Hofman E. The Steam Yachts: an Era of Elegance

Tuckahoe, NY: John de Graff, 1970. — 272 p. — ISBN: 0-8286-0040-6.During the first two decades of the 20th Century, steam yachts were the most impressive status symbol man has ever devised. For sheer cost, the requirements were awesome. The purchase of the yacht was only the beginning. At a time when the captain might earn $3,600 a year in pre-inflation dollars, cost for salaries, provisions, and clothing for the full crew could be $40,000 plus as much again for fuel, repairs and docking.
These floating palaces were decorated and furnished as elaborately as the most luxurious mansion ashore. In the early 1900's there were few choices of private transportation to go shooting, visit the races or attend the regatta. Alternate methods of gracious travel were not available. A private railroad car was hidden on a dirty siding and had to wait for a train to move on. There were no cars or planes.
Erik Hofman has travelled the world seeking information about steam yachts. As an engineer and yachting enthusiast he brings to his study a technical understanding as well as a lifelong curiosity. His sources were newspapers, builders records, crew's and owners' memoirs and libraries on three continents.
Today little is known about steam yachts. Few were built after World War I and only two or three are still afloat. Here collected in one place are the facts, figures, and social significance of 120 of the most dramatic ones. He discusses only the larger ones, seventy feet or more in length. He presents 130 photographs and 107 drawings.