On February 5, an auction will take place in France for the SS Delphine—a renowned vintage yacht notable for still being powered by its original steam engines, which have been preserved since its launch. The auction is being held due to a legal dispute, with the starting price for this historic lot set at just €500,000.

Delphine is a 257-foot (78 m) four-deck steam yacht, built in 1921 for Horace Dodge Sr., co-founder of the Dodge Brothers Automobile Company, and named after his daughter. This majestic vessel was launched in River Rouge, Michigan, at the Great Lakes Engineering Co. shipyard and cost the magnate a staggering (for that era) two million dollars. The yacht's marine architecture and exterior design were crafted by Henry J. Gielow, while the interior design was handled by Tiffany's of New York.

Technical Specifications

Delphine is equipped with two quadruple-expansion steam engines, each generating 1,500 horsepower. These unique engines, designed by Dodge himself, continue to operate today. During the 2003 renovation, the engine room was updated, replacing the original Babcock & Wilcox steam boilers with two modern water-tube boilers. The yacht's steam engines operate at low RPMs of just 150, significantly lower than contemporary marine engines. Delphine achieves a cruising speed of 9 knots (about 17 km/h) and has a range of approximately 2,500 nautical miles. Its maximum speed reaches 15 knots (about 28 km/h).

Success and Tragedy

Brothers Horace and John Dodge were outstanding entrepreneurs who found success in the automotive industry, initially supplying parts to Henry Ford's assembly lines before establishing their own brand. Having amassed considerable wealth, they built luxurious mansions in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and yachts that became symbols of their success.

Unfortunately, Horace and John Dodge never enjoyed Delphine, as both succumbed to influenza in 1920 after attending the National Automobile Show in New York. They were both just 55 years old at the time of their deaths. Horace's wife, Anna, took possession of the yacht, and the family used it to cruise the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and the East Coast.

In 1926, Delphine caught fire and partially sank but was successfully restored. In 1940, the yacht underwent repairs after running aground on rocks near Manitoulin Island in Ontario.

In The Navy

During World War II, Delphine was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy and renamed USS Dauntless. It became the flagship of Admiral Ernest King, commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Reports indicate that a secret meeting took place aboard the yacht between U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Russian Ambassador Molotov.

After the war, Delphine served as a training vessel at the Lundenburg School of Seamanship in Maryland. Over the next 18 years, the yacht changed hands several times and, at one point, was nearly scrapped.

Modern Life

In 2003, Delphine underwent a major restoration costing €45 million, after which Monaco's Princess Stéphanie rechristened the yacht. Today, Delphine is renowned as a sought-after charter yacht sailing under the Portuguese flag. During the Monaco Grand Prix, the yacht hosts parties and receptions featuring Formula 1 stars.

Delphine accommodates up to 26 guests in 11 cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom. The owner's suite measures 7.6 by 7.6 meters, while guest cabins are 4.3 by 4.3 meters. The yacht also features a swimming pool, massage room, spa, gourmet kitchen, a small infirmary, and approximately 280 square meters of deck space. Once home to a grand organ, the space now features a piano.

For tenders, Delphine utilises a 6-meter boat for the captain and crew, as well as 9-meter and 10-meter boats for owners and guests. The yacht has a beam of 11 meters and a draft of 6.6 meters.