Click image for larger view of the La Duchesse boat.

Boldt Yacht House

Wellesley Island & 1000 Islands Sites

Summer homes along the St. Lawrence seaway

Wellsley Island stop: LaDuchesse

Originated at Boldt Castle by George Boldt, hotelier. He built his castle on Heart Island for his wife, Louise. She died in 1904 as castle was finished. He built a largest yacht house at the time.

Boldt Castle

He collected boats among them La Duchesse: Houseboat 110 ft long 25 ft. wide, 2 stories high 100 years old.

1916 Bolt died, and family sold the house to Lifesaver millionaire, Edward John Noble. He let La Duchesse fall into disrepair and sink.

His neighbor, Andrew McNally bought the boat for $1.

He had it raised and over to the bay and beached it by his parent's house. He could not repair it due to the war at that time. Since then, it has been historically repaired. They replaced even the furniturings with original piano from the yacht house.

Teddy McNally, son, tells story.

Johnathan Watson, tours through.

Click image for larger view of boat.

Captain(s): Gary Magwood

Boat Name: Inward Bound

Sailboat

Sails to the Carribbean regularly. Survived cap-sizing in a huge storm.

Hitching a Ride from Wellesley Island to Kingston