Christina O
{{Short description|Luxury yacht built in 1943}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| display title = ital }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Yacht CHRISTINA O.jpg | Ship caption = Christina O in 2018 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship name = * 1998–present Christina O
| Ship operator = | Ship registry = | Ship route = | Ship ordered = | Ship builder = Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal | Ship original cost = | Ship yard number = | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = 23 December 1942 | Ship launched = 14 July 1943 | Ship completed = | Ship christened = | Ship acquired = | Ship maiden voyage = 1943 | Ship in service = 1943 | Ship out of service = | Ship identification = * {{IMO Number|8963818}}
| Ship fate = | Ship status = | Ship notes = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = 2250 tonnes | Ship length = {{convert|325|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|36|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = {{convert|14|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship sail plan = | Ship power = {{ubl|2× {{cvt|2775|bhp|order=flip}} main engines|3× 476 kW generators|1× 176 kW emergency generator}} | Ship propulsion = | Ship speed = {{convert|19|kn}} | Ship capacity = 34 | Ship crew = 39 | Ship notes = }} |
Christina O is a private motor yacht that once belonged to billionaire Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis. At 99.13 metres long, she was the 59th largest yacht in the world {{As of|2022|lc=y}}.{{cite web|title=Top 100 Largest Yachts|url=http://www.superyachts.com/largest-yachts/worlds-largest-yachts-live.htm?property_length_type_id=1&p=3|website=Super Yachts|access-date=27 October 2022|archive-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723122513/http://www.superyachts.com/largest-yachts/worlds-largest-yachts-live.htm?property_length_type_id=1&p=3|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.onassis.org/people/aristotle-onassis|title=Aristotle Onassis: The life and achievements of the man who became the quintessential cosmopolitan business magnate of the twentieth century|access-date=1 January 2021|website=Onassis Organization|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504134620/https://www.onassis.org/people/aristotle-onassis/|archive-date=2021-05-04}}{{cite web|author=Aristotle Onassis|date=1959|title=Greece: Shipping Magnate, Onassis Cruises|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/VLVA9OTACRJKHSAT3ELNMBTLLKU7A-NEWS-30-7-1958/query/Aristotle+onassis|access-date=2021-05-10|type=Motion picture|location=Greece|website=British Pathe}}{{cite web|url=http://mariacallasexperience.com/|url-status=dead|title=The Maria Callas Experience onboard the legendary Christina O yacht (archived)|website=Maria Callas Experience|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205144853/http://mariacallasexperience.com/experience1.htm|archive-date=2012-02-05|quote=A bespoke recital of operatic classics with a storyline of the life of Maria Callas by some of Europe's renowned Bel Canto Sopranos including Nelly Miricioiu, (20 & 21 May, 3, 4 & 5 June) Claire Rutter (22 & 29 May) and Mary Plazas (27 & 28 May). During the voyage a tour of the yacht will reveal all the secrets that she has witnessed over the years.}}
History
The ship originally served as a Canadian anti-submarine {{sclass2|River|frigate}} {{HMCS|Stormont|K327|6}}, launched in 1943. Stormont served as a convoy escort during the Battle of the Atlantic and was present at the Normandy landings.{{cite web|url=https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/historical-sheets/d-day|title=Canadian Participation on D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy|date=6 March 2019|website=Veterans.gc.ca|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225074719/https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/historical-sheets/d-day|archive-date=2021-02-25}} Onassis purchased Stormont after the end of World War II as naval surplus, at a scrap value of US$34,000. He spent US$4 million to convert the vessel into a luxury yacht, the first postwar superyacht.{{Cite magazine |last=Osnos |first=Evan |date=July 25, 2022 |title=The Floating World |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/25/the-haves-and-the-have-yachts |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 22, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker |page=36 |language=en-US}} He named it after his daughter Christina.
