I probably never would have heard of the Christian Radich were it not for my father whose dream it is to sail on this ship. The Christian Radich is a Norwegian full rigged ship with 3 masts that accommodate 27 sails (14, 600 square feet of sail!). The ship is 240 feet long including the bow and has a 15 foot long draught and is designed for a crew of 18 sailors. 88 passengers can comfortably fit aboard.
So why is this ship such a big deal?
Named after it´s owner, the Christian Radich was built by Framnæs Mekaniske Verksted in Sandefjord, Norway, and launched in 1937. It’s primary purpose was to train sailors for the merchant marines, which it did for many years. However, it was through it’s role in cinema and TV that the Christian Radich became so well known. In 1958, it appeared in the Cinemiracle film ´Windjammer,´ the story of 50 young Norwegian boys who sail from Oslo across the Atlantic and to the United States in a training effort to teach them the art of sailing and seamanship, as well as demonstrate the value of trust and teamwork.
On the journey across the Atlantic, the ship stops in several ports of call including Madeira (Portugal), Willamstad (Curacao), San Juan (Puerto Rico), New York City, Boston, and New Orleans. In addition to cultural experiences in all of these ports, the boys also encounter a U.S. Navy task force.
There is a song in the film called ´Kari Waits for Me´ which you can listen to here:
.
My Dad is slightly obsessed with this movie and with sailing as well, so it makes sense that he got the idea for my name from this movie. As I am also into sailing (to the credit of my Dad) and clearly into Norway as well, it is fitting that I was named after a girl in a Norwegian sailing movie:)
I thought I had done a really great job with the gift I got my Dad for Christmas. He had always talked about wanting to buy the original Windjammer movie from 1958, but could not find it anywhere. Well, silly me thought I found it on Amazon, of all places, so I bought it and gave it to him with a copy of the original Cinemiracle poster of the movie. As it turns out, he was right. It is virtually impossible for the average person to locate this movie on disc anywhere. It sounds like it will take a very wealthy person to provide funds to reproduce this movie into a format suitable for viewing today and available for purchase.
After I gave this incorrect version of the film to my Dad, he got back on the research train and discovered that the original crew members from the movie got together in Oslo not too long ago to view the film together. He said he would have paid gobs of money to be there.
If you have any insight into this original movie and how it may be possible to view it, or miraculously purchase it, please do share with us!!
And click here to see the official website for Christian Radich. You can actually pay to be a crew member on this ship:)
And the lyrics for the song Kari Waits for Me:
24
Stork Ejlaender Shantykor
Forebitter
5. udgave 2007
KARI WAITS FOR ME
2 ganger (two times)
Blow! Ye trade winds, Fill the sails.
Oh! Blow ye trade winds, blow.
Blow thro’ the stormy gales
And homeward we will go.
Homeward to the snow capped mountains
Rising from the sea.
Homeward to the land I love
Where Kari waits for me.
Solo
Kari waits for me at home, Oh!
Kari waits for me.
I see her standing there
Beside the restless sea!
Kari waits for me at home,
Tho’ I must sail the sea.
I’m a sailor born to roam
While Kari waits for me.
Many girls in far off lands
Have many charms to see,
They’ll not wear my golden bands
While Kari waits for me.
Let me ride the homeward winds
That carry me to shore.
Till the day when I can hold my Kari,
Kari girl once more.
Solo allersidst (last solo)
Kari waits for me!
Keep learning Norwegian with us!
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I attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, where I majored in Norwegian and History. During college, I spent almost a year living in Oslo, Norway, where I attended the University of Oslo and completed an internship at the United States Embassy. I have worked for Concordia Language Villages as a pre-K Norwegian teacher and have taught an adult Norwegian language class. Right now, I keep up by writing this Norwegian blog for Transparent Language. Please read and share your thoughts! I will be continuing this blog from my future residence in the Norwegian arctic!
Comments:
Dan Bergeson:
Thanks for posting about this magnificent vessel. Someday I’ll stand on her deck I’m sure! In 2010, a team of cinematographers led by David Strohmaier remastered the original 70mm Cinemiracle film to video. The newest version was shown in Oslo in May 2010, Los Angeles in October and Seattle in November. I missed all of them!! There’s been no word about future screenings or mass production for home viewing. Arrgh!
jaron groen:
I precisely desired to appreciate you yet again. I’m not certain what I might have undertaken without these recommendations discussed by you concerning such industry. This was a real traumatic dilemma for me, but seeing your expert mode you managed it forced me to cry with gladness. Now i’m grateful for your advice and as well , believe you comprehend what a powerful job that you’re accomplishing instructing most people all through a blog. I am sure you haven’t got to know any of us.
