually an entire room was devoted to it at Fulford Place.
The Fulford family enjoyed the yacht for decades afterwards. Daughter Martha was married aboard her in 1909; Sir Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, gave the bride away. And in 1927, Mary Fulford hosted a famous dinner entertaining the Prince of Wales, Duke of Kent, and the Prime Ministers of both England and Canada.
During World War II, she was used as a training vessel by the Canadian Royal Navy. After the war the ship was sold but the new owner failed to maintain the vessel and the Cangarda slowly went into disrepair.
In the early 1980s an attempt was made to restore her. The ship was disassembled and an effort was made to rebuild the hull, but the project eventually ran out of money. In 1999 the gutted hull sank at a Boston pier; it looked like the Cangarda was gone for good.
What was left of the Cangarda was rescued shortly thereafter, however, and the search began for a new owner who would complete the restoration. Captain Steve Cobb, who has skippered pleasure yachts and a plethora of maritime vessels for over 30 years, took it upon himself to shop the crippled Cangarda around to possible buyers. He was looking for someone who would appreciate her unique beauty and historic significance, and who might have the funds to undertake the massive restoration project.
Cobb was able to find a prominent Bay Area yachtsman and venture capitalist who enjoys restoring classic boats. The deal was done, and the Cangarda was shipped in bits and pieces to the West Coast. The new owner, who has asked to remain anonymous, has a home in Richmond and chose to have the restoration done at Rutherford’s Boat Shop in Richmond Yacht Harbor. He had worked with owner Jeff Rutherford in the past to restore the sailing yacht Joyant (built in 1911) with amazing results. When asked how he found the Cangarda, the owner’s response was, Boats find me!
The Cangarda’s original hull was damaged beyond repair, so Rutherford had it scanned with a laser; he then used the three-dimensional image to reverse engineer a new hull that would conform to the specifications of the original. Next, a new boiler was manufactured to fit in the footprint of the original, which, although it would still hold pressure, could not be recertified for use due to its age. Finally, the beautiful Victorian interior was reinstalled, complete with the original Cuban mahogany woodwork.
Bay Area native Jeff Rutherford is no stranger to extensive restoration projects. When he was in his twenties, he got his start by working in Rockland, Maine rebuilding a 90-foot schooner. He worked on the project for a full year, and then moved back to San Francisco, where he worked repairing wooden tugboats. He then took a job with Pacific Fishboat Company building large fishing boats, until that company closed two years later. He then started his own business, setting up shop in Richmond Yacht Harbor in 1982, and has been there ever since.
It took a crew of 20 people three years to get the Cangarda to the point where she could be launched; on August 24th she slipped into Richmond’s Marina Bay in front of over 100 onlookers. The boat briefly rolled to one side, which Cobb said was a definite possibility, but quickly righted herself to the relief of everyone watching. Because the steam engines aren’t currently ready to power the Cangarda, she was escorted back to Rutherford’s Boat Shop, where the remaining work will be completed while she is afloat in Richmond Yacht Harbor.
When asked about the cost of the restoration, both Cobb and the owner said it was irrelevant; reported estimates have ranged from $5 to 10 million. What they do see as important is the historic preservation of such a masterpiece.
The Cangarda was launched into Richmond’s Marina Bay on August 24th. Photo by Joel Williams
