Winston Churchill's former yacht Amazone to undergo restoration at Pendennis

The 38.9-metre Amazone is about to undergo a major restoration at Pendennis following a 20-year period of disuse as a houseboat in France. She was ferried from Le Havre to Falmouth and then transferred to Pendennis Shipyard yesterday morning (14 February).

The rebuild is the result of a collaboration between Nicholas Edmiston and William Collier of G.L. Watson & Co. and Sevenstar Yacht Transport.

Delivered by British yard Thornycroft in 1936, the tri-deck yacht was the property of the British government and so often at the disposal of Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty. Four years later, Churchill would be elected as prime minister and become Britain's political leader during World War II.

Amazone also belonged to the fleet that took part in Dunkirk's Operation Dynamo, according to broker Coldwell Banker. She has undergone three rebuilds across her 88-year tenure, with the most recent being in 2005 – but great care has been taken to ensure her interior remains faithful to Churchill's day.

"The arrangements for the tow in France were extensive and very complicated," said Mike Herrebrugh of Sevenstar Yacht Transport. "But it is amazing to be trusted by Nicholas Edmiston and William Collier to handle their project, which is clearly a labour of love, to preserve a historic piece of yachting."

Collier added: "These are complex projects where you need the support of strong partners who understand your requirements and who remain focused on it throughout. Mike Herrebrugh is that partner and this concludes our third successful project with Sevenstar in the last 12 months."

Amazone is capable of hosting up to 60 guests for parties and receptions, with accommodation for 12 guests and eight crew. The 40-square-metre saloon has a bar, a dining room and a conference room, while her top deck has a large Jacuzzi installed.

Twin 700hp Cummins diesel engines give her a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots.

In another piece of historical restoration news, in November 2023 it was announced that the famous former US presidential yacht Sequoia would resume her long-awaited rebuild in Cambridge, Maryland.