SoCal Classics: Swift of Ipswich

In this feature, The Log looks at notable boats — sail and power — that continue to turn heads in Southern California harbors.

Boat name: Swift of Ipswich

Length: 70 ft.

Draft: 9”

Beam: 18.2”

Year Built: 1938

The Back Story: Swift of Ipswich, which is currently owned by Los Angeles Maritime Institute, is a topsail schooner. Some might say she is a true American classic — and they would be right since Swift of Ipswich is modeled after a notable boat sharing her name. Built as a replica of an American privateer (also named Swift) captured by the British Royal Navy during the Revolutionary War, Howard I. Chapelle designed her and she was built in Robinson’s Boatyard in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Beginnings at Robinson’s Boatyard: William A. Robison was an accomplished boating engineer from Kenosha, Wisconsin. At the age of 25, Robinson sailed around the world and then he ran his business Robinson’s Boatyard in Ipswich, nestled along Fox Creek, which filled rapidly and allowed for vessel passage. Some say this route was used as early as the 1600s.

A notable boatyard, the onset of WWII lead Robinson to begin building minesweepers and a landing craft in preparation for D-Day. Swift of Ipswich was built for his personal use as originally the boatyard specialized in building wooden boats before the war.

After a bitter divorce, Robinson abandoned his boatyard and moved to Tahiti; there is not much left of it, but Robinson’s Boatyard site is considered a historical landmark and can be visited today.

A Slice of History: In the 1950s, James Cagney, an American actor known for such movies as “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and renowned for his dancing abilities as well as his recognizable New York accent, purchased Swift of Ipswich to use as his personal yacht. Cagney moved the yacht to Newport Beach in 1958, using it for harbor cruises and the like. Around that time the ship was featured in a number of films as well.

Retirement: Swift of Ipswich was acquired by the Los Angeles Maritime Institute in San Pedro in 1991 and eventually became a part of the institute’s TopSail Program, which allowed students with learning disabilities to facilitate hands-on training to “become healthy, productive adults.” Though her days setting sail are no more,Swift of Ipswich has seen some of her most impressive duties helping to train at-risk youths.

Obstacles and the Race to Save Swift: Capt. Bruce Heyman, the director at Los Angeles Maritime Institute, told The Log, “We were making great progress from about Dec. 1 2013 until Feb. 15, 2015. At that time we ran low on funds and had to deal with the financial reality of our core business … Right now, we are working to raise $550,000; that is our current estimate to complete the job. Once we have those funds, we expect we would be able to complete the restoration in 18 months.” To learn more about Swift of Ipswich, please visit lamitopsail.org.

8 thoughts on “SoCal Classics: Swift of Ipswich

  • September 24, 2019 at 1:38 pm
    Permalink

    I cherish the memorable Sierra Club sail aboard the Swift of Ipswich in the summer of 1973. Sailing out of Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands, we enjoyed the best 3 days sailing about the Islands—sleeping on deck under a blanket of stars, anchoring off Santa Cruz and swimming in to hike the Island, joined by a school dolphins as we crossed in 7’ swells to San Miguel teeming with marine mammals and birds. What a trip!!! Love tall ships—the power of the wind in their sails…

    Reply
    • June 8, 2020 at 11:36 am
      Permalink

      Hi Carole. Please, what was the name of the Captain of your journey aboard the Swift of Ipswich? I ask, because I was handed down an ink framed drawing of the Swift from my parents. It is hanging on the wall as I write this. A card attached to it says “Captained by Headley 1973”. He may have been a cousin of mine… Mike

      Reply
      • December 11, 2020 at 3:29 pm
        Permalink

        Hi Mike, I am curious during which years your cousin was Captain. I was a Mariner Girl Scout and spent my 16th birthday on the Ipswich and many fun days camping on one of the Channel Islands, I think Santa Cruz, with other Mariners. The crew made sure my birthday was special. This was 1968. Do you think he was Captain then? I had forgotten the name of the ship but just found a postcard from the day. Janet

        Reply
      • March 27, 2023 at 12:09 pm
        Permalink

        I crewed on board the Swift of Ipswitch (via a 3-day Channel Island Sierra Club cruise) with Capt. Richard Headley in Oct., 1973.

        Reply
      • October 28, 2023 at 11:00 am
        Permalink

        My friend Tom Hennessy captained the Swift out of Santa Barbara 1974. He loved the Swift and went on to get an any tonage any waters license.

        Reply
  • June 15, 2021 at 5:46 pm
    Permalink

    I have old photos from ,1938-39 of the Swift of Ipswich from an old scrapbook of my father’s during a time he was at the Essex Boat Works in Essex, CT. I wonder if the LA Maritime Institute would have any interest.

    Reply
  • June 19, 2021 at 12:50 pm
    Permalink

    In 1965, I was a crew member on the Swift sailing out of Santa Barbara. Bill Irvine was captain at the time & two of the crew members I sailed with were Fred bonde & Dave Jones (?). We sailed the southern California Coast from Santa Barbara to Long Beach and took charter groups to the Channel islands including Catalina. Great memories of those trips!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Jana Jopson Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *