The Yachts Behind the Names — Part IV
In Parts I, II and III, we explored some of the world's largest privately owned superyachts, along with a collection of smaller but equally interesting vessels. Many belong to Middle Eastern royalty and Russian oligarchs, while others are associated with some of the most recognizable names in business, entertainment and sports.
For Part IV, the selection is once again a mix of superyachts, megayachts, and smaller vessels, with one thing in common: their owners, past or present, are names you're likely to recognize.
Queen Elizabeth II
While technically not hers, Queen Elizabeth II was closely associated with this megayacht throughout its 43 years of service, from its launch in 1953 until its decommissioning in 1997. As head of the British Royal Family, she made many of the major decisions regarding the vessel, although its original design and construction criteria had been established before she became Queen.
As the 83rd such "Royal Yacht" since that of King Charles II in 1660, HMY Britannia was designed by the Department of Naval Construction and built by John Brown and Company shipbuilders of Glasgow, Scotland. Its design and construction took place under the watchful eye and guidance of King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who were the parents of Queen Elizabeth II. Following her father's death in February 1952, Elizabeth became Queen and, along with her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, directed a number of changes to the yacht before its launch in 1953 and commissioning in 1954.
Since then, Britannia is said to have travelled more than one million nautical miles (almost two million kilometres), visiting nearly 700 ports in 135 countries. It is powered by a pair of steam turbines producing a combined 12,000 horsepower, giving it a top speed of approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
The yacht was originally designed to serve another purpose as well. In times of conflict, it could be converted into a hospital ship with a capacity for 200 patients, although not in the usual sense of having conventional staterooms. Its regular crew consisted of 21 officers and approximately 250 Royal Yachtsmen (it takes a lot of people to look after the needs of a Royal Family!).
HMY Britannia travelled the newly opened St. Lawrence Seaway as far inland as Chicago in 1959. Princess Anne and Mark Phillips took their honeymoon cruise aboard in 1973, as did Prince Charles and Diana in 1981. The yacht also made stops in Toronto and Kingston, Ontario, in 1991. Whenever travelling on official Royal duties, it was accompanied by a British warship.
In 1997, the British Government decided to decommission the yacht, as it required a major and very expensive refit. Rather than being scrapped, it was permanently berthed in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it became a museum ship and remains open to the public as a major tourist attraction.
Today, Britannia is also a popular venue for special occasions and private functions. Among its more unusual events was the celebration of Hollywood actress Ursula Andress's 70th birthday aboard in 2006. Andress, of course, was the first James Bond girl.
David Gilmour
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In the off-chance you haven't heard of him, singer-songwriter David Gilmour is best known as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the English rock band Pink Floyd, with whom he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon, was one of its biggest hits and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Built in 1911 for a hotel owner and music hall producer and director, the houseboat Astoria has a beam of 20 feet (6 m) and was originally moored at an island on the River Thames, west of London. Its upper sundeck, measuring 90 x 18 feet (27 x 5.5 m), was built to accommodate a full 90-piece orchestra, with a dance floor beneath a canvas roof. Inside are three bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, living and dining rooms, electricity, and running water.
It has no engines, however, so perhaps it doesn't really belong on this list at all. Nevertheless, I chose to include it as something of an oddity, particularly given how its current owner has put it to use.
Following the original owner's insolvency in 1926, Astoria was sold privately a couple of times before David Gilmour purchased it in 1986. He subsequently moved its mooring on the Thames to a location near Hampton Court Palace, the famous former summer retreat of King Henry VIII.
Gilmour then converted the living and dining rooms into a 600-square-foot recording studio. With its abundance of natural light and scenic views through the many windows, it offered a rather unique recording environment that proved inspiring to the musicians who worked there. The dining room became the performance room, while the living room was converted into the control room, complete with a mixing desk.
Several Pink Floyd and David Gilmour solo album tracks have been recorded aboard Astoria, along with recordings by other artists. Gilmour had the houseboat renovated in the early 2000s, including repairs to the hull and its subsequent recertification.
J.K. Rowling
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Delivered in 2015 by Dutch shipbuilder Oceanco and originally named Infinity, this 290-foot (88.5 m) megayacht went through a couple of owners before being purchased in 2023 and renamed Samsara by renowned British author J.K. (Joanne) Rowling, best known as the writer of the world's best-selling Harry Potter book series.
