An 116-year-old boat that served in World War I before ferrying passengers to Ellis Island now has rooms available for rent — take a look inside the quirky home

Elana KleinMar 21, 2023, 19:06 IST

Owner Victoria MacKenzie next to the Yankee.Elana Klein

Built in 1907, the Yankee transported immigrants to Ellis Island and served in both world wars.
Now docked in Staten Island, New York, its owners are renting out its bedrooms for $1,849 a month.

Docked off Staten Island, New York City, the Yankee ferry is "one of the most historically significant ships in the United States," according to its owners.

The Yankee.Elana Klein

The couple is renting out bedrooms on the 150-foot ferry, offering rentals on a short-term and a long-term basis.

The view from the cargo deck on Yankee.Elana Klein

The Yankee started off as "the fanciest ferry boat of her ilk," according to MacKenzie. Its interior was covered in mohair velvet and mahogany.

Inside Yankee.Courtesy of Victoria MacKenzie

The boat went on to serve in both world wars. It was renamed the Machigonne in World War I.

Yankee during WWI.Courtesy of Victoria MacKenzie

In between its work with the Navy, the boat played a key role in transporting immigrants to Ellis Island.

Immigrants arriving at Ellis Island aboard the Machigonne, on August 21, 1923.Underwood Archives/Getty Images

After World War II, Yankee was once again used for leisure.

Yankee Ferry's exterior.Elana Klein

Victoria MacKenzie and Richard Childs acquired the boat in 2001, and they initially intended to use it as an art studio.

Childs and MacKenzie on Yankee.Courtesy of Victoria MacKenzie

Now they're looking for people to join them in this one-of-a-kind floating home. The eccentric upper passenger deck is emblematic of their unique style.

Some of the couple's unique additions to Yankee.Elana Klein

The couple's creative style is reflected in the boat's main salon as well.

The boat's main salon.Elana Klein

Another seating area features a large decorative ball made of fabric, created by MacKenzie.

A fabric ball in the seating area.Elana Klein

Baskets hang from the ceiling of the full kitchen.

The kitchen on Yankee Ferry.Elana Klein

Passengers can see views of the calm water from the kitchen sink.

View from the kitchen on the Yankee Ferry.Elana Klein

Each bedroom on Yankee is unique.

A bedroom on Yankee Ferry.Elana Klein

Above the bed, a painting of the couple and their daughter was repurposed as a canopy.

A painting of Victoria, Richard, and their daughter used as a canopy on one of the beds.Elana Klein

This bedroom, which features porthole windows, is one of the rooms available for rent.

A room for rent on Yankee.Elana Klein

On the other side of the room, there's a set of bunk beds and more storage.

A set of bunk beds in the "Boat Boy/Boat Girl Cabin."Elana Klein

Guests can also choose to sleep next to the ship's engine.

A bed next to the boat's engine.Elana Klein

Renters also have access to the ship's cargo deck.

Cargo deck.Elana Klein

The walls of the cargo deck are covered in black-and-white photos detailing the ship's rich history.

A wall of historic photos of Yankee, in chronological order.Elana Klein

The suitcases on the cargo deck, which the couple uses for storage, resemble the ones immigrants brought to Ellis Island.

Suitcases on the cargo deck used for storage.Elana Klein

The ship is also home to some of the couple's quirky designs, such as a wreath of shells.

A wreath Richard made out of shells from shellfish on the Yankee Ferry.Elana Klein

MacKenzie turned broken pieces of glass into a dangling piece of art that hangs on one of the kitchen's windows.

A curtain Victoria made out of broken glass found around the Yankee Ferry.Elana Klein

Along with new designs the couple adds to Yankee, the ferry also features various beloved artifacts from their past.

An old toy of Richard's hangs above a bed on the Yankee Ferry.Elana Klein

Renters also have access to the outside deck when the weather permits.