Log of Yacht Vamarie, 1938: Finding Aid

History of the Vamarie (Yacht)

Vamarie, a ketch-rigged ocean racing yacht designed by Jasper Morgan of Cox and Stevens, Inc., was built in 1933 at Bremen, Germany, by Abeking and Rasmussen, for S. Vadim Makaroff of Oyster Bay, Long Island. With Makaroff at the helm, the yacht participated in nine ocean races between 1934 and 1936, sailing over 30,000 miles. Donated to the Regiment of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy on November 11, 1936, Vamarie served as the Navy's racing yacht in local races in the Chesapeake Bay during the racing season in 1937. The following summer, on June 22, 1938, Vamarie was entered in the race from Newport, Rhode Island to Bermuda. Four days later, the yacht came in 18th out of 22 vessels in her class and 29th out of the 44 total entries. Under the command of Captain John F. Shafroth, Vamarie's participation in the race marked the first time a crew of Naval Academy Midshipmen represented the Academy in an ocean yacht race.

Vamarie participated in further local races into 1939. On March 8, 1940 she was classified IX-47. The yacht was officially assigned to the Naval Academy on October 22, 1940 and was placed in service on November 10, 1944. She operated under the auspices of the Severn River Naval Command until authorized for disposal on February 24, 1955. Struck from the Navy list on June 22, 1955, Vamarie was broken up in December of the same year.

Biography John Franklin Shafroth, Jr.

1887

• Born on March 31 in Denver, Colorado to Senator John F. Shafroth and Virginia Morrison Shafroth.

1904

• Appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Colorado.

1908

• Sets the Naval Academy high hurdle record.
• In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy.
• Attached to U.S.S. Virginia (Battleship: BB-13) and participates in the cruise of the Great White Fleet.

1910

• On June 6, commissioned Ensign.

1912

• In June, detached from U.S.S. Virginia for destroyer duty aboard U.S.S. Jouett (Destroyer: DD-41), U.S.S. Beale (Destroyer: DD-40), and U.S.S. Jenkins (DD-42), aboard the latter of which he served as Executive Officer.

1914

• In September, detached from destroyer duty for service in the Bureau of Steam Engineering.

1917

• On April 7, assumes command of U.S.S. Terry (Destroyer: DD-25).

1918

• In September, assumes command of Submarine Chaser Detachment 3.
• In the fall, assigned to temporary duty at Berehaven, Ireland.
• In December, returns to the United Sates.

1919

• In January, assumes command of U.S.S. Waters (Destroyer: DD-115), followed by commands of U.S.S. Upshur (Destroyer: DD-144) and U.S.S. Philip (Destroyer: DD-76).

1920

• In March, detached from command of U.S.S. Philip for duty at the Bureau of Steam Engineering.

1922

• In April, appointed Aide and Flag Secretary on the staff of Commander Special Service Squadron aboard U.S.S. Birmingham (Light cruise: CL-2).

1923

• In July, detached from the staff of Commander Special Service Squadron.
• In August, appointed Aide and Flag Secretary on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet aboard U.S.S. Seattle (Armored cruiser: ACR-11).

1926

• In May, completes the senior course at the Naval War College.

1927

• In June, completes a course at the Army War College and is subsequently attached to the faculty.

1928

• In June, attached to U.S.S. Arkansas (Battleship: BB-33) as Navigator.

1930

• In May, detached from U.S.S. Arkansas for duty as Head of the Planning Division of the Bureau of Navigation.

1933

• In June, attached to U.S.S. West Virginia (Battleship: BB-48) as Executive Officer.

1935

• In June, detached from U.S.S. West Virginia and subsequently assumes command of the station ship U.S.S. Reina Mercedes at the United States Naval Academy.

1938

• In June, captains the yacht U.S.S. Vamarie in a race from Newport to Bermuda, the first ocean yacht race in which Midshipmen represented the Naval Academy.
• In August, assumes command of U.S.S. Indianapolis (Heavy cruiser: CA-35).

1940

• In August, detached from U.S.S. Indianapolis.
• In September, assigned to the Bureau of Navigation.

1941

• In June, appointed Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Navigation.
• On November 2, promoted to Rear Admiral.

1942

• On January 6, assumes command of Cruiser Division 3.

1943

• In June, appointed Deputy Commander, South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force.

1944

• On March 7, appointed Inspector General, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas.
• On December 12, assumes command of Battleship Division 8.

1945

• On July 14, commands Task Group 34.8.1 during the first bombardment of the Japanese mainland.
• On December 1, reports as Commandant, Seventh Naval District at Miami, Florida, with additional duty as Commander Gulf Sea Frontier.

1946

• In July, reports as Commandant, Fifteenth Naval District at Balboa, Canal Zone, with additional duty as Commander, Panama Sea Frontier.

1948

• On April 27, appointed member of the General Board of the Navy.
• On June 30, relieves Vice Admiral Charles H. McMorris as Chairman of the General Board.

1949

• On April 1, transferred to the Retired List with the rank of Vice Admiral.

1967

• On September 1, dies in Westerly, Rhode Island.

Description of Contents

The Log of Yacht Vamarie, comprising 0.13 linear feet of documentation in a single volume of 27 leaves, spans from June 12 to July 5, 1938. The logbook is the product of a cruise, which began and ended in Annapolis, but centers on a yacht race between Newport, Rhode Island and Hamilton, Bermuda, which commenced on June 22. At the end of the volume is a description of the Vamarie.

The Vamarie, under the command of Captain John F. Shafroth, Jr., was crewed by Naval Academy Midshipmen, marking the first time that Midshipmen represented the United States Naval Academy in an ocean yacht race. Vamarie came in 18th out of 22 vessels in her class and 29th out of the 44 total entries.

Arrangement

The Log of Yacht Vamarie comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Log of Yacht Vamarie is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Captain John F. Shafroth in 1938. Accession No. 86784.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to the Vamarie in this repository can be found in Office of the Superintendent/Correspondence: General Correspondence, RG 405.2.1 Entry 39b.

Additional material pertaining to John F. Shafroth in this repository includes Shafroth's Midshipman Personnel Jacket and Alumni Jacket. Other sources of documentation on Shafroth include the Vice Admiral John Franklin Shafroth Papers at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and the Shafroth Family Papers at the Denver Public Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Log of Yacht Vamarie, MS 88

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

"Vamarie." Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Washington: Naval History and Heritage Command, 2015, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/v/vamarie.html.

Shafroth, John Franklin, Jr. Alumni Jacket, RG 405, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in April 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• United States Naval Academy -- School ships
• United States Naval Academy. Sailing Squadron
• Vamarie (Yacht)
• Yacht racing

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Ships' logs

Additional Creator/Author

• Shafroth, J. F. (John Franklin), 1887-1967