Christina O set a new standard for lavish personal yachts, especially amidst the austerity of post-war Europe. The yacht was remodelled by architect Cäsar Pinnau,{{cite web|url=https://www.yachtsinternational.com/yachts/christina-o-rebirth-of-a-legend|title=Christina O: Rebirth Of A Legend|url-status=dead|author=Marc de Charentenay|website=Yacht International|date=8 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030222924/https://www.yachtsinternational.com/yachts/christina-o-rebirth-of-a-legend|archive-date=2020-10-30}}{{cite web|url=https://itboat.com/en/companies/93-caesar-pinnau|title=Cäsar Pinnau 1906–1988|url-status=live|website=ITBOAT|access-date=2021-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501224704/https://itboat.com/en/companies/93-caesar-pinnau |archive-date=2021-05-01}} who made full use of the ship's size and powerful naval engineering systems to create large, ornate interiors and elaborate luxuries. These included swimming pool with a mosaic bottom that rose to become a dance floor, a children's dining room designed and painted by the illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans, as well as ostentatious displays of wealth reflected in bar stools upholstered in whale foreskins and whales’ teeth carved into pornographic scenes from the Odyssey.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45ffjfm/onassis-yacht-playroom/|title=More than Madeline Onassis Yacht Playroom – Ludwig Bemelmans|url-status=live|website=Forbes|date=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708012313/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45ffjfm/onassis-yacht-playroom/ |archive-date=2014-07-08}}{{cite web |last=Cascone |first=Sarah |date=14 July 2014 |title=New-York Historical Society Fetes Ludwig Bemelmans's Plucky French Heroine |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/new-york-historical-society-fetes-ludwig-bemelmanss-plucky-french-heroine-57311 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913082545/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/new-york-historical-society-fetes-ludwig-bemelmanss-plucky-french-heroine-57311 |archive-date=2014-09-13 |website=Artnet}}
A competitive rivalry with Stavros Niarchos likely drove some decisions around the purchase and outfitting of the ship by Onassis.
After her 1968 marriage to Onassis, Jacqueline Onassis selected a pastel color scheme and decor in all of the cabins.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/3118-famous-yacht-christina-o-docks-in-front-of-lokrum|title=Famous yacht Christina O docks in front of Lokrum island in Croatia|date=19 September 2017|first=Mark|last=Thomas|website=The Dubrovnik Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919025039/https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/3118-famous-yacht-christina-o-docks-in-front-of-lokrum|archive-date=2020-09-19}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rsmi.co/christina-o/|title=Motor yacht Christina O Canadian Vickers 99.13m|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Red Sea Management|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510011253/https://www.rsmi.co/christina-o/|archive-date=2021-05-10}}
Notable passengers
Apart from his mistress Maria Callas and his wife Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Aristotle Onassis entertained celebrities such as Umberto Agnelli, Giovanni Battista Meneghini (Callas' husband until 1959 when she left him for Onassis), Richard Burton, Clementine Churchill, Diana Churchill, Winston Churchill, Jacqueline de Ribes, John F. Kennedy, Greta Garbo, Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, Grace Kelly, Anthony Montague Browne, Rudolf Nureyev, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, J. Paul Getty, Eva Perón, Françoise Sagan, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Harry Saltzman, and John Wayne.{{cite news |last1=Lean-Vercoe |first1=Roger |last2=Boulton |first2=Peter |date=14 January 2015 |title=Iconic yachts: Christina O |url=http://www.boatinternational.com/yacht-features/iconic-yachts-christina-o/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601170815/http://www.boatinternational.com/yacht-features/iconic-yachts-christina-o/ |archive-date=1 June 2013 |access-date=16 March 2012 |journal=Boat International}}{{cite web|url=http://www.embelezzia.com/barcos-de-lujo/christina-o-el-mega-yate-de-recreo-de-lujo-de-aristoteles-onassis-a-la-venta|url-status=dead|title="Christina O", el mega yate de recreo de lujo de Aristóteles Onassis, a la venta|trans-title="Christina O", the mega luxury pleasure yacht of Aristotle Onassis, for sale|date=5 July 2013|website=Embelezzia|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009121500/http://www.embelezzia.com/barcos-de-lujo/christina-o-el-mega-yate-de-recreo-de-lujo-de-aristoteles-onassis-a-la-venta|archive-date=2014-10-09}}{{cite web|title=From 1958 to 1963 Winston Churchill made eight lengthy cruises on the private motor yacht Christina –later chartering yacht|url=https://winstonchurchill.org/publications/churchill-bulletin/bulletin-061-jul-2013/yet-another-churchill-haunt-for-sale/|url-status=live|website=Winston Churchill Organization|date=3 July 2013 |access-date=2021-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225074349/https://winstonchurchill.org/publications/churchill-bulletin/bulletin-061-jul-2013/yet-another-churchill-haunt-for-sale/|archive-date=2021-02-25}}{{cite episode|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week27/secret-mediterranean-trevor-mcdonald/|title=The Secret Mediterranean With Trevor McDonald – Episode 1|first=Trevor|last=McDonald|station=ITV|series=The Secret Mediterranean With Trevor McDonald|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507172929/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week27/secret-mediterranean-trevor-mcdonald/|archive-date=2021-05-07|quote=Episode 1: Trevor McDonald boards the luxury superyacht The Christina O – once owned by Greek tycoon Aristotle Onasis. It was on this boat that he seduced his future wife Jackie Kennedy and entertained Sir Winston Churchill.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/all-at-sea-with-the-magnate-and-the-diva-1839128.html|title=All at sea with the magnate and the diva|date=13 December 2009|website=The Independent|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510004639/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/all-at-sea-with-the-magnate-and-the-diva-1839128.html|archive-date=2021-05-10}}
In 1956 Rainier III and Grace Kelly held their post-wedding reception on Christina O.{{cite news |last=Mikelbank |first=Peter |date=2003-03-30 |title=For Rent: Floating Mansion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/329010578/ |url-access=subscription|access-date=2022-03-19 |website=St Petersburg Times |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Ownership
Onassis willed the yacht to his daughter Christina, with second wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis next in line. If neither was interested, the vessel would be turned over to the Greek government, on condition that it would be properly maintained and serve as presidential yacht. Upon Onassis' death in 1975, both women declined the inheritance.
