WILD GOOSE (yacht)
Why it's listed
Built in 1943 in Seattle as the wooden-hulled Navy minesweeper YMS-328, Wild Goose is a 126.5-foot vessel now moored at Newport Beach, California. Her double-planked Douglas-fir hull and twin diesel engines date from the war years, and the engine room remains almost unchanged. After leaving naval service in 1946 she passed through private owners and was converted to a yacht. Actor John Wayne bought her in 1962 and renamed her Wild Goose. His 1965 remodeling added staterooms, a custom salon and rooms for his children, and raised the overhead clearances to suit his height. Family and friends described the ship as his sanctuary and proudest possession, and cruises aboard her filled much of his family time until his death in 1979. Both of his houses from the period have been demolished, leaving the vessel as the surviving property linked to his acting years. She continues to operate as a charter vessel.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the vessel is significant under Criterion B for its association with actor John Wayne, who owned it from 1962 to 1979 and remodeled it to suit his tastes and family. It is described as his "proudest possession" and the only residential property still tied to his productive years as an actor. Because it is less than 50 years old in terms of significance, Criteria Consideration G is addressed.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000431, listed July 19, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2431 West Coast Hwy., Newport Beach |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | July 19, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000431 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1962-1979 |
| Architect / builder | Henry B. Nevins Yacht Builders (architect); Ballard Maritime Railway Company (builder) |
| Architectural style | Other: Yacht |
| Criteria |
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| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently moored at Newport Beach and operated as a passenger charter vessel; many World War II features and John Wayne's 1965 alterations survive. |
| Coordinates | 33.61915, -117.92186 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000431.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7875670
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.