“Sailing into history’s golden age—Leith’s steam yachts of 1870–1928.”
- The Loftsman
- Dec 19, 2025
- 1 min read
Step back into an era when elegance met engineering, and Scotland’s shipyards gave birth to some of the most magnificent vessels ever to grace the seas. Magnificent Steam Yachts of Leith, 1870–1928 is a richly detailed maritime history that uncovers the forgotten world of luxury steam yachts built in the bustling port of Leith.
Between the late Victorian age and the dawn of the Jazz Age, Leith’s master shipbuilders crafted floating palaces for aristocrats, industrialists, and adventurers. These yachts were more than ships—they were symbols of prestige, innovation, and the romance of the sea. My book traces their stories: from the design and craftsmanship that made them marvels of their time, to the voyages and owners that carried them across oceans and into legend.
With archival research, rare illustrations, and vivid storytelling, this work brings to life the glamour and grandeur of a bygone era. It is not only a tribute to Leith’s shipbuilding heritage but also a window into the social and cultural currents that shaped the age of steam.
Whether you are a maritime historian, a lover of Scottish heritage, or simply captivated by tales of opulence and adventure, this book offers a journey into one of the most fascinating chapters of nautical history. Volume 5 in the series will be at a good bookstore near you in April 2026.
Thanks for featuring my father's last vessel in the RAN - HMAS Franklin. It was originally built in 1906 as SY Adele for Henry Dutton in South Australia and bought off his estate by the Royal Australian Navy in 1915. It is pictured in 1920 on Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne as the personal transport of the-then Prince of Wales.
I have written up the complete history of this vessel as Adele/HMAS Franklin/HMAS Adele in Australia's Naval History Review of Volume 46 No. 24 - Dec 2025. This includes its time as the transport of the Australian Governor of New Guinea before World War 2.