circle line downtown was established by president j.b. meyer, third generation owner and operator of the family that founded the company and circle line sightseeing cruises brand. in 1953, frank barry, gerald o'driscoll, helen mitchell, william moran, and frank clair founded circle line, the nautical sightseeing operation, providing cruises which circled manhattan. the company's fleet was then a collection of modified craft, including surplus landing crafts from world war ii, retired coast guard cutters, and private yachts.