Christian Radich
is a well-known Norwegian full-rigger, built in 1937 in Sandefjord.
The ship was named after Christian Radich, a Norwegian businessman who bequeathed money for the construction of a training ship to educate young seafarers. .
Christian Radich's story begins long before the ship was built in 1937. In 1878, Norway was the world's third largest maritime nation. The need for training seafarers was great. At this time, there was a great social commitment among Kristiania's citizens, and it was needed – because poverty was great. Five good citizens of the town established a "Committee for the Purchase of Ships for Boys Destined for Seamen".
Christian Radich is number 4 in the line of training ships with Oslo as their home port, built at Framnæs Mek. workshop in 1937. The common vessel around the turn of the century was sailing ships, which is why the sailing ship continued as a training ship type even later.
The man Christian Radich was concerned with giving young people training to become proper seafarers and bequeathed kr. 90.000,- kr ( 9000 dollars more or less) for the construction of a sailing ship. He made it the only condition that it should bear his name – and so it was.
The interior on board testifies to the fact that Christian Radich was built as a training ship. After several conversions, most recently in 2020, there is now room for 60 fellow sailors.
In 1939, the ship sailed across the Atlantic to visit the New York World's Fair. The ship and the voyage received enormous press coverage and made the ship world famous.
When the ship returned home in September 1939, she was taken over by the navy. After the invasion, the Germans took over the ship and used it as a lodging ship. At the end of the war, the ship was towed to Flensburg in Germany where it was later bombed and sunk. When the war was over, it was hoisted up again and towed to Kiel with a minesweeper in front as protection. It was later towed to Norway and was fully restored in 1947.
Christian Radich was a training ship for the merchant navy from 1937 with only boys on board. Later, in 1983, girls also joined.
In 2018, Christian Radich decided to renew its mandate for young people who are at risk of being left behind on their way to active participation in working life.
In the summer, Christian Radich participates in the Tall Ships Races, or she sails Sea Norway along the Norwegian coast. Then you can sign up, and be a "co-sailor" for longer or shorter periods. You pay for your stay, but ... You are expected to work as and together with those who are employed on board – from going on shifts to climbing the rig and hoisting or reefing sails.
My photos are from a trip from Bergen, Norway to Lerwick, Shetland summer 2022.
Amazing experience.
Ref. Much of the text is taken from and translated from Christian Radich's official website
