Since man first took to the seas, yachts have held a fascinating place in history. From current day jaw-dropping superyachts, to smaller yachts that have a tale to tell. Here we explore some of the most captivating yachts and superyachts in the world, both past and present.
2019: Superyacht Pi
One of the latest superyachts that has garnered the attention of the yachting world is M/Y Pi. Built by Feadship, and originally named Syzygy 818, this superyacht was among one of the stars at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show. Currently the largest yacht in the yacht charter market, among one of the superyachts most notable features are the exterior’s extraordinary use of double curvature structural glass and beautiful clean lines. Details are sparse on this stunning yacht, but we do know that she features a glass-bottomed pool, spa centre, and a voluminous beach club with two sea terraces. There is no doubt that this superyacht sets a new benchmark for yachting design and innovation.
2003: Superyacht Octopus
One of the most expensive superyachts in the world, Octopus is owned by the estate of the late American business magnate and co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen. Spanning some 126-metres this spectacular superyacht boasts two helicopter pads, a total of seven tenders, pool, and two submarines, one which was used by Google Earth for the ‘Explore the Ocean’ project. Launched in 2003 this superyacht is regularly used as a private yacht charter for scientific initiatives and exploration projects making it not only one of the most expensive but also one of the most state-of-the-art superyachts in the world.
1981: Superyacht Basrah Breeze
This 82-metre superyacht was the former yacht of dictator Saddam Hussain and is perhaps the only private yacht that boasts its own anti-aircraft missile-defence system (now dis-armed), along with other more obscure features including a fully equipped clinic with operating theatre, mosque, bulletproof windows, and a secret passageway to a mini submarine pod, designed to allow the dictator to leave in a hurry.
Firmly putting the hyphen in ‘dictator-ship’, this opulent superyacht was purpose-built for the former Iraqi president in Denmark in 1981, then named Qadisiyah Saddma. Since the dictator’s execution, according to reports, the superyacht has been in possession of the Saudi and Jordanian royal family. A legal entity incorporated in the Cayman Islands attempted to sell the superyacht, marketing it as “Ocean Breeze,” before a freeze was placed on the sale when the private yacht moored in Nice, France. Now called Basrah Breeze, the superyacht is now a hotel for pilots who guide shipping in and out of the port of Basra.
1969: Yacht Teignmouth Electron
Proving it’s not just superyachts that capture the world’s imagination, the Teignmouth Electron became a global sensation when in 1969 it participated in The Sunday Times Golden Globe, a non-stop single-handed sailing race around the world. The 41-foot trimaran was crewed by amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst who quickly realized that neither he nor the yacht were prepared for such an undertaking.
Faced with either dropping out of the race and facing financial ruin and humiliation, or possible death if he attempted the race, he opted instead to record increasingly elaborate fictitious logs, while remaining in the South Atlantic. His initial plan was to re-join the race on its way back to England, almost unnoticed in last place. However, his mental health quickly deteriorated, and his sailing yacht was found adrift and empty later the same year. The last page of his logbook noted “I have no need to prolong the game – It is finished IT IS THE MERCY.”
The private yacht changed hands numerous times, eventually coming to rest on a beach on Cayman Brac. Today, one of the most famous circumnavigation stories is re-told in the recently released film The Mercy, starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz.
1954: Royal Yacht Britannia
The former royal yacht of the UK’s Queen Elizabeth II, this spectacular superyacht was in service from 1954 until 1997, during which time she travelled more than a million nautical miles. The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to world leaders, kings and queens, celebrities, and VIPs, including Frank Sinatra, Nelson Mandela, Sir Winston Churchill and Liz Taylor to name just a few. Britannia has hosted four royal honeymoons and was even deployed in a rescue mission to help evacuate European nationals from South Yemen in 1986.
The superyacht is now a popular tourist attraction, permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith, Scotland.
1943: Superyacht Christina O
A luxury superyacht with a fascinating history. The Christina O was launched in 1943 and originally served as a Canadian anti-submarine River-class frigate known as HMCS Stormont. She served during World War II and was present at the Normandy landings and also acted as a convoy escort during the Battle of the Atlantic.
At the end of World War II billionaire Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis purchased the vessel, converting it into a luxurious superyacht, which he named after his daughter Christina. During his ownership, the superyacht welcomed a host of VIPs and world leaders, including John F Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and Greta Garbo. Upon Onassis’s death, Christina donated the superyacht to the Greek government, who renamed it Argo.
In 1998 the superyacht was purchased by John Paul Papanicolaou, also a Greek shipping magnate and family friend of Onassis, who spent some $50 million restoring it to its former glory.
1912: RMS Titanic
There are few people in the world that don’t know the story of this famed ship, making her one of the most famous yachts in the world.
Arguably one of the first superyachts, Titanic was operated by the White Star Line. The British passenger liner sank during her maiden voyage in the icy waters off the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg in 1912, killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew. At the time, she was one of the largest and most luxurious superyachts in the world.
The wreckage of Titanic was finally found in 1995 during a joint US French expedition, lying some 13,000 feet below the waves.
Which other famous, or perhaps infamous superyachts and yachts, would you add to this list?
Article by Joanna Lewis
