Cleopatra's Barge

This unusual ship was built in 1816 by George Crowningshield and captained by Benjamin W. Crowninshield. The elegant Cleopatra's Barge was built for a pleasure voyage and cost $50,000 to build. The furniture was later appraised at $7,000. She was eighty-three feet long and twenty two feet wide. Many thousands visited her before she made her maiden voyage in March of 1817. Capt. George Crowninshield died on the yacht on Nov. 26, 1817. The yacht was later dismantled and fitted up as a merchant vessel. It was eventually sold to King Kamehameha I of Hawaii,in 1819 and shortly after was wrecked on a reef.

See Also

• The Story of George Crowninshields' Yacht, Cleopatra's Bargeby F. B. Crowninshield.

• Essex Institute historical collections Vol. 25, pp.81-117.

• Ships and Sailors of Old Salem by Ralph D. Paine.