Hey, what is up, yacht enthusiasts, history buffs, and fellow seekers of the truly legendary? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably seen the slick photos of some gorgeous classic superyacht cruising effortlessly off Monaco or dropping anchor in St. Barth’s. We see the polished teak, the pristine white hull, the elegant profile, and we think, "Ah, Gilded Age money, built for the Mediterranean."
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
But what if I told you the vessel we are talking about today—a 51-meter, 373 Gross Tonne steel displacement motor yacht known today as the M/Y ALICIA—didn't start her life under the Riviera sun? What if her bones were forged in the freezing freshwater of the American Great Lakes, in a gritty, industrial shipyard in Bay City, Michigan, the same place that built warships for the US Navy?
That’s the core secret of the ALICIA. She is an anomaly, a ghost of American industrial power surviving in a world dominated by Dutch and German builders. She is a 95-year-old classic that has been so thoroughly reborn—not once, not twice, but through a series of radical transformations—that she embodies the ultimate maritime paradox: a completely new ship that is simultaneously one of the oldest superyachts still cruising.
I’ve personally gone deep into the archives to bring you the full, high-information-gain story. We’re not just talking specs; we’re talking the shipbuilding revolution that created her, the Depression-era titan who commissioned her, and the $100 million legacy of rebuilds that have made her arguably the most resilient yacht on the planet. Get comfortable, because this is the untold history of the ALICIA, the vessel that literally came back from the dead.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
Part I: The Great Lakes Anomaly—A Shipyard Built on Grit and Innovation
To understand ALICIA, you first have to understand the place she was born: Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan.
I want you to wipe the image of sun-drenched European sheds from your mind. Defoe was pure industrial Americana, situated right on the Saginaw River, just a stone's throw from the Great Lakes. The Defoe story is just incredible, and it sets the stage for why ALICIA was built so well in the first place.
Founded in 1905, the company started life as Defoe Boat and Motor Works, a partnership between the highly unlikely team of Harry J. Defoe (a public school principal), his brother Frederick W. Defoe (a New York lawyer), and their brother-in-law, George H. Whitehouse (a wholesale fish businessman). Seriously, who puts a yacht yard together with a principal and a fish wholesaler? Only in America.
They started small, building "knock-down" boats—prefabricated frames that could be shipped anywhere in the world and assembled by the purchaser. This ingenuity, this focus on efficiency and scalability, was the shipyard's DNA.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
The Upside-Down Revolution
The shift came with the military. As the US entered World War I, Defoe started taking on Navy contracts, which forced them to transition from wooden pleasure craft to steel warships. This is where the magic—and the quality of the ALICIA's original hull—really comes into play.
During the massive military build-up for World War II, Defoe, unlike many older, established yards, didn't rely on archaic building methods. They needed speed. They needed volume. So, they invented a technique that changed shipbuilding forever: the "upside-down and roll-over" method.
Imagine welding the vast, heavy steel plates of a ship's hull. Normally, you have to weld overhead—slow, exhausting, and prone to imperfections. The Defoe method was simple genius: they built the hull sections completely upside-down. This allowed the workers to perform almost all the critical, heavy-duty welding "hand down," making it faster, stronger, and more consistent. Once the welding was done, massive wheels and cranes would roll the entire hull upright.
This innovation was so effective that Defoe became a powerhouse. They built 154 ships between 1939 and 1945, including 17 Destroyer Escorts, 11 High-Speed Transports, and numerous Patrol Craft. They were fast, they were efficient, and the quality was legendary. It’s this same, bomb-proof, over-engineered steel construction from the early years—before the wartime rush—that forms the backbone of the ALICIA.
The Presidential Fleet Connection
And Defoe wasn't just a military contractor. They were also the preferred builder for the American elite, linking their Great Lakes yard directly to the highest levels of power and luxury.
They built the 92-foot Lenore in 1931. This yacht was later seized by the government in WWII and, astonishingly, went on to become a Presidential Yacht in 1956, serving US Presidents.