Rowling previously owned the considerably smaller 156-foot (47.5 m) superyacht Amphitrite, which had originally belonged to actor Johnny Depp, who named it Vajoliroja. Depp renamed it Amphitrite before selling it in 2016, when Rowling acquired it. She owned the yacht for less than a year before selling it herself. She is not known to have owned another superyacht between then and her purchase of Samsara in 2023.
The name she chose for her new yacht is a Sanskrit term referring to the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Samsara can accommodate up to 14 guests in a master suite with its own balcony, two VIP suites and four additional guest cabins. There is also accommodation for 28 crew members.
Amenities include a large swimming pool, whirlpool, cinema, gymnasium and, of course, a beach club. Power comes from a pair of MTU diesel engines, each producing almost 5,000 horsepower and providing a maximum speed of approximately 21 mph (34 km/h).
Johnny Depp
This is the superyacht mentioned above that J.K. Rowling owned in 2016 for less than a year. Before that, it belonged to Johnny Depp, once Hollywood's highest-paid actor, who purchased the yacht in 2006. Although it has the appearance of a 1920s gentleman's yacht, it was actually built by Turkey's Turquoise Yachts in 2001.
Depp immediately had the interior refurbished in an Art Deco, vintage pirate theme, reflecting some of his roles in Disney films, and renamed the yacht Vajoliroja. The unusual name was created using the first few letters of the first names of each member of his family.
The yacht can accommodate ten guests in five cabins, including a master suite, all with ensuite facilities. There is also accommodation for nine crew members, along with indoor and outdoor dining areas and a private cinema. What it doesn't have, however, are some of the amenities now commonly found aboard superyachts, such as a helipad, swimming pool or hot tub.
Vajoliroja is powered by a pair of Caterpillar diesel engines, providing a top speed of just over 15 mph (25 km/h). Following some well-publicized marital difficulties, Depp renamed the yacht Amphitrite in 2016, shortly before putting it up for sale.
Sir James and Lady Dierdre Dyson
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Built and commissioned in 1930 by John Brown and Company shipbuilders in Clydebank, Scotland (the same shipbuilders responsible for the HMY Royal Yacht Britannia mentioned earlier), this originally steam-powered megayacht has had its share of well-heeled and even royal owners over the years. Its current owners are James Dyson, he of worldwide "tornado" vacuum cleaner fame, and his wife. Upon purchasing the yacht in 2006, the Dysons restored its original 1930 name and Scottish registry.
Originally built for Lady Yule, a Scottish heiress, financier and horse breeder, the yacht was named Nahlin, an Indigenous American word meaning "fleet of foot." Its figurehead is a representation of a Native American wearing a feather headdress. Lady Yule and her daughter subsequently cruised around the world aboard it.
In 1935, Lady Yule invited Edward, Prince of Wales, aboard. He apparently enjoyed the experience so much that, following the death of his father, King George V, in 1936, he chartered Nahlin after becoming King Edward VIII. He brought along Mrs. Wallis Simpson for the cruise, a decision that didn't sit particularly well with the British public. Edward eventually abdicated the throne in order to marry Simpson, who was then divorced. He did, however, manage to make one lasting change to the yacht during his time aboard, converting the library into a bar!
In 1937, Nahlin was sold to King Carol II of Romania. Following the Second World War, it eventually became a museum and restaurant. As Romania experienced considerable political turmoil, the yacht was shuffled among several government departments but was essentially left to rust. In 1998, the Romanian Government finally allowed it to leave the country for restoration.
After an unsuccessful attempt to complete the refurbishment in England, a German shipyard eventually finished the extensive refit. The yacht was subsequently purchased by the Dysons in 2006, who restored its original name and registry.
Today, Nahlin can accommodate 14 guests and a crew of 47. Its original steam propulsion has been replaced with a more modern arrangement consisting of a pair of 16-cylinder MTU diesel engines, each producing more than 2,500 horsepower. These power electric generators, which in turn drive a pair of 2,700-horsepower electric motors, one for each propeller shaft. The arrangement allows Nahlin to cruise at almost 20 mph (30 km/h), only slightly below its maximum speed.
As we've seen throughout this series, the yachts owned by the rich and famous are often just as interesting as the people who own them. From royalty and business tycoons to Hollywood celebrities and rock stars, each vessel has its own story, and sometimes a rather colourful history. This series highlighting the superyachts of the rich and famous could stretch on almost indefinitely but best to end it while you are still curious. Perhaps we'll revisit the subject another day. After all, there's no shortage of fascinating yachts or interesting people who own them. #culture
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