Historic steam yacht Cangarda relaunched following major restoration
The 38-metre Cangarda, widely recognised as the world’s only surviving US-built steam yacht, has been relaunched following an extensive restoration at RMK Yachts. After completing her latest works, the historic vessel will take up permanent residence at the Rahmi Koç Museum in Istanbul, where she will serve as a centrepiece of the museum’s maritime and industrial heritage collection.
Originally launched in 1901 by American shipbuilder Pusey & Jones for lumber entrepreneur Charles Canfield, Cangarda quickly established herself as one of the most elegant private steam yachts of her era. Over the course of more than a century, the vessel travelled widely throughout the Americas and hosted notable guests, including an historic dinner attended by the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, alongside the prime ministers of Britain and Canada.
During the Second World War, the yacht was repurposed as a training vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy. The service left the vessel heavily worn, and over time she fell into serious disrepair. What followed was an extraordinary survival story: multiple restorations, a sinking, and nearly eight decades of recovery efforts ultimately preserved the historic yacht.
Today, Cangarda is owned by the founder of the Rahmi Koç Museum, an institution dedicated to the preservation of industrial and transportation history. After being transported from Maine to Turkey in 2024, the yacht entered the sheds at RMK Yachts to begin a carefully planned conservation project focused on safeguarding her historical authenticity.
Work carried out on this gorgeous sailing yacht by the shipyard included structural inspections of the hull, conservation of interior materials, restoration of rigging and deck equipment, and careful refurbishment of the vessel’s brass and bronze fittings. The project also involved extensive work on the yacht’s original steam propulsion system, one of the most technically demanding aspects of the restoration. While the original configuration was preserved, certain components were rebuilt to ensure safe operation, with engineering expertise provided by specialists from Tüpraş.
Great care was taken to retain the yacht’s distinctive Edwardian character. Features such as Cuban mahogany joinery, Tiffany glass skylights, brass fittings and traditional interior layouts were preserved wherever possible, while elements beyond repair were recreated using historically accurate materials and methods.
The restored yacht now stands as a rare surviving example of early steam-powered luxury yachting. Visitors to the Rahmi Koç Museum will be able to experience the vessel as a living piece of maritime history, while a documentary chronicling Cangarda’s journey and restoration is currently in production and expected to be released later in 2026.
