Lot Essay
Aphrodite was designed in Bath and built by the Bath Iron works in 1898, and was one of the largest yachts built in the United States. Her first owner, Oliver H. Payne had her for 19 years until he turned her over to the Navy. She, with Corsair, Noma, and Kanahwa, comprised the group of yachts of the Breton Patrol whose range and sea-keeping abilities permitted their use on extended operations. Around 1910 her yards and sails were removed and her pole mast substituted for the fitted ones.