On 31st August 2024, a new exhibition The Imperial Yachts opened at the Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad. The exhibit is joint project with the Peterhof State Museum. The exhibition explores the history of the Imperial Yachts, and their role in the life of the Russian Imperial Court, from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.

The Russian Imperial Yachts fell under the administration of the Naval Guards, founded in 1710, during the reign of Peter the Great. The Naval Guards conducted their service on the Imperial Yachts, and carried out regularl inspections of the vessels. In 1912, the Naval Guards also included Emperor Nicholas II, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Tsesatevich Alexei Nikolaevich, Grand Dukes Alexander and Nikolai Mikhailovich, Kirill Vladimirovich, Konstantin and Dmitri Konstantinovich.

During the 18th century, the Baltic Fleet already had more than 30 court and admiralty yachts. Some of them, for example, the yacht Happiness, impressed with their rich exterior décor and luxurious interior decoration. Over time, the design and appearance of Imperial Yachts change significantly. In the middle of the 19th century, during the reign of Emperors Nicholas I and Alexander II, elegant high-speed ships appeared, designed for better seaworthiness and increased comfort. Their interior decoration close ly resembled that of “floating palaces”.

The exhibition introduces visitors to the construction and operation of the Shtandart / Standart, the favourite Imperial Yacht of Emperor Nicholas II. The Shtandart / Standart, was the largest ocean-going yacht in the world, with the most advanced engineering and naval technology of it’s time. Other Imperial Yachts included the Livadia, Tsarevna, Alexandria, Derzhava and Polar Star – the personal yacht of the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. Both the Shtandart / Standart and the Polar Star had their own on-board chapels, in which members of the Imperial Family could attend services and pray while at sea.

The exhibition features more than 100 items, including maritime paintings and graphic works, a unique collection of services – porcelain and glassware – made for the Imperial Yachts, as well as navigation and other maritime items used on board. The exhibition is further complemented by scale models of the Imperial Yachts, uniforms, clothing and personal items of members of the Imperial Family, books and photographs which reflect life on board these luxurious vessels and their respective sea voyages.

The Imperial Yachts exhibition runs until 25th November 2024 at the Museum of the World Ocean in Kaliningrad.

© Paul Gilbert. 31 August 2024