Richard Hanson:
I seem to remember that the Christian Radich visited the Great Lakes (in particular, Lake Michigan); is that true? If so, did it come into Grand Traverse Bay?
betty amirault:
Hi Kari, I think I have talked to you before, but I am a distant relative. Today as I sit here in Maine watching the Sail of Tall Ships come into Casco Bay, Maine. I always think of the Christian Radich.
Louis, your dad was my grandmother’s cousin. I remember when the film reviewed in Boston, MA & the family went in to see it. My grandmother was so proud of Louis & even got to sit beside Athur Feidler who had the music sound track. I know she got a signed book that was printed & know that one of my cousins now has it, from their father.
My grandmother, was Marion Eastman deRochmont Cooper. We lived in Newburyport, MA. I have done some research on the family that is so interesting. I also have your father’s obit that a friend sent to me. It’s been a long time as other things have taken up my time.
Reason I’m writing is, do the Christian Radich, ever go on thes tours like the other Tall Ships does??? Would love to know if in the USA, so I might be able to see it up close.
I also wish they/or someone would make a remake of that wonderful movie. I also would love to get my hands on the book. It is a part of my family history.
Sincerely yours,
Betty Cooper Amirault
Bjørn A. Bojesen:
@betty amirault Hi Betty
I’m sorry to say that Kari isn’t working here at Transparent any more. 🙁
I’ll pass your message on to our boss, to see if she can send it to Kari!
BTW, I’ve been watching Tall Ships here in Europe, and yes, it’s a wonderful sight! But I don’t know a lot about Crhistian Radich, so let’s see what Kari says… 🙂
Sincerely yours,
Comments:
Dan Bergeson:
Thanks for posting about this magnificent vessel. Someday I’ll stand on her deck I’m sure! In 2010, a team of cinematographers led by David Strohmaier remastered the original 70mm Cinemiracle film to video. The newest version was shown in Oslo in May 2010, Los Angeles in October and Seattle in November. I missed all of them!! There’s been no word about future screenings or mass production for home viewing. Arrgh!
jaron groen:
I precisely desired to appreciate you yet again. I’m not certain what I might have undertaken without these recommendations discussed by you concerning such industry. This was a real traumatic dilemma for me, but seeing your expert mode you managed it forced me to cry with gladness. Now i’m grateful for your advice and as well , believe you comprehend what a powerful job that you’re accomplishing instructing most people all through a blog. I am sure you haven’t got to know any of us.
Richard Hanson:
I seem to remember that the Christian Radich visited the Great Lakes (in particular, Lake Michigan); is that true? If so, did it come into Grand Traverse Bay?
betty amirault:
Hi Kari, I think I have talked to you before, but I am a distant relative. Today as I sit here in Maine watching the Sail of Tall Ships come into Casco Bay, Maine. I always think of the Christian Radich.
Louis, your dad was my grandmother’s cousin. I remember when the film reviewed in Boston, MA & the family went in to see it. My grandmother was so proud of Louis & even got to sit beside Athur Feidler who had the music sound track. I know she got a signed book that was printed & know that one of my cousins now has it, from their father.
My grandmother, was Marion Eastman deRochmont Cooper. We lived in Newburyport, MA. I have done some research on the family that is so interesting. I also have your father’s obit that a friend sent to me. It’s been a long time as other things have taken up my time.
Reason I’m writing is, do the Christian Radich, ever go on thes tours like the other Tall Ships does??? Would love to know if in the USA, so I might be able to see it up close.
I also wish they/or someone would make a remake of that wonderful movie. I also would love to get my hands on the book. It is a part of my family history.
Sincerely yours,
Betty Cooper Amirault
Bjørn A. Bojesen:
@betty amirault Hi Betty
I’m sorry to say that Kari isn’t working here at Transparent any more. 🙁
I’ll pass your message on to our boss, to see if she can send it to Kari!
BTW, I’ve been watching Tall Ships here in Europe, and yes, it’s a wonderful sight! But I don’t know a lot about Crhistian Radich, so let’s see what Kari says… 🙂
Sincerely yours,
Bjørn A. Bojesen