Cygnus II History and Statistics

Designer: Louis L. Kromholz
Builder: Jakobson & Petersen, Brooklyn, NY, 1930
Length: 56’
Beam: 13’6”
Draft: 3”6”
Engines: Twin Yanmar diesels

Cygnus II was designed as the Roaring 20’s ended, and custom built for Mr. Clifford M. Swan at the Jacobson and Petersen Yard in Brooklyn in 1930. She was used as a service vessel during World War II, and for the next three decades gradually deteriorated.

She was found in badly deteriorated condition in Mystic, Connecticut, in the late 1990s, and was lovingly restored by Dave and Ruth Gillespie, using her original plans which were fortunately available at Mystic Seaport.

The Gillespies completely overhauled her, adding a new flattop, replacing decks and running gear. They replaced plumbing and electrical, as well as fuel systems and engines. Several planks and ribs were replaced, new toe rails fabricated and a replacement found for the original yacht boarding ladder.
In the past decade plus, Cygnus been cruised thousands of miles. She has won awards for restorations at prestigious classic yacht exhibitions including Mystic Seaport and Ocean Reef Club.

Her current owners, Mike Wright and Jody Reynolds (Misty Rivers, Ltd), consider themselves caregivers for this wonderful piece of history. Following the tragic loss of their historic yacht Hermione, they bought her in late June 2011. They plan to cruise and charter her between Beaufort, SC, and the 1000 Islands along the Canadian border.

In memory of Hermione

This website wouldn’t be complete without mention of our beloved yacht Hermione, lost in a tragic marina fire on January 7, 2011.

Hermione was truly a piece of history. She was a 56 ½’ Elco motor yacht. Built in Bayonne, NJ, in 1925, she was the last of her design in existence.

She was originally built for a couple of vaudeville performers, Ruby and Ben >>>,
was owned by only five other owners, most of them notable, before her demise.

Mike and Jody bought her in 2007 and cruised her many thousands of miles while refurbishing her and starting a charter business.

January 2011 Marina fire claimed hermione See www.MYHermione.com

Cygnus II was purchased as a replacement yacht after a long and frustrating search, from her former owners, Dave and Ruth Gillespie. She will never replace Hermione, but in many ways she is an even better yacht. Coincidentally, although five years newer and a custom design, Cygnus II has almost the exact same dimensions as Hermione, and some of the same construction. We believe the proximity of the two yacht building yards may have resulted in many similar construction techniques.

Hermione will always be missed. But Cygnus II is a truly wonderful yacht.