Imperial Yacht “Standart”. Photos: Public Domain
The imperial yacht “Standart” served the Romanov family for 20 years, being considered one of the most elegant and luxurious ships of its time.
The “Standart” was a true floating palace, with cabins for the royal family, their friends, and servants. Among the facilities on board were a dining room with a capacity for 75 people, the monarch’s office, a church, and many other rooms to meet the needs of the ruling dynasty.
Officer Nikolai Sáblin, who served on the ship, described the interior as “strictly in English taste, without gilding, decorations, or stucco, but this simplicity and good taste seemed richer than any luxury or splendor.”
In addition to accommodating the Romanov family, the yacht also served as a huge playground for Tsar Nicholas II’s children, who were supervised by specially designated sailors known as “uncles.” For the adults, there was always an orchestra on board and eight 47 mm Hotchkiss cannons, used for fireworks and entertainment.
The “Standart” impressed numerous European heads of state, including German Emperor Wilhelm II, who expressed his desire to receive the yacht as a gift from the Russian Tsar. Despite several hints, Nicholas II ignored Wilhelm’s requests.
With the end of the imperial era and the advent of the Soviet period, the “Standart” was converted into a minesweeper, later used as a floating barracks, and finally as a target for Soviet Navy missile tests.
By the 1960s, the ship was dismantled and sold for scrap, marking the end of its history as one of the most imposing vessels of Imperial Russia.
Photos: Public Domain. Source: rbth. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
