SIELE (motor yacht)
Also known as: Sea Wolf; USS Aquamarine; Miss Ann; 5-10
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Why it's listed
Miss Ann is a 124-foot steel-hulled diesel yacht that carries guests of the Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia. She was launched in 1926 as Siele at the Pusey and Jones Shipyard in Wilmington, Delaware, to a design by naval architect B.T. Dobson, for Detroit industrialist John H. French. Her hull is speed-riveted Norwegian steel, with teak decks and cabin house and walnut paneling. After private use on the Great Lakes, she was sold to the U.S. Navy in 1941 and became USS Aquamarine. She served the Naval Research Laboratory with underwater sound, radar and mine detection experiments, and escorted the presidential yachts Potomac and Williamsburg. Enols A. Stephens bought her in 1952 and rebuilt her as a passenger vessel. A 1991-1992 rehabilitation replaced deteriorated steel below the waterline while keeping the original woodwork above. She is considered one of few surviving American-built steel diesel yachts of her kind.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Miss Ann is one of only a few surviving American-built, steel-hulled diesel yachts and an example of American shipbuilding craftsmanship. It also cites her World War II service as USS Aquamarine, a Naval Research Laboratory underwater sound research vessel and tender to the presidential yachts Potomac and Williamsburg. Her long local role as a passenger vessel on the Rappahannock River is noted as well.
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 98001310, listed November 12, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Tides Inn, Carter Creek, Irvington |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | November 12, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001310 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1926-1945 |
| Architect / builder | B.T. Dobson/Naval Architect; Pusey and Jones Shipyard |
| Architectural style | Other: Steel Hulled Diesel Yacht |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Military |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a passenger vessel for the Tides Inn since 1956, certified in 1992 to carry up to 100 passengers after a 1991-1992 rehabilitation; original teak decks, cabin house and main-deck walnut paneling remain. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.66334, -76.43331 (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 98001310.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7867352
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.