Great Yachts of Long Island's North Shore

Book excerpt: At the turn of the 20th century, Long Islands North Shore, the so-called Gold Coast, was becoming the most desirable residential area in the United States. Estates belonging to American captains of finance and industry lined the bluffs and bays from the city line to Eatons Neck. Some of the nations most renowned familiesincluding the Astors, Bakers, Huttons, Morgans, Pratts, Sloans, Roosevelts, Whitneys, and Vanderbiltsused their yachts for racing, cruising, commuting, or epic voyages. These vessels regularly plied the waters of the North Shore and bolstered the development of yacht clubs like the New York and Seawanhaka Corinthiancity institutions that established stations at Glen Cove and Centre Island, respectively. These clubs served to provide many outlets for the social gatherings that accompanied this pastime. Although the Great Depression and then World War II would bring the era of the great yachts to an end, a wealth of images remain that can be marveled at a century later.