Elegant Yacht Life: J.S. Morgan Aboard MAINE, 1915-1920

This striking photograph features J.S. Morgan, a prominent industrialist, aboard his yacht, the Maine, between 1915 and 1920. Morgan, known for his influential role in finance and his work in the steel and railroad industries, was part of a wealthy elite that shaped American industry during this transformative period. The yacht itself reflects the eras maritime leisure culture and the burgeoning interest in recreational boating among the upper class.

Captured by a photographer from the Bain News Service, this glass negative reveals a slice of life from the early 20th century. The Maine not only served as a personal vessel for Morgan but symbolizes the status associated with ownership of luxury yachts at the time. These opulent boats were often used for social gatherings and were a hallmark of the affluent lifestyle that defined much of the Gilded Age and the start of the Roaring Twenties. This image is a snapshot of a time when the lines between industry, wealth, and leisure began to blur, highlighting the ambitions and pursuits of Americas power brokers.