Ship's Wheel from the Zalophus

Artist Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation (established 1896)

Date1922

MediumWood and brass

DimensionsOverall: 28 × 28 × 2 in. (71.1 × 71.1 × 5.1 cm)

ClassificationsTransportation Vehicles

Credit LineDonated by the Descendants of Fernie S. "Pop" Dixon, Bryan Dixon and Carrie Dixon Renninger, 2016

Object numberSN11550.1

These artifacts come from John Ringling’s yacht the Zalophus that he purchased in 1922. The 125 ft all-steel vessel with a 12 ft beam and a draft of 4 ft was designed for the Gulf waters by the Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation of Morris Heights, New York. The boat cost $200,000 and was similar in design to John Wanamaker’s yacht, the Pastime, which was moored in Palm Beach, Florida. With 6,200 gallons of oil onboard, it had a cruising radius of 4,000 miles. Because of the modern design and quality of workmanship, the yacht was featured in many of the boating magazines of the time and was used in advertisements for Nelseco engines built by the New London Ship and Engine Company of Groton, Connecticut. On June 17, 1922, Mable Ringling christened the vessel and by December 1922, the boat was ready for delivery. The Ringlings used the houseboat to entertain friends and business associates as well as to demonstrate the charm and opportunities of Sarasota to possible financial investors.

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