Yachts of yesteryear

This beautiful schooner yacht was designed by John G. Alden, of Boston,

Mass., and built in 1916 by George Lawley and Son, of Neponset, Mass.

Christened Amorilla, she was 83 feet overall, with a beam of 16 feet and

a draft of 9 feet. The sail area was 4,200 square feet.

By 1956, the schooner’s name was changed for the third time to Serena

when William H. Moran, of Newport Harbor Yacht Club, purchased her. Moran

actively raced Serena in local and offshore races for about eight years.

It was an inspiring sight to see Serena “booming” along on a reach with

all sails set, and reportedly doing 16 knots.In 1964, Serena was sold to

Bruce L. Danielson, of Long Beach. She went to her new homeport shortly

thereafter at Alamitos Bay. Serena eventually returned to the East Coast,

where it is believed, she is still in service.

--John Blaich, Corona del Mar resident, yacht historian and active sailor