6 - Commerce and the Steamboat

(Part 4)

Other Merchant Enterprises

Another notable late-19th Century Enterprise was a steam-powered brigantine built by Ramage and Ferguson at Leith, Scotland in 1882. The vessel was originally called the Star of the Sea and was owned by the Duke of Norfolk (England) from 1884 to 1889. At that time, she was sold to C.G. Miller of Melbourne, Australia, who renamed her the Saide. In 1895, she was sold to Major A. Findlay and David Faber, also of Melbourne, who then returned her name to the Star of the Sea. A.J. Cassatt of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania bought the vessel in 1896 and renamed her the Enterprise. Finally, Nelson Perin, also of Phildelphia, acquired the Enterprise in 1903. The Enterprise was listed in the registry of the New York Yacht Club from 1896 until 1914.

The steam-powered brigantine Enterprise was registered to the New York Yacht Club from 1896 to 1914. [Photo: Rosenfeld Collection, Mystic Seaport Museum]

As the technology developed, more and better steam-powered vessels were built to ply their trade along the world's rivers and across the oceans. One of the first commercial ships named Enterprise to sail the Pacific was a steamship operated by the Matson Line beginning in 1901. She ran a regular route between California and Hawaii for several years.

The Matson Line's steamship SS Enterprise began providing regular service between California and Hawaii in 1901. [Photo: Hawaiian Maritime Center]

A modern luxury yacht of some note is Enterprise V, which is available for charters out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to the charter company's web site (www.moranyachts.com), Enterprise V was built by Feadship in 1993 of steel construction, is 168 feet long, and is powered by two Caterpillar diesel engines. It can cruise at speeds up to 15.8 knots and sports absolutely luxurious accommodations for guests and crew. Enterprise V is frequently seen docked at Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, information on Enterprises I through IV is not currently available.

The luxury yacht Enterprise V is frequently seen docked at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands [Photo: The Author]

Almost 100 privately-owned vessels are known, over the years, to have carried the name Enterprise. In addition to the more prominent ones mentioned above, there were several 18th Century sail-powered merchantmen; many 19th Century paddlewheelers and steamships, particularly throughout the United States; and some 20th Century freighters, trawlers, and other fishing vessels. These unglamorous, but hard working ladies of the sea are listed in Appendix A.

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Last Updated: January 28, 2006