"FAWAN" - A Significant Harbor Launch

Fawan is a new addition to the Tiedemann Collection of Historic, Antique and Classic Yachts. She is a unique and extremely rare 40' canoe stern aft cabin launch built in 1911. Her beauty and period details exude the character and charm of the "Golden Age". She is the ideal vessel for harbor tours, island junkets and cocktail cruises or as a special photo or staff boat for up to six guests. Fawan is the perfect vehicle for delivering a Bride and Groom or a group of VIPs to their waterfront event. You will be chauffered in grand style by our U.S. Coast Guard Certified Captain.

Her house and interior are Honduras mahogany with ebony and holly inlays and is adorned with beveled glass windows and three remarkable leaded glass spider web design windows. The cabin features a leaded glass breakfront with icebox below. An enclosed private head is located aft.

History: Results of the often fascinating research into Fawan's past have indicated that she was built for Mr. John Jacob Astor IV for use at his 3,000 acre estate, Ferncliff, on the Hudson River. According to our sources in Maine, her purpose was for excursions up and down the Hudson, visiting the many neighboring estates and to ferry the owners to their steam yachts. Fawan was launched on July 14, 1911. In September of 1911, the recently divorced J.J. Astor IV, wed Madeleine Talmadge Force, age 18. After their wedding at Beechwood in Newport, RI, the newlyweds departed for Ferncliff aboard their 262 foot steam yacht, Noma. It was on their return from a trip to Egypt in the spring of 1912 that John Jacob Astor IV died aboard the Titanic. Madeleine, who was pregnant with John Jacob Astor VI, survived.

In 1928, Fawan was discovered in a boathouse on Sebago Lake, Maine on the estate of Thomas A. Lamb. She was purchased by Mr. Clarence O. Case and kept on Sebago Lake until 1944 when it is believed a member of the Thurston family took her to Portland, Maine. From the late 1950s through 1990, Fawan was enjoyed by the family of Robert Roode in Newburyport, Massachusetts. For the last decade, she was owned by two couples on Seneca Lake in New York. Fawan was purchased in 2003 by Bob and Elizabeth Tiedemann and brought to Newport, RI, where she has undergone a major structural restoration.

We hope to learn much more about Fawan's intriguing history and would appreciate hearing from anyone that may have further information.