They built the Honey Fitz, named by President John F. Kennedy after his grandfather.
They even built the Barbara Anne for President Eisenhower and the Tricia for President Nixon.
When the keel of what would become ALICIA was laid down in 1930, she wasn't just another vessel; she was a product of a shipyard that mastered steel, served presidents, and revolutionized naval construction. That pedigree is why she’s still sailing today.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
Part II: The Birth of a Classic—Janidore (1930)
Now, let’s focus on the star of the show.
It’s 1930. The Great Depression is hitting hard, yet here comes a commission for a massive, steel-hulled luxury motor yacht. The man behind the order was Isadore Zellerbach, a prominent businessman and paper magnate, part of the powerful Zellerbach family known for the Crown Zellerbach paper company. This wasn't a casual purchase; this was a statement.
Zellerbach gave his new floating mansion a deeply personal name: *Janidore*, a contraction of his daughter’s name, Jane, and his own name, Isadore.
The Original Design Philosophy
The original naval architecture was penned by the celebrated John H. Wells, Inc. Wells was one of the most respected yacht designers of the era, known for creating elegant, purposeful vessels. The design brief was clear: a long-range, displacement yacht capable of transatlantic voyages, built for comfort and capable of handling the rough seas of the Pacific coast—where she was initially based—or indeed, the temperamental Great Lakes.
The original dimensions confirm her grand scale for the time:
Original Length: 43.28 meters (142 feet)
Hull Material: Steel (Defoe’s signature strength)
Design Purpose: Long-Range Displacement
Think about that for a second. In 1930, a 142-foot private motor yacht was truly a behemoth. This was pre-WWII, pre-fiberglass, pre-everything we consider standard today. Janidore was a floating statement of luxury and engineering prowess, delivered right before the Depression truly ground the economy to a halt. The fact that Defoe was still capable of such a build in that economic climate is a testament to their established reputation.
The initial life of Janidore was one of glamour, cruising the Pacific coast under the command of her master mariner captain. But like any truly great classic, her story doesn't end with her launch. In fact, it's just getting started.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
Part III: The Shifting Identities—A Life of Many Names
This is where the story gets really juicy, and where we start talking about the "secret history" implied in the title. The ALICIA has lived more lives than a cat, undergoing a series of name changes and ownership shifts that read like a historical thriller. Each name is a bookmark in her long, dramatic life.
| Era | Name | Implied Location/Owner | Transformation Note |
1930 - c. 1935 | Janidore | Original Owner (Zellerbach) | Initial configuration, Pacific Coast cruiser. |
c. 1935 - 1966 | Leonore, Carmac III, Luisa II | Various Owners | Transition period, less documented life. |
1966 | Niki I | New Owner, Miami | First major rebuild: The yacht was significantly rebuilt and lengthened in Miami, allowing her to officially move to the Mediterranean, which became her cruising ground for decades. |
c. 1970s | Paget | Later Name | Continued life as a luxury cruiser. |
1991 - 2005 | Fulmara | Charter Era | Successful charter career, highly visible in the Med. |
2005 - 2018 | R/S Eden | Pre-Refit Owner | Second major restoration period begins in 2007, focusing on restoring her classic 1930s elegance. |
2018 - Present | ALICIA | Current Owner | The ultimate resurrection: Massive three-year refit/reconstruction, new name, modern systems. |
I find this chain of names absolutely fascinating because it tells the story of an enduring machine. Most ships get decommissioned and scrapped after 30 or 40 years. Janidore didn't. She kept finding owners who saw her underlying value—that phenomenal Defoe steel hull—and were willing to pour enormous resources into keeping her alive.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
The Miami Rebirth (1966)
The first major turning point came in 1966, when, under the name Niki I, she underwent a comprehensive rebuild in Miami. Crucially, the vessel was lengthened. This is often the first step in a major conversion, providing more deck and interior space, and signaling a complete change in mission. She was reborn as a true global cruiser and, importantly, was then moved to the Mediterranean, successfully closing her Great Lakes/US Coast connection for the time being.
