Istanbul, Turkiye
Istanbul, Türkiye
Istanbul is defined and surrounded by water; the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Late in 1932, Hiawatha, a 50-foot motor launch built by American Car & Foundry in Wilmington, Delaware, arrived in the world’s only city to straddle two continents to support the U.S. Mission to Türkiye. Hiawatha went to work, shuttling America’s envoys from one side of Istanbul to the other as well as meeting U.S. ships as they arrived in port.
With a single captain, Naci Gülten, for its first 50 years ending in 1982, Hiawatha became one of the best known vessels on the strait. Nearly a century later, Hiawatha – much like Longfellow’s romantic ode for which it was named – has become legendary. Hiawatha is the oldest and longest-running ship of its kind sailing from the Golden Horn, passing İstanbul’s iconic sites.
The plucky vessel, brass fittings gleaming, became a constant American presence as the ancient city grew into a modern metropolis. Today, we celebrate Hiawatha’s storied history as we look to secure her future.
When Istanbul’s first bridge spanned the Bosphorus in 1973, the practical need for Hiawatha diminished. In the 1980s, Hiawatha hit choppy waters due to federal budget cuts. Dedicated Consuls General, Bill Rau and Tom Carolan, worked with the Consulate’s employee association to save Hiawatha from risking the auction block. Then in 1989, a terrorist group, aware that Hiawatha symbolized U.S.-Turkish friendship, firebombed the boat. Badly burned but still sound, an extensive renovation under the expert direction of philanthropist Rahmi Koç, with whom the Consulate has had a lengthy and steadfast partnership, saw the Hiawatha beautifully restored and returned to service.
With a spirited character and American flag snapping in the breeze, Hiawatha has survived many trials to continue inspiring Istanbul’s ship-spotters and those lucky enough to view the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from her gently rolling deck.
Like Chief Hiawatha, whose diplomacy brought peace to the North American Great Lakes, the vessel that bears his name has become a diplomatic legend of her own—plying the Bosphorus for four generations and flying both nations’ flags as a symbol of friendship.
User fees alone cannot meet the cost of maintaining and periodically refitting a historic operating wooden vessel. The $2 million preservation endowment will provide predictable support for annual maintenance and periodic refits. Completing the campaign in early 2027—the centennial year of U.S.–Türkiye diplomatic relations—will secure Hiawatha’s future through her own centenary in 2032 and beyond. The endowment will ensure:
Please consider contributing to this legend as she sails toward her centenary of diplomatic service! Every gift matters!
Anonymous (1)
EAE Group
Kalyon Holdings
Ozen Kuzu
Anonymous (1)
Suleyman Ciliv, President, 77 Construction
Eczacıbaşı Holdings
Fiba Group
Muhtar Kent, Retired Chairman & CEO, The Coca-Cola Company
Olka Spor
Şekerbank T.A.Ş.
Anonymous (1)
Alarko Group
Çalık Holding
TEB Bank
Mehmet Ali and Arzuhan Yalçındağ
Anonymous (1)
Marc Grossman and Mildred Patterson
Desan Deniz Insaat Sanayi A.S (an affiliated company of Kaptanoglu Shipping Group of Companies)
Cargill
Nurdan Erbuğ
Sandra and Scott Oudkirk
Jan and Scott Kilner
Jess L. Bailey and Capie A Polk
Deborah and Jonathan Mennuti
Marie and Frank Ricciardone
Anonymous (2)
Alice Burley
Courtney & Ben Hood
Virginia Kennedy
Lilia and Michael Lally
Anonymous (1)
Allen Beck
Timothy Betts
Bruce Connuck
Duygu Dalkanat Sezercan
Daria Darnell
Davies & Ongor Families
Maria Davydenko
Lawrence Foster
Chuck Hunter
Pauline Manos
Lincoln McCurdy
Nabil Moukadem
Andrew Nelson
Kate and David Panetti
Cynthia Richards
The Tracey Family
* Reflects donations as of July 27, 2026.
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Consider contributing to this legend as she sails toward her centenary of diplomatic service. If you, or your company or organization, are interested in joining this effort, please contact Hiawatha@FundtoConserve.org for more information or donate now by clicking the button here. Book “passage” as a champion of Hiawatha today!