The Christian Radich is a 241 foot, 676 ton, full-rigged ship built in 1937 in Sandefjord, Norway. In 1938 she sailed to New York for the World Fair.

In design she has the moderate sail plan of the modern training ship, with a total area of about 11,700 sq. ft., while her hull profile follows that of the traditional sailing ship, although on much finer lines since she carries no cargo other than her own stores and equipment. Her normal complement consists of a captain, three mates, six schoolmasters or instructors, a doctor, engineer, steward, cook and 100 cadets.

When she sailed to New York as a representative of her country in 1938 she met the Danish "Danmark" on a similar mission. In the states the two ships had a wonderful reception, and they appeared to stimulate an interest in the square-rigger as a medium of modern training, for they undoubtedly demonstrated that such vessels had something to offer in the type of youngster they turned out.

The Christian Radich sailed back to Norway late in 1939 and was placed under the control of the Norwegian Navy. She was seized by the Germans at Horten, near Oslo, and was used by them as a submarine depot ship. She was taken to Germany in 1943, and in 1945 she was found by the Allies at Flensburg in a capsized condition and without her masts or equipment. She was towed back to Norway and was rebuilt in the same yard where she was built in 1937.

She resumed her schoolship operations in 1947 and in 1956-1957 she went on a long trans-Atlantic cruise during which the wide-screen Cinerama film "Windjammer" was shot aboard. In the 1970's she also played a leading role in "The Onedin Line" television series.

In 1976 she took part in the American Bicentennial trans-Atlantic Tall Ships Race. After a major refit and accommodation modernization in 1983 she took part in the Quebec Tall Ships Parade in 1984. In 1986 she went to New York Op Sail marking the Centennial and re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty. In 1992 she took part in the Columbus Regatta, and will again be at Sail Amsterdam in 2000.

The original benefactor, for whom the ship has been named, was Mr. Christian Radich of Norway.