The Classic Charter Queen (Fulmara & R/S Eden)
For decades, under names like Fulmara and R/S Eden, she became a highly successful charter vessel, the epitome of classic yachting. I’ve seen countless photos of her from that era—she looked immaculate, a beacon of old-world charm among the newer, faster, and often boxier yachts being launched.
But time, as it always does, catches up. Even the best-maintained classic eventually needs more than just new paint and upholstery. By the 2010s, despite her 2007 refit that had already focused on restoration, she was due for the kind of work that separates a cherished piece of history from a costly liability. She needed a miracle.
And that, my friends, brings us to the most dramatic chapter of her life: the Phoenix Syndrome.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
Part IV: The Phoenix Syndrome—The $100 Million Resurrection
When the current British owner acquired the yacht (then R/S Eden), the goal wasn't a refit; it was a resurrection. They wanted to maintain the John H. Wells spirit of 1930 but integrate the reliability and luxury standards of the 21st century. The chosen site for this monumental task was the Southampton Marine Services Group (SMS) in the UK.
She arrived in 2015, and what followed was a meticulous, three-year, keel-up reconstruction so extensive it was described by SMS as an "almost complete reconstruction."
I want to emphasize this point because it is the single most critical factor in ALICIA's current identity and value: she is essentially a brand-new 2018 yacht that just happens to be wearing the skin of a 1930 classic.
The Structural Overhaul
The team essentially stripped the vessel back to bare metal and, in many sections, replaced the metal entirely.
New Hull Sections: They put in an almost entirely new steel hull structure, preserving the original lines but ensuring 90 years of wear and tear were eliminated.
New Superstructure: They replaced the old with a completely new aluminium superstructure. This saves weight, improving stability and performance, while achieving that classic, elegant profile.
The Clipper Bow: This is my personal favorite detail. The refit added a graceful, sweeping clipper bow. This wasn't strictly necessary, but it dramatically enhanced her classic aesthetic, tying her visually to the grand steam yachts of the early 20th century. This shows the owner's commitment to restoring history, not just patching up an old boat.
Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up
The Engineering Challenge
The Managing Director of SMS Group, Chris Norman, perfectly captured the engineering feat of this refit when he said: “We've managed to install an equipment package suited to a 1000 tonne vessel into a 400 tonne one. A tremendous achievement.”
Let that sink in.
They packed the latest, most reliable, most complex maritime systems—propulsion, hydraulics, stabilization, air conditioning, electrical systems—designed for a vessel more than twice her size, into her 373 GT frame. This required exceptional planning by the naval architects (Canark Marine) and the SMS team. It’s why her safety and reliability score today is arguably higher than when she was first launched.
The choice of engines is a classic nod to endurance: twin diesel Caterpillar D379 engines, rated at 650hp each, providing a robust, reliable, and smooth 1300hp total output. These are workhorses, not race engines, perfectly suited for long-range cruising.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
The Return to Elegance
The interior and exterior styling was masterfully handled by Design Unlimited and Rainsford Mann Design, tasked with bringing back the 1930s elegance while incorporating modern, minimalist luxury.
The goal was to move away from the potentially dated look of some 1970s and 80s refits and emphasize the original Art Deco-inspired lines. The result is a stunning balance: state-of-the-art audiovisual systems and a modern deck Jacuzzi co-existing seamlessly with polished mahogany, period fixtures, and rich, deep fabrics. The accommodations reflect this perfect blend, providing space for up to 11 guests across six cabins, all served by a dedicated crew of nine.
When ALICIA was re-launched in 2018, she was immediately hailed as one of the finest classic superyachts in the world. She had achieved the impossible: she was completely new, yet authentically 95 years old.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
Part V: The Enduring Legacy—ALICIA Today
So, what does life look like for the Bay City-born, transatlantic-capable, quintessentially classic motor yacht ALICIA in the modern era?
