In 1907, the ferry named Yankee, which has weathered all sorts of storms, has been sailing through over a century of history.
The charming Yankee has four decks and is 150 feet long. Initially tasked with transporting wealthy passengers along the coastline of Massachusetts, it played a crucial role in both World Wars. During the wars, it transported waves of immigrants from New York Harbor to the processing station on Ellis Island and later continued serving Rhode Island vacationers.
Artists Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs acquired this sole surviving Ellis Island ferry in 2001, affectionately naming it Yankee. Today, the ship serves as the home of this mysterious family.
After extensive renovations, the ship now boasts over 5,000 square feet of cleverly designed living space, featuring 11 unique bedrooms. Even the engine room has been transformed into a bedroom.
Currently docked at Staten Island in New York City, Victoria mentioned to ‘Epoch Times’, “I am honored to be the caretaker of this vessel. It’s a historic landmark and milestone in the development of the Western world.”
For a period, this couple resided in the Upper East Side of New York, owning a thriving design company specializing in decorative arts. However, when their business hit a rough patch, they found themselves with nothing.
“We had nowhere to go,” Victoria disclosed in an interview with Floating Orb Productions in 2022. “One day, I thought, maybe if we could find some kind of vessel, we could continue our work in Manhattan.”
The couple discussed their idea with a friend who informed them about someone selling a “large old ferry.” Without much hesitation, they committed to buying it almost immediately, intending to convert it into their art studio.
Previously used as a party boat, Yankee was in a state of disrepair. However, as sculptors accustomed to working with various materials, the ship was a perfect fit for this creative couple.
Describing their journey of reviving the old vessel, Victoria recounted how meticulously they brought Yankee back to life, honoring and preserving its history. Through their painstaking restoration efforts, the ship now showcases the couple’s whimsical, playful artistry, and ingenious creativity.
Filled with utilitarian tools and equipment used on the ship, the main deck is cluttered with stacks of old trunks that add to the old-world charm.
On the long passenger deck, there sits a lavish dining table suspended by ropes, alongside an original wood-burning stove for warmth. The deck has been converted into an exquisite lounge area, with a piano as one of the embellishments.
Below deck in the original crew quarters, a genuine bunk bed still hangs from chains on the ceiling. The cabin features hammocks, traditional bunk beds, and a comfortable double bed. Additionally, there are more cozy guest cabin bedrooms below the deck.
Victoria possesses an elaborate, colorful wardrobe, with her own walk-in closet where clothes and jewelry dangle from exposed steel pipes on the ship. Adjacent is a small sewing room initially set up for repairing flags and other tasks, complete with traditional clothing care facilities.
Bedrooms boast wooden paneling, white linens, and porthole windows. Standalone cast-iron bathtubs add a touch of luxury to the bathrooms. The spacious “state” bedroom features a luxurious canopy bed and charming paintings.
As one of the most luxurious ferries of the early 20th century, Yankee transported the wealthy from Portland, Maine, to the Calendar Islands, later from Boston to Pine Island.
Originally coal-powered, the ship was later converted to diesel. The couple even rekindled the engines, saying that hearing the whistle and roar of the engine was quite an amusing experience.
In the control room, all the original machinery remains intact. Guests can catch a glimpse of the ship’s inner workings through a bell and gong communication system and hollow steel pipes used to relay emergency messages to the captain.
The walls of the cargo hold are adorned with black-and-white photos showcasing the proud history of this vessel.
The cozy salon serves as a social hub—an expansive, comfortable space filled with unique antique furniture, candelabras, and a globe. Cooking takes place in the adjacent main kitchen, where the stove from 1944 still remains from when the couple acquired the ship.
Spending a lifetime transforming this behemoth, the MacKenzie-Childs couple believes that the term “artist” is of little help. Victoria insists that everyone has imagination, remarking that art can be exclusive; placing artists on a pedestal in modern society is regrettable.
“Do you know what I am? I am artless,” she humorously told ‘Epoch Times’. “The term may carry some negative connotations, but it signifies being without guile, free-spirited, childlike, open.”
For Victoria, the work on Yankee never ceases, with the ship “always evolving and developing.”