The Greek government changed the vessel’s name to Argo, but allowed it to decay. It was put up for sale at US$16 million in the early 1990s. Unsold, an attempted 1996 purchase by American Alexander Blastos fell through when his deposit check bounced, later resulting in a wire fraud conviction.{{cite web |title=United States of America, Appellee, v. Alexander Blastos, Defendant, Appellant, 258 F.3d 25 (1st Cir. 2001) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/258/25/500271/ |website=Justia US Law |access-date=11 October 2024}}
The vessel was purchased in a 1998 government-sponsored auction by Greek shipping magnate John Paul Papanicolaou, an Onassis family friend. He reverted her name to Christina O,{{cite web|url=https://www.mychristinao.com|url-status=dead|title=Motor Yacht Christina O official website – archived link|access-date=2019-01-05|website=mychristinao.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105174707/http://www.mychristinao.com/index2.html|archive-date=2019-01-05}}{{cite web|title=Wedding party on-board on Jackie Kennedy' and Aristotle Onassis' superyacht Christina O|url=https://yachtharbour.com/news/heidi-klum-weds-on-jackie-kennedy--and-aristotle-onassis--superyacht-christina-o-3396?src=_pos_5|url-status=live|website=Yacht Harbour| date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503002715/https://yachtharbour.com/news/heidi-klum-weds-on-jackie-kennedy--and-aristotle-onassis--superyacht-christina-o-3396?src=_pos_5|archive-date=2021-05-03}}{{cite web|title=Christina O: the story of the most famous yacht in the world|url=https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/christina-o-story-famous-yacht-world/|url-status=dead|website=The Gentlemant’s Journal|date=2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118002123/https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/christina-o-story-famous-yacht-world/|archive-date=2021-01-18}}{{cite web|title=Jackie and Aristotle Onassis's Former Yacht Is Available to Rent|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/sporting/a26908607/jackie-kennedy-aristotle-onassis-yacht-for-rent/|url-status=live|website=Town and Country Magazine|date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319011254/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/sporting/a26908607/jackie-kennedy-aristotle-onassis-yacht-for-rent/|archive-date=2021-03-19}} in tribute to her namesake,{{cite news|journal=Power & Motoryacht|title=Megayachts: The Rebirth of Christina O|author=John Lassiter|date=August 2002|url=http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/rebirth-christina-o|page=1|access-date=11 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129144200/http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/megayachts/rebirth-christina-o|archive-date=29 November 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Superyacht of the week: The legendary Christina O|first=Jochem|last=Kaan|url-status=live|website=Super Yacht Times|url=https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-of-the-week-the-legendary-christina-o/|date=1 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808181624/https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-of-the-week-the-legendary-christina-o/|archive-date=2020-08-08}} who had died in 1988. A major refurbishment was carried out between January 1999 and April 2001.{{cite web|title=Luxury Yacht Christina O: 99M, 17 Cabins, 34 Pax, 34 Crew|url=https://www.worldwideluxuryyacht.com/en/yacht/christinao-motoryacht-308/|url-status=live|website=World Luxury Yacht|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503005334/https://www.worldwideluxuryyacht.com/en/yacht/christinao-motoryacht-308/|archive-date=2021-05-03}}{{cite web|title=The Onassis Family yacht is available to charter for the summer |url=https://www.tatler.com/gallery/princess-charlotte-best-pictures-and-photos|url-status=live|website=Tatler|date=17 April 2019|first=Annika|last=Purday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501213132/https://www.tatler.com/gallery/princess-charlotte-best-pictures-and-photos|archive-date=2021-05-01}}{{cite web|title=Aristotle Onassis' iconic yacht Christina O|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jackie-o-yacht-vintage-photos-celebrity-parties-the-christina-2019-4#once-renovations-were-complete-onassis-used-the-ship-as-an-office-residence-and-private-entertainment-venue-2|url-status=live|website=Business Insider|date=3 April 2019|first=Marissa|last=Perino|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503010051/https://www.businessinsider.com/jackie-o-yacht-vintage-photos-celebrity-parties-the-christina-2019-4|archive-date=2021-05-03}}{{cite web|url=https://www.morleyyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/motor-yacht-christina-o-yacht-brochure-morley-yachts-2018.pdf|title=Motor Yacht Christina O brochure 2018|date=12 March 2018|website=Morley