Amphitrite

The Ship

The Amphitrite, built from 1884 to 1887 in England, is considered the oldest sailing yacht in the world and was originally a robust racing yacht. Today, it offers space for school classes with 29 berths and combines historical charm with modern equipment, with its yacht hull and elegant mahogany interior being particularly striking.

The sail area is now distributed across three masts, making sail setting manageable even for laypeople. The characteristic broad foresail on the schooner mast gives the ship its distinctive appearance and provides propulsion in following winds.

In the aft deck house, you can comfortably chat with fellow sailors in the historical salon without losing sight of the water. The galley is right next door, also offering excellent views while working, and the crew can be supplied with delicious meals directly through the window.
Next to it is the navigation room with modern instruments, directly in front of the helm.

Below deck, people gather in the cozy mess hall, which is lined with fine mahogany wood. Brass fittings on the tables, the old secretary desk, and other details reflect the external elegance inside as well. In the other cabins, you’ll also encounter the charm of the old days here and there. Even though adaptations to the old racing sailor’s new purpose had to be implemented over the many years, you can still imagine how noble gentry enjoyed life here more than a hundred years ago.

Ship Data

Crew Accommodation

The accommodation of the entire crew takes place in several cabins with varying numbers of berths.
– 16 person cabin forecastle (deckhands)
– 6 person cabin starboard (deckhands)
– 2 person cabin port side (helmsmen)
– 2 person cabin starboard (helmsmen)
– 2 person cabin aft starboard (engineer and cook)
– 1 person cabin aft port side for captain

History

She was built between 1884 and 1887 at the Camper & Nicholson shipyard in Gosport, England. As a racing yacht, she was designed to win elite yacht races for her owner, Col. Mc Gregor – and she did. But Mc Gregor also wanted a reliable, robust vessel, which was unusual for such racing yachts. Not only is she the oldest sailing yacht of her size, but she also marked the end of the era of large gaff schooners; you could say Amphitrite is a witness to history and the last of her kind.

Today, with 29 berths, she can accommodate a whole school class. But it has been a long journey and many fortunate coincidences and people have led to this ship from the penultimate century defying time to this day.

Chronology

• 1884-1887: Built as a two-masted racing schooner in Gosport by the first owner: Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Donald McGregor
• 1888: McGregor becomes a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron
• 1915: Installation of an engine
• 1919: Installation of a radio system
• 1942-1944: Used by the British Admiralty as a balloon barrage
• 1946-1955: Private use without rigging
• 1955: Conversion to a three-masted gaff schooner
• 1964: Conversion to a three-masted barquentine
• 1968-1972: Extensive renovation for film productions: TV series „Graf Luckner“ and the film „The Secret of Mary Celeste“
• 1973: Transfer to Germany, severe storm damage
• 1974: Purchase by Clipper – Deutsches Jugendwerk zur See e.V.
• 1974-1976: Conversion to a three-masted gaff schooner for youth voyages May 1,
• 1976: First voyage for Clipper

The Many Owners in Chronological Order

Links und Downloads

• Beitrag auf yacht.de „Das besondere Boot“ (2023)