Jekyll Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jekyll Island Club Wharf
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Jekyll Island Club Wharf Marker
Here anchored the most luxurious pleasure craft in the world during the existence of the Jekyll Island Club, 1886-1942.No other yacht was comparable to John Pierpont Morgan's several Corsairs. Corsair II, too large to dock, anchored in the channel. Morgan was escorted ashore by a flotilla of small craft, after a cannon had sounded off his arrival in these waters. Corsair II was 304 ft. overall, beam 33 1/2 ft., draft 17 ft., speed 19 knots, tonnage 1,600. About this Corsair Morgan, when asked how much it cost, made his classic remark: "If you have to consider the cost you have no business with a yacht."
Other palatial yachts owned by Jekyll Island Club members were: Pierre Lorillard's Caimen, James Stillman's Wanda, Astors' Nourmahal, Vanderbilt's Alvah and Valiant, H. Manville's Hi Esmaro, Jr., Pulitzer's Liberty, George F. Baker's Viking, E. T. Stotesbury's Castle, Cranes' Illyria, Theodore N. Vail's Speedwell and Northwind, Commodore Frederick Bourne's Marjorie, Goulds' Hildegards, Saono, and Ketchum.
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Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 063-28.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list.
Location. 31° 3.501′ N, 81° 25.389′ W. Marker is on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker can be reached from Riverview Drive. Located at the wharf. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jekyll Island GA 31527, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Exclusive Access Only (within shouting distance of this marker); Arriving on This Island (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Transcontinental Call (about 300 feet away); The Clubhouse (about 300 feet away); Evolution of Elegance (about 400 feet away); The Sans Souci (about 400 feet away); Fairbank Cottage Site (about 500 feet away); Men of Means (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.
Also see . . . USS Glouscester (1891). Wikipedia entry on Morgan's yacht, Corsair II, in U.S. Navy Service. (Submitted on January 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009
2. Jekyll Island Club Wharf Marker
Naval Historical Center
3. Steam Yacht Corsair, as mentioned
Photo #: NH 82201
Corsair (American Steam Yacht, 1899)
Photographed circa the 1920s.
Built in 1899 for financier J.P. Morgan, this yacht served as USS Corsair (SP-159) during World War I and as USS Oceanographer (AGS-3) during World War II.
Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1975.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
4. Morgan yacht, Corsair II
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 12, 2014
5. Jekyll Island Club Wharf & Pier (wide view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 20, 2013
6. Jekyll Island Club Wharf (pier entrance)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,519 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on March 30, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
