Vintage Bernard Co. Captains Uniform Hat - 1928 Nivens Commuter Yacht Salvage

Description

Vintage Bernard Cap Company Ship’s Captain uniform hat - Salvaged from a 1928 Nivens 75’ Commuter Yacht named “Cigarette”. The hat was recovered from the yacht’s bridge. Unfortunately, the yacht has been dismantled and no longer exist. You are purchasing not only the ship’s captains hat, but a piece of maritime history. The hat is marked, size 7. The hat is in overall nice condition. Shipped with USPS Mail. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Thank you for looking. I’ve added some additional historical information about “Cigarette” below.
Cigarette is probably one of the most famous and iconic of the New York Commuters, built for business tycoon Louis Gordon Hammersley and launched in 1928 from Henry Nevins Boatyard on City Island.
Louis had the good fortune to inherit seven millon dollars while still at college, he used this windfall to indulge his passion for speed. He owned several vessels named Cigarette and won the Presidents Cup Race on the Potomac in 1926, the cup presented by Calvin Coolidge.
His 1928 Cigarette was originally powered by a pair of 450hp Winton petrol engines and then later fitted with twin 3406 Caterpillar 350hp diesel engines together with bow and stern thrusters.
Louis kept Cigarette until 1931 selling her to William Deering Howe of New York, he changed her name to Nepenthe . She was sold again in 1947, the new owner, Henry Stadler of New Jersey changing her name to Philijean . In 1969 William Hampson of City Island bought Philijean when she was at the International Yacht Restoration School at Newport, Rhode Island. She was still in need of further restoration in the 1980’s and remarkably survived being broken up like so many other worthy vessels of her type. However she was saved and fully restored and re-named Cigarette. In 2021, after sitting unused for over 10 years she deteriorated to the point of no return and was unfortunately dismantled and scrapped. I sad ending to a beautiful vessel.