On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:23:18 -0800, Joe wrote:

Varuna:

Eugene Higgins (1860-1948) was heir to his father Elias's New York City
carpet manufacturing fortune--an estimated fifty million dollars--and
according to the society pages, he was not only the wealthiest bachelor
in New York, but also the most handsome. (12) Higgins sold the family
business shortly after assuming control of it in 1889, which allowed him
to devote his attention to more leisurely pursuits. (13) He was a
devoted golfer, cross-country rider, fisherman, hunter, coach racer,
yachtsman, and fencer. In 1890 he won the American fencing championship,
and his yacht, Varuna, named for the Hindu god of the ocean, was
declared the most modern vessel of its kind. (14) A celebrated host,
Higgins planned "sumptuous pleasure campaigns" in advance of each season
for his elite circle of friends, and his town house at Fifth Avenue and
Thirty-fourth Street, and country estate in Morristown, New Jersey, were
regarded as "meccas of high society."

Also, "The Varuna was wrecked off the coast of Madeira on November 17,
1909, and although all but one of the crew was saved none of the contents
survived. "

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...n16068356/pg_2