Freedom - Builder and Owner History

Mathis Yacht Building Company ~ Camden, New Jersey~ 1926

Specifications: Model: Houseboat - Contract #: 181 - LOA: 103'.4" LWL: 97'.9"- Beam: 19' - Draft: 5' - Machinery (current): Twin John Deere Turbo Diesel 6125s - Cruising Speed: 13 Knots - Fuel (current): 1500 Gals Diesel (then gas) - Hull (current): Double-planked West System Laminated Douglas Fir on Steam Bent Laminated White Oak frames - (then) Long-Leaf Yellow Pine over Oak framing - Displ. 156 gross/136 net tons

Builder History: The Mathis Yacht Building Company was incorporated in Camden, NJ in 1910. The idea of V.P. John Trumpy, this division was formed specifially to build luxury yachts and operated independently from The John H. Mathis Shipbuilding Co. For the next 29 years, this unit prospered by delivering magnificent yachts and military craft during WWI and WWII. In 1939, John Trumpy became president of the firm, and in 1943 the company's name changed to John Trumpy & Sons Inc. and shortly thereafter moved operations Gloucester City, NJ. In 1947, Trumpy purchased Annapolis Yacht Yard, Inc. subsequently relocating to Eastport, MD. thus gaining direct access to Chesapeake Bay. For the next 27 years this legendary company continued building and launching grand yachts for the "Who's Who" of America. These prominent clients included the duPonts, Cadwaladers, Baruchs, Guggenhiems and the Cudahys, to mention a few. In 1974, the company closed its doors due to a lack of qualified wood workers and a variety of unfortunate circumstances.

Vessel History: John Trumpy designed Freedom (originally named Sunset) in 1926 for Albert J. Fay of Boston, MA. This yacht introduced the more efficient rounded (elliptical) fantail stern, a John Trumpy innovation. J.P. Donahue owned the yacht for much of the 1930's. In 1939, the boat was purchased by Herbert M. Plimpton and from 1950 -1970 was owned by Lewis M. Adams. Sunset was held in a Delaware Corporation and operated by The International Oceanographic Foundation from 1970 – 1973. In 1974, Sunset was sold to Eileen & Carl Rose and from 1976 -1981 the vessel was owned by the Meeting Place Ministries then the Fellowship Church and Ministries, Inc. From 1981- 2001 Ashley Howes of Pinhurst, NC became her steward. In 2002, a derelict, Sunset was purchased by Earl McMillen and Chuck Parish forming Yacht Freedon, LLC and renamed her Freedom. On May 9, 2009, following nearly 5 years of work Freedom emerged from a spectacular $7 million restoration. As of this remarkable relaunch, she proudly sails under the colors of McMillen Yachts.