Ahoy, Pilgrim: Come Aboard the Wild Goose

The Wild Goose, one of the most recognizable boats in Newport Harbor, was owned by one of  Newport Beach's most famous residents: John Wayne. I've seen the exterior of the majestic WWII Minesweeper plenty of times, but recently I had he privilege of going aboard and getting an inside look at the vessel, now managed by Hornblower Cruises, that served as a place for recreation and refuge for the beloved movie cowboy who made his home by the sea.

I've always been curious about the Wild Goose while growing up in Newport. My grandfather was such a huge John Wayne fan and was always praising the actor as if he were more god than man. Finding out about the Wild Goose and hearing stories about Wayne from Shawn Ware, Associate Director of Marine Operations at Hornblower, was the perfect companion to my grandfather's accolades. 

The Wild Goose was built in Seattle during the first years of the United State's involvement in WWII (actually completely on May 26, 1943, Wayne's birthday). Coincidentally, its sister ship (sister ships are two similar ships built alongside each other) was The Calypso owned by Jacques Cousteau. Together, they were two most famous minesweepers of the 565 that were built.

"They really weren't meant to last. They would build them as fast as they could," said Ware. 

But the Wild Goose has lasted, in large part because of the care, time and money Wayne put into the vessel. Hornblower estimates that Wayne spent $500,000 to $1 million refurbishing the minesweeper. Included in the remodel: raising the ceilings to fit the Duke's 6'4" frame, adding staterooms, kids rooms and a wood-burning fireplace. 

Wayne didn't change much of the ship's interior.

"He kept a lot to the old war days," said Ware. 

Wayne bought the boat in 1962 for $112,000 from his friend, Seattle lumber tycoon Max Wyman, after vacationing on it several times.

Wayne entertained many celebrities on the Wild Goose, including members of The Rat Pack who each had their own stateroom aboard the ship. Severa; U.S. presidents were guests on The Wild Goose, including Ronald Reagan and Lyndon B. Johnson. 

There was a full-time crew of six, as well as a ship's nurse and stewardess. Bert Minshall, Wayne's captain for more than 17 years, still often stops by the Wild Goose to take a look at her. 

After the Duke's death in 1979 the boat was purchased by Lynn Hutchins, an attorney in Santa Monica. 

"In 1990 the boat was in huge disrepair. The owner couldn't afford it and it sat for three years in the L.A. Harbor," Ware said. 

Deil Gustafson, who owned the Tropicana in Las Vegas, also owned the Wild Goose.  Gustafson was in prison for having connections to the mob and money laundering. After his release, he insisted on finding The Wild Goose. He purchased the boat and put nearly $3 million into its refurbishment.  

"He was convinced John Wayne was still on the boat," Ware said, which is why Gustafson did not sleep in Wayne's stateroom. 

Hornblower has been managing The Wild Goose since 1993. They added a third deck where weddings and corporate events can take place. There are also paintings of Wayne throughout the boat by artist Frank Taurillo and Wayne's widow, Pilar Wayne. 

The Hornblower is currently dockside.

 "Once every two years we take her out for a few months for service," said Ware.

The ship will be out soon for public cruises so check Hornblower's Facebook page for schedules. In addition, the boat has brunch and dinner cruises open to the public.  Dockside tours of the ship are $25 per person. 

Wayne gave his final interview with Barbara Walters aboard The Wild Goose, filmed in 1978, but aired in January of 1979. Walters asked Wayne if he believed in the afterlife.

"My heart's gonna go where The Wild Goose goes," he replied.

Wild Goose Tales

Marlin Spiking: Ware told me how Wayne showed his appreciation to members of the armed services. He owned the boat during the Vietnam War and hired disabled veterans to work on it. There is a technique called marlin spiking (named for a tool used in ropework), you can see it on the hand-railing leading down to the engine room.

"It was real labor intensive. It would take a day just to do the railing." said Ware.

Wayne would pay a veteran to do the marlin spiking, then tell the crew to take it all off and hire another vet to do it again. 

Oscars and Eye Patches: In 1969, during his Oscar reign for True Grit (in which he one the award for Best Actor) Wayne attached Oscars on each side of The Wild Goose with eye patches on them. (He wore an eye patch in True Grit). 

Canadian Customs: John Wayne and his crew were stopped by customs in British Columbia. The crew was accused of smuggling liquor. Wayne had a rather large walk-in liquor cabinet on the Wild Goose. Customs poured out all the liquor including bottles of wine worth $300 to $400. After finding out who owned the boat, they nervously let the boat go. Nevertheless Wayne never returned to Canada until he was given an apology.

Adequate Wine: Although John Wayne's choice of liquor was tequila, he did like Chateau Margaux wine. Being a man's man, Wayne didn't want people knowing he favored this expensive wine so he had the labels peeled off and instead had labels with the ship's logo placed on them. When guests of the boat complimented the tasty wine on board, Wayne brushed it off saying it was Adequate wine, a very cheap merlot. 

Shaved Ice: On his first trip to Alaska in 1963, Wayne had the crew chip off ice from a glacier so he could have shaved ice for his cocktails. During a meeting with a top restaurateur in Alaska, he purchased a large walk in freezer with which he packed it full of glacier ice.

"Wayne use to say, the only reason he goes to Alaska is to get shaved ice for his cocktails," said Ware. 

Dressing Room: John Wayne loved his boat so much he used it as a floating dressing room. He would accept film roles based on their locations and if he could sail there. He accepted the role in Circus World just so he and his crew could sail to Spain and through the Mediterranean.