From the bottom of Boston Harbor, to a boatyard in California, to Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, the Cangarda has had a long voyage.

The 126-foot luxury steam yacht is at the shipyard for the next three weeks, where it will have its hull repainted. Its presence offers not only a glimpse into the past, but a look at a rare type of boat that was once in vogue.

The ship was built in 1901 at Pusey and Jones Shipyard in Wilmington, Del., and changed hands several times over the past 112 years.

In 1999, the Cangarda had what was almost its final voyage when it sunk in Boston Harbor.

But its hull was recovered and delivered to Jeff Rutherford in Richmond, Calif. Five years later, it was launched anew.

A century before its restoration, luxury steam yachts like Cangarda could be found throughout the world.

Now only three luxury steam yachts exist in the world; and Cangarda, which calls Islesboro home, is the only remaining American-built vessel, Rutherford said.

Rutherford oversaw the rebuilding of the yacht following its 1999 sinking in Boston Harbor. He is currently the boat owner's representative.

He said great work was put into reviving the unique boat.

“(When it first came to California) it was just a hull,” Rutherford said.

Even the hull had to be rebuilt, along with everything else. Its seven steam engines were rebuilt but original; the same engines that powered Cangarda in 1901 power it today.

Rutherford said he has frequently gone out on Cangarda. Even though he oversaw its resurrection he said he doesn't get too sentimental with his projects.

It has been two years since Cangarda was out of the water and Rutherford said the boat looked good, but it will still have a new coat of paint applied at the shipyard.

“We're still learning; you come across things that you need to fix when you are out on the big blue,” he said. “This is a great boat. It's very, very unique.”

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.