Atlantide’s history is significant, her pedigree of owners is unmatched. Their stewardship of owning this fine vessel has kept her in pristine condition and she is arguably “better than new”.
Currently she is owned by world famous yachtsman Mr. Tom Perkins who’s other yachts include the submarine-carrying expedition yacht “Dr. No” and previous yachts, the venerable 289’ "Maltese Falcon", two Perini Navi's both named S/Y Andromeda la Dea and the 1915 - 137' classic Herreshoff racing schooner “Mariette”.
Designed by the gifted English Naval Architect Alfred Mylne (the designer of the original Royal Yacht Britannia) and launched in 1930 by Philip and Sons at Dartmouth, Atlantide (ex-Caleta) has been in continuous commission to this day.
Atlantide was built for Sir William Burton, a distinguished yachtsman who was helmsman of Shamrock IV, the J Class challenger for the 1930 America’s Cup. Sir William owned and raced a succession of 12 Metre yachts in regattas all around the East and South coasts, ending up in Cowes Week in August. Atlantide followed the yachts, providing accommodation for the owner and his guests at each regatta.
In 1939 she was requisitioned into the Royal Navy and in 1940 she joined the fleet of Little Ships to evacuate the Allied forces from Dunkirk harbour and the surrounding beaches. Atlantide was an active participant, setting out for Dunkirk on May 31st in the company with the yachts Glala and Amulree. She operated under intense enemy shell-fire and dive bomber attacks over seven days during which time she assisted various vessels and embarked 35 troops from a disabled landing craft that she then took in tow. To this day, Atlantide is one of just a handfull of private vessels permitted to fly the St George's Cross flag in honour of her heroic participation in the war effort.
After the war she was bought by a Greek ship-owner who changed her name from Caleta to Ariane. Later she was renamed Corisande and based in Antibes. In the late 1980’s she was purchased by Count Nicolo delle Rose who gave her the present name of Atlantide.
In 1998 she was acquired by Thomas Perkins of San Francisco, and she underwent a complete rebuild. Her hull was reconstructed at the Manoel Island Shipyard of Malta and the new superstructure and interior was provided by Camper & Nicholson. Overall external and interior design was undertaken by Ken Freivokh Design. At the time it was rumoured to be the world's most expensive refit per metre, estimated to be worth 18-20 million dollars.
Perkins had brought her back to her original designed purpose as a gentleman's motor yacht and tender to a racing yacht.
From 1999 through 2005, Atlantide had the enviable roll as support vessel to her owner’s 1915 classic Herreshoff racing schooner Mariette...just when you thought it doesn’t get any better than this, in 2006, Tom Perkins launched the remarkable 289’ Maltese Falcon. Atlantide and “The Falcon” were show stoppers in every port the pair dropped anchor. On her own, Atlantide also cruised to distant points on the globe including the Caribbean, Canada's East and West coasts and Norway's high arctic.
After many years of enjoyment she is still kept in pristine condition, and this one-of-a-kind motor yacht with an unprecedented history is now awaiting her next owner/guardian.
Listing broker's comment: I have personally sailed aboard Atlantide on a 800 mile voyage along the rugged West Coast of North America. I can attest to her exceptional performance and sea keeping under a broad range of weather conditions.