She is the very definition of a globe-trotting superyacht. She’s often spotted in the Caribbean during the winter season and heads back to the Mediterranean for the summer, frequently calling ports like Monaco and Gibraltar. Her current flag, the Cayman Islands, is one of the most popular for large superyachts, a testament to her full integration into the elite global fleet.
Specifications That Matter
Let’s look at the numbers, because this is where the Defoe-built endurance meets modern efficiency.
| Feature | Specification | Insight |
Current LOA | 51.0 meters (167’3”) | Lengthened from the original 142 ft. |
Gross Tonnage (GT) | 373 GT | Medium-large volume for her class. |
Cruising Speed | 10 knots | Efficient and comfortable for long distances. |
Maximum Speed | 13.5 knots | Respectable speed for a displacement hull. |
Maximum Range | 3,000 nautical miles | Transatlantic capability from her 40,000-litre fuel tanks. |
Engines | 2 x Caterpillar D379 (650hp each) | Legendary reliability and torque. |
Guests/Crew | 11 Guests / 9 Crew | High guest-to-crew ratio for impeccable service. |
The crucial number for me is that 3,000 nautical mile range. That means this vessel, built in 1930 by men who primarily focused on the Great Lakes, is still more than capable of crossing oceans. That speaks volumes about the original engineering integrity provided by John H. Wells and the robust steel construction from Defoe Shipbuilding.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
The Charter Experience
While specific charter rates fluctuate, the ALICIA (ex Fulmara, ex RS Eden) has maintained a continuous presence in the high-end charter market. The appeal is obvious: you get the stunning, timeless silhouette of a vessel from the Golden Age of yachting, combined with all the modern comforts you’d expect:
Deck Jacuzzi and ample sunbathing areas.
State-of-the-art climate control (Air Conditioning).
A selection of water toys (RIB tenders, Waverunners, Kayaks).
Luxurious, classic interiors with modern connectivity (Wi-Fi).
You are essentially stepping onto a moving museum of maritime design, but one where the plumbing, wiring, and propulsion are all less than a decade old. This fusion is why she commands such premium attention in the most exclusive charter areas of the world—from the South of France to the Bahamas.
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| Naval architecture confidential: The 1930 defoe dull number that refuses to sink, rebuilt from the keel up |
Part VI: The Defoe Legacy Endures
The tragedy of this story is that the incredible shipyard that built ALICIA is no longer with us. Defoe Shipbuilding Company, having been a massive employer in Bay City, Michigan, and a crucial component of the US naval effort for two World Wars and the Cold War (building those famous Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyers), fell victim to the economic shifts of the 1970s. Unable to secure further Navy contracts, the yard closed its doors in 1976 and the site along the Saginaw River eventually became a scrapyard, a silent victim of changing industry dynamics.
But the real legacy of Defoe isn't the scrap yard where it once stood; it's the fact that their engineering integrity continues to glide across the world's oceans.
ALICIA is the flagship of Defoe’s pleasure craft history. She stands as a 51-meter-long, 373-ton monument to the quality of Great Lakes steel and American ingenuity. She reminds us that when a yacht is built right—with pride, innovation, and serious engineering standards—it can achieve a form of immortality.
For almost a century, she has adapted, changed names, changed owners, and even changed her very structure, yet she has consistently maintained the timeless profile that John H. Wells envisioned and the rugged durability that Defoe engineered. She has traversed oceans, survived the Depression, and stood the test of nearly 100 years of technological evolution.
So the next time you see her—whether listed as Janidore, RS Eden, or her current, final name, ALICIA—remember her secret: she is not some fragile relic of the past, but a steel warrior born on a freezing American river, proving that true quality, once launched, simply refuses to sink. She is, quite literally, the 1930 hull number that refuses to retire, and that makes her one of the most remarkable superyachts in existence.