The Puritan was built by the Electric Boat Co. in 1931 in Groton, names that will tell a lot to connoisseurs. Today the company, now called Electric Boat Division, is part of General Electric and builds nuclear submarines in Groton. Puritan, named for the defending America's Cup champion «» in 1885, was the brainchild of two great names from the golden era of sailing - John Alden who designed the hull and sailing equipment and John Manford who created the magnificent interior. Her steel hull is one of the first all-welded (not riveted) ship hulls in history, and the first among yachts. Her owner, a prominent American millionaire, was delighted with her performance and enjoyed her 10 years prior to the war. In 1941 Puritan was mobilized for military service and was hunted for submarines, after which she was sold for next to nothing to England. Restored in 1990, Puritan is back in all her glory as the restoration used authentic drawings and sketches from both designers.
