“High Seas” was commissioned and built at Simms Brothers boatyard in Dorchester, Boston, Mass., in 1935. It was the first boat built under the Simms Brothers name. She was designed by the World-Famous Naval Architect John G. Alden. The vessel was originally named "Espada" (Meaning “sword” in Spanish), and was commissioned and built for Harry Warren (Salvatore Antonio Guaragna 1893-1981) the composer, lyricist, eleven-time Academy Award and three-time Oscar winner. Mr. Warren was most famously known for his songs "That's Amore" and the "Chattanooga Choo Choo" which was the first Gold Record in history. His music was featured in over 300 films. ​

The vessel was originally used by Mr. Warren as a pleasure craft and off-shore sport-fisher. She was moored at the famous Manhattan Yacht Club (New York) from 1935 to 1937. In mid-1937, Mr. Warren moved to Hollywood full-time and sold the boat to his longtime friend Lester McGill (Industrialist). The vessel remained in the New York area until November 30, 1943 (two days after the Tehran Conference between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill) when she was sold to C.P. Aubry, and moved to Newport News, VA.