Ultimate Restorations Season 1 Episode 3 Cangarda: The Last American Steam Yacht

Cangarda: The Last American Steam Yacht is the third episode in the first season of Ultimate Restorations. This episode follows the restoration of a beautiful steam yacht known as the Cangarda. The yacht was built in 1901 by the Pusey and Jones Shipyard in Wilmington, Delaware. The Cangarda was one of only a few ships of her kind with a steel hull and a wooden superstructure.

The Cangarda was originally built for the wealthy businessman Charles Henry Fletcher, who named the yacht after his wife. Fletcher was an avid yachtsman who enjoyed sailing on the waters of Long Island Sound and the East Coast of the United States. The Cangarda was the perfect vessel for him, and he spent many happy days on board with his family and friends.

Over the years, the Cangarda passed through the hands of several owners before it was purchased by Ken and Linda Rickel in 1996. The couple fell in love with the yacht and its history, and they began an extensive restoration project. The Rickels wanted to restore the yacht to its former glory, but they also wanted to make it seaworthy so they could sail it around the world.

The restoration of the Cangarda was a massive undertaking that involved hundreds of skilled craftsmen and artisans. The yacht was completely disassembled, with each piece labeled and cataloged. The hull and superstructure were stripped down to the bare frame, and every rivet, fitting, and plank was inspected and repaired or replaced.

One of the biggest challenges in restoring the Cangarda was finding replacement parts. Many of the original fittings and fixtures were no longer available, so the restorers had to get creative. They scoured antique shops, flea markets, and salvage yards to find pieces that would match the yacht's original design.

Another challenge was finding craftsmen who could work with the materials and techniques used in the early 1900s. The crew had to rely on a mix of traditional and modern techniques to restore the yacht's wooden superstructure and steel hull.

Despite the challenges, the restoration of the Cangarda was a success. The yacht was returned to its original specifications and fitted with modern electronics and safety equipment. The Rickels were thrilled with the results and used the yacht for many years, sailing it all over the world.

This episode of Ultimate Restorations is a fascinating look at the painstaking process of restoring a piece of history. It shows the dedication and hard work of the craftsmen and artisans who worked on the Cangarda, and it highlights the challenges of preserving an antique vessel while making it seaworthy for modern use. Fans of history, architecture, and engineering will enjoy watching the restoration of the Cangarda and learning about the history of this beautiful steam yacht.