Yachts|pages=1–23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510002729/https://www.morleyyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/motor-yacht-christina-o-yacht-brochure-morley-yachts-2018.pdf|archive-date=2021-05-10}} Naval architect Costas Carabelas was hired to spearhead the $50 million refit, engaging interior architect Apostolos Molindris,{{cite web|title=Molindris and Associates: M/Y Christina O|url= https://molindris.com/el/projects/marine-projects/296-m-y-christina-o/|url-status=live|website=Molindris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510221204/https://molindris.com/el/projects/marine-projects/296-m-y-christina-o/|archive-date=2021-05-10}} Decon as construction manager, and the Viktor Lenac Shipyard in Croatia to carry out the work.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestreet.com/lifestyle/hit-the-high-seas-like-ari-and-jackie-o-11212523|url-status=live|title=Hit the high seas like Ari and Jackie O|first=Michael|last=Martin|date=9 August 2011|website=The Street|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511155603/https://www.thestreet.com/lifestyle/hit-the-high-seas-like-ari-and-jackie-o-11212523|archive-date=2021-05-11}}
The Christina O Limited Partnership bought the yacht for €65 million in 2000.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/revenue-challenges-harris-tax-relief-on-yacht-1.895586|url-status=live|title=Revenue challenges Harris tax relief on yacht|date=20 February 2008|newspaper=The Irish Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513012710/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/revenue-challenges-harris-tax-relief-on-yacht-1.895586|archive-date=2021-05-13}} {{As of|2023}} Ivor Fitzpatrick, an Irish lawyer and businessman, owns the yacht,{{cite web|url=https://yachtbible.com/christina-o-yacht/|title=CHRISTINA O Yacht – Ivor Fitzpatrick’s Big $40M Superyacht|date=January 3, 2023|work=Yacht Bible}} which is available for charter.
Amenities
File:Hacker tender and Christina O.jpg tender and Christina O]]
Christina O has a master suite, eighteen passenger staterooms, and numerous indoor and outdoor living areas, all connected by a spiral staircase. Compared to a typical 21st century superyacht, her staterooms are small and Christina O lacks the indoor boat storage that is now standard; however, the number of living areas is large, and the amount of outdoor deck space is generous. The aft main deck has an outdoor pool with a minotaur-themed mosaic floor that rises at the push of a button to become a dance floor. Bar appointments once included whales' teeth carved into pornographic scenes from Homer's Odyssey. The bar stools in Ari's Bar retain the original upholstery crafted from soft, fine leather made from the foreskins of whales.{{cite web|url=https://dailyuknews.com/us-news/aristotle-onassiss-yacht-enjoyed-by-churchill-and-elizabeth-taylor-can-be-hired-for-545000-a-week/|url-status=dead|title=Aristotle Onassis's yacht enjoyed by Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor|date=6 May 2021|website=Daily UK News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507163823/https://dailyuknews.com/us-news/aristotle-onassiss-yacht-enjoyed-by-churchill-and-elizabeth-taylor-can-be-hired-for-545000-a-week/|archive-date=2021-05-07}}
Whilst owned by Onassis, Christina O was also notable for employing a seaplane for use as a supplementary tender. Over the years three different Piaggio P.136s have been used (G-AOFN, G-APNY later re-registered SX-BDB, and SX-BDC).{{cite web |title=Onassis' yacht with Piaggio G-AOFN, circa 1955 |url=https://www.edwardquinn.com/photos/details/?photo_id=46265 |website=edwardquinn.com |access-date=15 August 2024}}{{cite web |title=Photo of Onassis' yacht with Piaggio P136 G-APNY, circa 1958 |url=https://www.edwardquinn.com/photos/details/?photo_id=46270 |website=edwardquinn.com |access-date=15 August 2024}}
In popular culture
Christina O was prominently featured in the 2022 film Triangle of Sadness as the filming location for the second act.{{Cite web |last=Östlund |first=Ruben |date=2023-03-14 |title=Triangle of Sadness |url=https://cdn-medias.festival-cannes.com/uploads/2023/03/143929.pdf |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=Festival de Cannes}}
The yacht was rented as a filming location for the 2024 film Maria, a dramatization of the life of Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie.{{cite web |title=How Maria Recreated Maria Callas's Paris Apartment |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a63184293/maria-set-design-maria-callas-paris-apartment-interview-2024 |website=townandcountrymag.com |access-date=15 December 2024}}
See also
References
External links
- {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20200222190736/http://www.mychristinao.com/index2.html|mychristinao.com}} Archived from {{URL|http://www.mychristinao.com|the original}} on 2020-02-22