Colleen's Unique History

The Motor Yacht Colleen is only 1 of 25 Blanchard Raised Deck Cruisers ever built by Blanchard Boat Works in Seattle. There are less than 10 surviving in existence today and Colleen is the only Blanchard in the South Eastern United States. She is a rare and magnificent example of American Maritime History.

The motor yacht Colleen, a Lake Union Dreamboat, was commissioned by Mr. D.L.Webster II in 1928 and was built by the N.J. Blanchard Boat Co. on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. Colleen was launched at the Blanchard yard in June 1929. 

Mr. Webster, Dean of Physics at Stanford University, selected the Blanchard 36, designed by Naval Architect Leigh Coolidge, for its handsome well proportioned lines and sea keeping capabilities. Leigh Coolidge was an accomplished designer, and a contemporary of Ted Geary another talented Naval Architect of the period. Coolidge and Geary collaborated on a number of designs. Coolidge is probable best known for his outstanding design of the 128 ft Miki tugs. Many of these strikingly handsome vessels were built of local wood in west coast shipyards and were much admired for their graceful lines, comfort and sea keeping ability. 

From Colleen's launch in 1929 until the declaration of War in 1941, Mr. Webster, his wife and four children cruised aboard Colleen every summer on the British Columbia coast and Alaska. The family would journey from San Francisco to Seattle where they would board Colleen, kept at the Blanchard boatyard. Over the years the Webster family cruised the Strait of Georgia and its many inlets, Johnston Straits and the central coast including the Queen Charlotte Islands and on to the glaciers in Alaska. They also circumnavigated Vancouver Island.