Selected Reprints


"His Beloved Aunt Polly"


by Ken and Bonnie Beatrice

Black and white photo of the Aunt Polly Once a well-recognized yacht on Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, the Aunt Polly was the pride and joy of William Gillette a very popular portrayer of Sherlock Homes. In 1932 the Aunt Polly unfortunately suffered the fate of fire and the ravages of time and tides.

The Aunt Polly was remodeled in 1903 to an overall length of 140 feet. The beam, (the boat's width), was 19 feet with a top speed of about 10 knots and had a crew of 8. The main saloon had a piano and a redbrick fireplace.

Among Gillette's guests onboard were Charlie Chaplin, Helen Hayes and Albert Einstein.

Very little survives of the skeletal remains, now in the Connecticut River's splash zone (shoreline). However, it can still be recognized as what was once a unique vessel. The Aunt Polly was moored at her dock at the shoreline below the Castle. During the winter months kerosene heaters were placed throughout the boat to maintain warmth to the interior. William Gillette loved cats and had many of them. Some were said to have been onboard the Aunt Polly and one may have overturned a heater that caused the fire and loss of the boat.

Bonnie Beatrice taking inventory and notes at the wreck of The Aunt Polly A field inspection was conducted in 2003 with now retired Connecticut State Archaeologist Dr. Nickolas Bellantoni and Historical Perspectives Inc. of Westport, Connecticut, among others with field assistance provided by FOSA members.

An exceptional booklet was written and published by Historical Perspectives Inc. of Westport, Connecticut titled 'His Beloved Aunt Polly'. This booklet provides the history and detailed description of the luxurious Aunt Polly. 'His Beloved Aunt Polly' is available at the Friends of Gillette Castle gift shop.

As an ongoing effort to maintain updated documentation of the Aunt Polly, observations and photographs were taken on August 11, 2021 by Ken and Bonnie Beatrice.

Photo shows the keel, ribs with planking and gunwale of the Aunt Polly The Aunt Polly is a State Archaeological Preserve. It can be seen along the Connecticut River shoreline during low tide near the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry Dock park/picnic area in East Haddam. To visit the site, walk to the Northern end of the park to the small sandy beach. The Aunt Polly's remains are along the shore's edge looking Southward.

Bring a picnic lunch and Enjoy the Day.

"Her Beauty is lost but not Forgotten"