Antique Yacht Restored, Back In Water At Palmetto Bluff
Antique Yacht Restored, Back In Water At Palmetto Bluff
Shannon Copcutt
Grace, a 60-foot antique motor yacht originally built in 1913 for the purposes of commuting across New York Harbor, was recently placed back where she belongs, in the May River, thanks to a group dedicated to the boat's restoration.
"In November The Grace Club was thrilled to announce that Grace has been restored to her former glory and once again adorns the May River and surrounding waterways," said Gray C. Stahlman, MD, Historian, The Grace Club.
Under the guidance of a newly formed group called The Grace Club - a founder/ member sponsored, not for profit organization - the iconic ship was brought back to its original splendor. Built on the partnership structure between The Grace Club founders and Southstreet, a full speed ahead approach to restoring the Grace was adopted, resulting in her return to the water late November after being land locked since December 2020 from experiencing a cracked block.
It was in December 2022, when a Palmetto Bluff Club member formed Operation Saving Grace to find a path forward for putting the Grace back into service in partnership with Southstreet Partners. Southstreet Partners and the management team of the Palmetto Bluff Club, worked collaboratively for nine months toward this shared objective. Southstreet was so committed to the endeavor it transferred title of the Grace to The Grace Club; provided long term rentfree access to the Grace Dock; and supplied ongoing marketing and communications support for The Grace Club operations.
"Grace is an elegant and iconic motor yacht with a storied background and rich history spanning 110 years. I'm proud to say she is standing tall and will be available for scheduled cruises, as well as private charters; said Lee Leonard, President of The Grace Club.
Grace was named in honor of Grace Graham Vanderbilt, the sister of the original owner of Palmetto Bluff, Richard T. Wilson Jr., and wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt Ill. The iconic vessel - replete with a celebrated background and illustrious history - was brought to Palmetto Bluff in 2005 and, for 15+ years, provided a unique member cruising experience on the beautiful May River affording guests incredible views of the property, the town ofBlutfton and the surrounding waterways, which it will now be able to do again.
© The Grace Club 2024.