YACHTS OF YESTERYEAR

Alfred Gwen Vanderbilt brought his schooner yacht Pioneer into Newport

Harbor in the fall of 1940. Pioneer was based here, except for the war

years, until 1962.

The yacht was designed by Cox and Stevens of New York City. She was built

by the Germania Werft Ship Building Company of Keil, Germany in 1927. Her

length overall was 172 feet, with a length on the water line of 125

feet.Vanderbilt, a Naval Reserve Officer, was called to active duty in

early 1941 and was stationed at San Diego in the Naval Intelligence

Department. Pioneer was moved to San Diego and used in Naval Intelligence

activities along the Mexican and Central American coasts. After the war,

Pioneer returned to Newport Harbor.

-- By John Blaich, Corona del Mar resident, yacht historian and active

sailor.