Crewman William Rasmussen and the Sultana

“S.Y. Sultana off Dartmouth, England. My second Home for 15 Years. World 3 Year Cruise.” William Rasmussen diary excerpts [photocopy]. MC.00.027 William Rasmussen diary, 1890–1912. Drexel University Archives. 20060580002_01.

William Rasmussen was a crewmember on John R. Drexel’s yacht, the Sultana. In Rasmussen’s diary, which he later translated from Danish into English, he wrote that he was employed on the ship for 12 years. Starting in 1890, he sailed on a 2-year and 9-month honeymoon with original owner Trenor L. Park and his new wife.

Rasmussen’s journal also includes a complimentary recommendation letter written by John R. Drexel and William’s recounting of several close calls and a run-in with an iceberg while working on the steamer ship Thingvalla.

John R. Drexel began using the Sultana during the summer of 1894, but when exactly he became the owner is unclear. The ship’s log in the Drexel University Archives documents a portion of Drexel’s ownership, detailing February 15–February 28, 1897, and some dates in July 1900. At some point, pages were ripped out. The last pages record a shipboard visit from Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein, Emperor Wilhelm II, and General Mortimer von Kessel.

Drexel’s life as an avid “yachtsman” on the Sultana was not without its sorrows. The Portland Daily Press reported on October 8, 1894, that the Sultana was flying its private signal flag at half-mast as John R. and Alice Troth Drexel began the trip back to Philadelphia. Their daughter Lillian Mae had died from meningitis.

William Rasmussen’s Diary of the Sultana-2060580001.pdf

William Rasmussen’s diary [photocopy] and transcript. MC.00.027 William Rasmussen diary, 1890-1905, bulk 1890–1892. Drexel University Archives. 2060580001.

“Log of the Yacht ‘Sultana’ 1897–1900” by John R. Drexel. 1897-1900. MC.00.071 John R. Drexel III and Alice Troth Drexel papers. Drexel University Archives. 20150520012.

Dinner Plate from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 A.

Salad plate from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 B.

Coffee cup from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 C.

Saucer from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 D.

Demitasse cup from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 E.

Demitasse saucer from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 F.

Bullion cup from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 G.

Bullion cup saucer from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 H.

Cordial glass from the Sultana, Yacht of John Rozet Drexel. 20th century. Cauldon Works Factory. The Drexel Founding Collection Drexel University 2011.009.0001 I.