Norwester
An early guest aboard NORWESTER commented, "She's much more than a boat. She's a story."
Imagine for a moment, the time of the Great Depression. No work, many wealthy folks losing everything, "Waste not/want not", the economy in ruins. Along comes one Charles Gilbert, printer of financial documents including stock certificates and the like and soon to be manufacturer of fine furniture. He is an avid deep sea fisherman and approaches Frank Munroe, naval architect, instructing him to design a vessel capable of running in "any seas in any weather". NORWESTER is the result.
Built in 1932 in Winthrop, Massachusetts, at the Willis Reid Shipyard, NORWESTER was the largest boat to be built at that yard to date and receives a good bit of notoriety. Christened Chiro, she is a superb example of the classic wooden motor yacht. She was not considered to be a fanciful yacht but, according to a newspaper account of her launch, she is "of plain design but well worked out". The satin varnished mahogany and white paint throughout her interior gives her a relaxed feel. She's not crystal chandeliers and fine china. Rather, she was and is comfortable and very well done.
 |
||
Sliding down the ways on April 18, 1932 CHIRO is launched |
Owing to her sea kindly design and her heavy construction, NORWESTER has had over 75 years of life on the water including her passage from Winthrop, Mass to the West Coast in 1937 through the Panama Canal, at which time she was renamed NORWESTER. Under private ownership until 1941, she was commandeered by the US Navy, serving for 3 ½ years as YP 165, running coastal patrols off Southern California.
 |
||
Maiden Voyage of CHIRO |
 |
Shortly after WW II she was bought by Bo Roos, business manager to a number of Hollywood notables including John Wayne who, from his late teen years, held a deep interest in the sea. "Duke" Wayne was reintroduced to life at sea through NORWESTER and Mr. Roos and in 1955 they entered into a partnership owning NORWESTER. During this time, NORWESTER received a face lift. A large day room and wheel house was added forward of the original salon and headroom was increased to an amazing 6 6 (to accommodate Mr. Waynes 6 4 height and allow him to keep his hat on). Solid bulwarks, cover over the side decks and new upper decks were also added. While in this partnership, she plied the waters of southern California and Mexico and became somewhat of a celebrity in her own right.
In 1963, when Mr. Wayne moved up to a 137 converted mine sweeper (Wild Goose), Mr. Roos retained ownership until his passing in 1974. At that time, his daughter Carolyn, who had grown up aboard NORWESTER, and her husband Ted, took the helm and lovingly held the vessel for nearly 20 years.
Since the Olsen era, NORWESTER has been sold no less than 5 times to individuals and organizations. She was moved to the Pacific Northwest on her own bottom under the flag of Orange Coast College. She plied the waters of Puget Sound, San Juan Island and cruised the Inside Passage as part of the Colleges Marine Studies Program. |
| For the past three years many classic wooden yacht enthusiasts, friends and associates have visited NORWESTER to wonder at the restoration progress. Over those three years, much has been done so assure that she is seaworthy, mechanically sound. Many of the ships systems have been renewed or replaced and her bright work and paint has been redone really came together in the summer of 2007 and, to celebrate, made the voyage from Anacortes to Lake Union where she was opened to the public at the Historic Ships Wharf near the Center for Wooden Boats. A steady stream of visitors over two days admired her beauty, were amazed at her interior expanse, poured over the John Wayne memorabilia on board and got answers to a million questions. The current owner has talked with and visited a number of the former owners and gathered many stories as well as details of her former renovations and renewals. He is grateful in particular to Carolyn Roos Olsen and to the grandchildren of Willis Reid, builder of NORWESTER for their interest and encouragement. |  |
As with many classic wooden yachts, Norwester continues to be admired as a fine example of the skill and dedication of the shipwrights who so lovingly gave her life. For the first time in nearly 40 years, NORWESTER is available for private charter. She's not crystal chandeliers and fine china. You won't get "dressed" for dinner. Rather, she was and is classy but comfortable and well appointed. She's a place to relax, enjoy the beauty of the surrounding environment and the company of friends and family.