The first Glory of the Seas and Frank Prothero

The original Glory of the Seas, Donald McKay's last ship, was built in Boston 1869 and soon became one of the fastest clipper ships of all time. The Glory ended its days de-rigged and used as a barge, finding work in the Northwest around the time of WW1. Fourth generation shipbuilder Frank Prothero worked aboard the vessel after the war, and its handsome lines and deck layout made a lasting impression on him. At the end of the Glory’s career, Frank attended the ships’ burning at Fauntleroy, south of Seattle.and recalled thinking he would build a ship someday and name it Glory of the Seas. 

The Prothero shipyard

Though his great grandfather worked in Seattle shipyards since arriving from Wales in 1870, Frank, his brother Bob and a partner formed Prothero and McDonald Boat Co. in 1927. In 1929 they launched the 50' schooner Allure and Frank became the yard foreman in 1930. Over time they built tugboats, fish boats. power and sailing yachts. During WWII they made tugboats for the US Navy. In between jobs in the early 1950s, they built themselves a sleek, 65' gaff topmast schooner called Alcyone which launched in 1956. The yard closed in 1959 after building over 250 vessels, including the William Garden 42 ft pilothouse sloop and the 52 ft purse seiner Sierra Madre.

Construction of the vessel. 

Frank wasn’t ready to retire, and so in 1962 began making plans to build the ship he always wanted to build. In 1965 a keel was laid for the construction of a replica 1870 coastal trading, top mast schooner of about 60 tons gross. He wanted to build the ship using first rate materials and workmanship, instead of the plain style typical of a working schooner built in the nineteenth century. He used over 14,000 bd. ft. of teak, just in the construction of everything above the deck-beams, including the deck and deckhouses. Working mostly by himself, or with one helper, he launched his 87 ft. LOA schooner at Lake Union Dry-dock in 1986. Ten years later the Glory had been rigged and a 100 hp auxiliary diesel installed, and was commissioned in 1996, just before Frank passed away. The Glory remained moored at Lake Union Dry Dock under the care of Frank's son Bill Prothero, until sold in 2019. 

Saving the Glory of the Seas.

In the spring of the year Glory was put up for sale. A survey was performed at Lake Union and it was found that several planks and frames needed replacing due to rot from sitting in freshwater Lake Union, with little use for 32 years. The Glory was bought by an Australian who planned to repair the hull and finish the interior in Port Townsend. After sections of planking were removed on both sides to assess the current situation, the new owner balked at the million dollar estimate to rebuild the hull. The ship sat for 5 months and the decision was made to break the boat up due to the high cost of shipyard storage fees. Just before the ship-breakers arrived, the Glory was given to the newly formed Glory of the Seas non-profit foundation to support the restoration and community use of the vessel.

The ship:

• lwl 60'

• lod 65'

• loa 70'

• los 87'

• beam 18'

• draft 8'

• rig height 77'

• registered tonnage 50 net 57 gross

• displacement 130,000 lbs. light

• sail area 3,572 sq. ft. with all 9 sails

• berths 12 in 5 cabins and foc'sle

• aux. power 100 hp