John Wayne’s favourite boat Wild Goose has just been given historical protection by joining over 200 other boats on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hollywood legend owned the 136ft boat, which is anchored in Newport Beach, California, from 1962 until just before his death in 1979. According to Wayne’s biographies, it was his “sanctuary and proudest possession”.

The wood-hulled World War II era minesweeper has appeared on the silver screen in ‘the President’s Analyst’ and ‘Skidoo’, and also featured in 1960s TV show ‘the Man from U.N.C.L.E’.

Wild Goose is now owned by Hornblower Cruises.

“We wanted to preserve the history of the vessel,” explained Chandler Bell, director of Hornblower’s marine operations. “We felt the boat deserved it.”

View video footage of the Duke onboard Wild Goose below.