July 04

Irving Johnson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1905 and developed a lifelong passion for sailing. Together with his wife Electa, he commanded several voyages aboard the brigantine Yankee, completing four global circumnavigations between 1930 and 1955. Johnson chronicled his adventures in bestselling books and articles, inspiring a new generation of sailors and readers. He served as commodore of the New York Yacht Club and lectured widely on maritime history and seamanship. His work helped revive interest in traditional sailing ships and ocean exploration. Johnson's contributions to nautical literature and sailing culture endure through his published memoirs and films.