The Selina II Chronicles – Part IV: Five Generations, One Yacht
The Selina II Chronicles – Part IV: Five Generations, One Yacht
Few vessels can claim the kind of continuity Selina II enjoys. Built in 1926 for Samuel Ainsworth Hird, she has remained in the same family for nearly a century. What began as one man’s vision has become something even more meaningful: a powerful example of women’s leadership and multigenerational stewardship in a field that has long been male-dominated.
This is the story of Five Generations, One Yacht — and the remarkable line of women who have kept both the boat and the name Selina alive.
A Matrilineal Legacy Spanning Six Generations
The name Selina has been passed down through at least six generations of women in the family. It began with Selina Ainsworth, who immigrated in 1870 and married Samuel Hird. Their son, Samuel Ainsworth Hird, commissioned Selina II in 1926 and named her in honor of that family tradition.
The name continued through his daughter Esther, who named her own daughter Selina Iris Hunt Robertson — better known as Captain Iris. Today, the fourth generation is led by Iris’s niece, Selina Marjorie Truelove, and her husband Jeff. Their daughter, Selina Jane Truelove (born 2019), represents the fifth generation and carries the name forward.
In an era when women were often sidelined in maritime affairs, the women of this family have played central roles in Selina II’s story — from Mildred Flower Hird’s early influence on the boat’s design to Captain Iris’s decades at the helm. Their leadership stands as a quiet but powerful thread of resilience and equality.
Women Captains: Breaking Ground Then and Now
Even today, sailing and captaining commercial vessels remains a male-dominated field. That makes the women who have guided Selina II especially noteworthy. Captain Iris Robertson spent more than two decades caring for the boat and operating her as a charter vessel. Today, Captain Luna Crowley, another accomplished woman captain, continues that tradition.
For many modern women travelers — including solo women or those seeking empowering experiences — sailing aboard Selina II offers something special. Guests often comment on how meaningful it feels to be on a vessel with such a strong female legacy, guided by skilled women captains. Whether it’s trimming sails, learning basic navigation, or simply feeling the confidence that comes from being on the water, the experience provides hands-on learning in a supportive, intimate environment.
From Past to Present: A Thoughtful Transition
When it came time to pass the boat forward, the family made a deliberate and sustainable choice. Selina Marjorie Truelove and Jeff Truelove now oversee Selina II. Rather than taking on full-time operations themselves, they lease the boat to Captain Luna Crowley. This model generates income for ongoing maintenance, keeps the vessel actively sailing in her home waters around Greenport and Shelter Island, and ensures she remains a living part of the family legacy without becoming a burden.
The fifth generation — young Ernest Truelove (an avid sailor) and his sister Selina Jane — are already growing up with the boat. The family’s hope is that they will one day choose to carry the tradition forward in whatever way feels right to them.
A Proud Legacy and an Optimistic Future
Selina II represents both resilience and progress. She has endured because each generation made intentional choices to preserve her. At the same time, the prominent roles played by the women in this family reflect broader themes of equality and empowerment that continue to resonate today.
As Selina II sails into her second century on the East End of Long Island, she offers more than beautiful sails and historic charm. She offers a space where women travelers can feel seen, empowered, and connected — whether enjoying a solo adventure, a mother-daughter getaway, or a small group experience filled with hands-on learning and quiet confidence on the water.
Five generations. One yacht. And a legacy that continues to inspire.
