Model Motor Yacht Motorsailer

Wanting to give her husband the most personal of gifts, we worked from the shipbuilder's original plans to fashion and create an exact replica of his most treasured motorsailer yacht in silver.

There is an interesting back story to this motorsailer. Originally built for Sir William Burton KBE, a distinguished yachtsman and J Class challenger for the America's Cup in 1930, and designed by the gifted English naval architect Alfred Mylne, the motor yacht Caleta, as she was originally named, was built in 1930 in Dartmouth with the specific purpose of providing accommodation for the owner and his guests at each regatta.

In 1939 she was requisitioned into the Royal Navy and joined the mass of Little Ships to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk Harbour and the beaches to the east. For two days Caleta operated under intense enemy shell-fire and dive-bomber attacks, during which time she assisted various vessels and embarked 35 troops.

With many owners over the years, she underwent many name changes too. As Corisande, based in Antibes, she was used in the film Tender is the Night with Ingrid Bergman. In the 1980s she was given the name Atlantide and in 1999 was returned to service as a support ship for her owner's racing fleet, by coincidence the same purpose as her first owner intended.

The model had pride of place in one of the vessel's state rooms but was badly damaged, as can be seen in the photographs. The skill of our silversmith brought the yacht back to its former glory.

This is an example of a bespoke private commission. Get in touch to discuss your own ideas; we can make anything in silver.