Wakiva II Yacht - Lamon V. Harkness

Builder model of Wakiva at Walnut Hall

Clearly, Lamon V. Harkness loved traveling. Lamon had two "Wakiva" yachts, Wakiva I and Wakiva II. Wakiva II was built in 1907 as a no-holds-barred pleasure and excursion yacht. Wakiva II was 239 ft long and 909 tons. This made the Wakiva II the largest of all the Flagler/Harkness yachts.

Wakiva I was built in 1903 and was smaller at a length of 192ft and 488 Tons and was likely sold to Edward Doheney in Los Angeles in the 1914 timeframe.

Wakiva I - Lost in Tampico Mexico when used as a blockcade ship by Doheny to protect his oil fields during the Mexican Revolution in 1914

1907 Article on Wakiva's initial travels

Lamon had frequent traveling companions on Wakiva. His cousin from Clyde, Ohio Emmons D. Harkness was a frequent guest. Emmons D. Harkess is the grandson of Dr. W.G. Harkness. Emmons also often brought his nieces Mrs. E.A. Meeker and Ms. Irene Davenport. Lamon also entertained Emmons and his nieces at Walnut Hall and visited them in Clyde, Ohio.

An AI Generated example of what the Wakiva might have looked like on the move.

What was it like on the steam yacht of this era? Here is a great video of a 1900s era steam yacht still in service:

In 1911, the captain of the Wakiva II, Capt. Spinney, caught a cold coming back from the Azores. He died shortly thereafter. Lamon was never to be aboard Wakiva II after Capt. Spinney passed away.

Binoculars presented to Capt. Spinney in 1911

Wakiva II at War

Note that the William L. Harkness yacht Agawa was also given to the war effort at this time. Agawa survived WWI and then served in WWII. She was unfortunately lost in that war. That is covered here 

Wakiva II, originally a pleasure craft, was converted into a man-of-war for "distant service." It served as a convoy escort in Brest, France and had multiple encounters with German submarines. In November 1917, the ship was credited with probably seriously damaging a submarine. Tragically, while escorting a convoy in May 1918 during foggy conditions, Wakiva II was accidentally rammed and sunk by USS Wa

bash (ID-1824). Two crew members aboard Wakiva II lost their lives in the collision and sinking. Captain Thomas P. Magruder chose Wakiva II as his flagship and assumed command as Commander, Squadron Four, Patrol Force, on August 18, 1917.

Wakiva's commanders while in service were:

LCDR Thomas R. Kurtz, USN - Awarded the Navy Cross - Retired as Rear Admiral 6 August 1917

CDR Guy Erwin Davis, USN - Awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal - Retired as Captain November 1917

LCDR Ezra Griffin Allen, USN - USNA Class of 1905

Awarded the Navy Cross (1918) - Retired as Rear Admiral 22 May 1918