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Founded by Clive Cussler
A Non-Profit Foundation Dedicated
to Preserving Our Maritime Heritage
Founded by Clive Cussler
The Christena: A Sad Caribbean Saga
Ferryboat Christena
The passenger ferryboat sank in the Narrows–a thin strait between the islands–on August 1, 1970 when the captain failed to close the vessel’s watertight doors. Workmen had been repairing the propeller shaft below decks and they assumed the captain would make a final check before departing St. Kitts for Nevis. Designed to carry 180 passengers, the boat was overloaded with 300 happy people heading for rural Nevis on a holiday celebration.
Not long out of port, the ferryboat started to capsize and the captain turned his vessel sharply toward shore in an attempt to run it aground. But the bulky, top-heavy boat capsized quickly. Fishing boats and pleasure craft came to the rescue, but only 91 passengers and crew survived.
Christena Certificate
Christena Memorial Coin
The Christena is a protected marine memorial park and sanctuary that warrants dignity and respect to those who were lost in the disaster. Ellis Chaderton of Scuba Safaris Ltd., Oualie Beach Hotel, presents a memorial shipwreck certificate to divers who visit this shrine. There’s also a memorial coin available in his dive shop at the hotel.
For more information go to scubanevis.com.
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I visited the Christena when I was in Nevis and it was an exciting dive. The ferryboat met a sad end but it is nice that dive operators, the government, and others have declared it a shrine and it remains a memorial that is honored yearly. Thank you for writing about this shipwreck!
Oh good, I’m pleased that you had an opportunity to dive the Christena when you were in Nevis. Dive operator Ellis Chatterton does a nice job of taking dives to the site and his certificate presented after the dive is very touching. Thank you for your kind comment. Safe diving to you and your dive buddy.
I love the beautiful Christena memorial coin that is pictured with your story about the shipwreck. Are they sold somewhere? Is it possible to order one? Thank you.
I was in Charlestown, Nevis on the night the boat sank.
I had arrived with my Father from England the Wednesday before in St. Kitts.
I have forgotten about the disaster until this morning, why I don’t know, but something in me told me to look it up.
I saw your trips to the disaster site and was intrigued by them.
The picture of the boat is how I remembered it all those years ago.
It didn’t look safe to me and my one and only trip on it left me telling my Father, never again!!
I have never returned to Nevis, something died inside me that Saturday night, but one day I hope to return.
It was my dream summer holiday and it turned into one of the saddest times of my life.
I remember arriving in Nevis and being greeted by my family members and thinking, everyone is so happy, that Saturday in night in 1970 changed that for many families forever.
Keep up the good work and keep the memories of those lost, alive.
I’m so sorry that you have those memories. You are correct–it changed many lives forever. It was difficult to do the research on this article. I spoke with some people who lost some relatives on the ferryboat. You are correct. It was very overloaded. It remains one of the saddest stories in Caribbean shipwreck history.
just dove this wreck. Very nice but somber dive. Some human remains visible. So sad. Later met a man who was on the ferry as a boy and lost his mom and brother. RIP ferry victims.
I purchased a book in St. Thomas about 10 years ago and first learned of the tragedy. The book was given to a friend from St. Kitts, and I don’t remember its name. It discussed the political issues of the time and also interviewed survivors and relatives of survivors. Does anyone have a list of books that I can review to hopefully either get lucky or find a good substitute?
I was on board HMS Sirius which was deployed to help recovery operations. I will always remember the sad days we spent not being able to help the people who lost their lives in this tragedy. RIP to those lost souls.
Harry: This must have been a sad assignment. I have researched & written about many tragedies at sea and this was one of the saddest.It was so disturbing because it could easily have been prevented but no one spoke up about the deluge of passengers aboard the vessel when it left the dock
Philip, there is a book called “The Christena Disaster Forty-Two Years Later—Looking Backward, Looking Forwards” by Whitman T. Browne. Perhaps that is the book you are referring to.
I too was on HMS Sirius when we attended the recovery of bodies. The crew were asked for volunteers to help on the upper deck, not a very nice task, for which they were granted extra rum. No one else was allowed to go onto the deck area. They did not talk about it after the event. A sad day.
Is it possible that you could send me a list of the names of the people that were on the Christena ferryboat that sadly sank on the 1/8/1970 please?
Thankyou ✌️
Sasha: You will have to contact someone in Nevis. I suggest:
The Nevis Historical Society: Their web site is: http://www.nevis-nhcs.org
I may have this wrong. check it online.
Here are 3 others–emails–you can try:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
I was ten years old at the time when we heard of the disaster in Anguilla. My brother, the late Crispin Fahie lived in Nevis and I remember our family being concerned about him. He sent a message on ZIZ radio indicating that he was alright. I still remember where I was in the house when I heard my dad and others talking about it. Ironically I was reading about the christena last night when my dad died at age 94.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father. My sympathy goes out to you. One of the saddest aspects of this tragedy is that it could easily have been avoided. No one stepped forward to insist the boat was overloaded.
My daughter and I dove this shipwreck a couple of weeks ago. It was our first shipwreck dive and we didn’t know we would be going there until we were already on the dive boat and were asked if we wanted to do a wreck dive. It wasn’t until later that day that I learned the tragedy of the Christena and really understood what we had witnessed.
Thank you for this informative page.
Dear James, You and your daughter have experienced a first shipwreck dive that you will never forget. First of all, the dive service usually goes to this wreck upon request only. So you and your daughter got a special treat. The story is sad, but knowing the history of it makes it quite meaningful. It’s a tragedy, but still retains historical significance for Nevis and St., Kitts.Thank you your kind words about my writing. Please keep viewing my column and pass the word on to others. Best regards, Ellsworth Boyd
(If you want to email me personally, go to: [email protected]–I would like to know all about your trip to Nevis. It has been awhile since I was there).
I like the article…..wish there was more to read…..
One question though ,,,,What did you mean when you wrote, ,”rural Nevis?”
In this part of the Caribbean, St. Kitts has been called the “big city,” and Nevis the “rural region” . They are close in proximity but not in setting and lifestyle. St. Kitts has lots of night life and hustle and bustle. Nevis is calm, quiet and laid back. Some people go to st. Kitts to have fun and then to Nevis for rest and recuperation!
I was also on the Sirius at that sad time . Was out in the Gemini with the Royal Marines piking up bodies. Had nightmares for sometime after that