Celebrating 75 Years!

Tags

history, lake tahoe, Thunderbird Yacht, Whittell Family, woody boats

This month we will be celebrating Thunderbird yacht’s 75th Anniversary.  Over the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of her various stages of ownership.  Enjoy!

The Beginning~

Thunderbird was designed by the legendary naval architect John L. Hacker and built at the Huskins Boat Works – Bay City, Mich.

Thunderbird under construction at Huskins Boat & Motor Works. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird under construction at Huskins Boat & Motor Works. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird under construction at Huskins Boat & Motor Works. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird under construction at Huskins Boat & Motor Works. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird under construction at Huskins Boat & Motor Works. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird being prepared for her November, 1939, sea trials. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird underway during her sea trials on the Saginaw River. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird on the Saginaw River. TLPS Archives.

Second run on the Saginaw River. TLPS Archives.

Successful sea trial meant she was ready for fitting out and delivery. TLPS Archives.

She arrived and was launched on the lake July 15, 1940

Nevada State Journal, July 17, 1940

Delivery of the Thunderbird at Tahoe City. TLPS Archives.

Whittell and friends enjoyed her for several years

Thunderbird on Lake Tahoe, circa 1940-1941. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird in front of the Lodge during Whittell’s 60th birthday celebration, September, 1941, from the Whittell films. TLPS Archives.

Interior view of the Thunderbird of unidentified passengers. Whittell Films, TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird underway during Whittell’s 60th birthday celebration, from the Whittell films. TLPS Archives.

Thunderbird underway during Whittell’s 60th birthday celebration, from the Whittell films. TLPS Archives.

George Whittell Jr. and guests celebrating his 60th birthday on Thunderbird. From the Whittell films. TLPS Archives.

Thundbird sitting in her cradle in the boathouse in the early sixties. Crane Family Collection, TLPS Archives.

Crane Family Collection, TLPS Archives.

But then she was forgotten and left to hang in the boathouse for many more…