Christian Radich
Christian Radich is a Norwegian three-masted full-rigged sailing ship built in 1937 as a training vessel for aspiring sailors, measuring 73 meters in length overall with a sail area of 1,360 square meters across 27 sails.[1][2] Named after the philanthropist Simeon Christian Radich (1822–1889), a sawmill manager from Halden who lived most of his life in Oslo and bequeathed funds toward the construction of a sail training ship despite never sailing himself, the vessel was constructed at Framnæs Mekaniske Værksted in Sandefjord to honor his passion for the sea.[3][1] Designed to accommodate 80–90 trainees in its orlop deck dormitories, along with facilities for galley work, carpentry training, and originally a machine shop, Christian Radich has served primarily as a sail training ship since its launch, fostering skills in seamanship and navigation.[1] The ship, with a gross tonnage of 663 tons and a displacement of 1,050 tons, can reach speeds of up to 14 knots under sail or 10 knots with its auxiliary engine, and it is crewed by 15–20 permanent members during voyages.[1][2] Throughout its history, Christian Radich has participated in numerous international events, including multiple Tall Ships' Races where it secured first-place finishes on corrected time, such as in 2009 (Gdynia to Saint Petersburg) and 2010 (overall from Antwerpen to Hartlepool), earning a reputation as one of Norway's premier sailing ambassadors.[1] From 1937 to 1998, it operated continuously as a dedicated training vessel; today, owned by the Christian Radich Sailing Foundation since 1998, it functions as a school ship for maritime students during winter months, while summers feature educational voyages, corporate charters, and public tall ship rallies.[2] Homeported in Oslo, the ship remains operational and offers opportunities for trainees aged 15 and older to experience authentic sailing adventures.[1]Overview and Specifications
Physical Dimensions
The Christian Radich is a three-masted full-rigged steel-hulled ship, designed with a traditional layout featuring multiple decks to support sail training operations.[4] Her hull measures 62.5 meters (205 feet) in length, extending to an overall length of 73 meters (240 feet) when including the bowsprit.[5][4] Key structural dimensions include a beam of 9.7 meters (32 feet) and a draught of 4.7 meters (15 feet), contributing to her stability as a large training vessel.[4] The displacement at full load is 1,050 tonnes, while her tonnage is rated at 663 gross tons (GT) and 198 net tons (NT).[1] From keel to the top of the main mast, the height reaches 37.7 meters, emphasizing her imposing silhouette among tall ships.[4] Internally, the ship's deck configuration includes orlop decks serving as dormitories, originally accommodating up to 80-90 cadets for berthing, though post-renovation capacity has been limited to a maximum of 80 to enhance comfort and safety.[1] This layout, combined with dedicated spaces for galley and workshop functions, underscores her purpose-built design for extended voyages.[1]| Dimension | Metric (Imperial) Value |
|---|---|
| Hull Length | 62.5 m (205 ft) |
| Overall Length | 73 m (240 ft) including bowsprit |
| Beam | 9.7 m (32 ft) |
| Draught | 4.7 m (15 ft) |
| Height (Keel to Mast Top) | 37.7 m |
| Displacement | 1,050 tonnes |
| Gross Tonnage | 663 GT |
| Net Tonnage | 198 NT |