MV-Christena Ferry Disatser St. Kitts – Nevis
A Day That Changed the Islands Forever
On Saturday, August 1, 1970, St. Kitts and Nevis endured one of its greatest tragedies — the sinking of the MV Christena. Often described as the Titanic of the Caribbean, the disaster reached news outlets worldwide and touched lives far beyond the shores of the twin-island nation.
Every year on August 1, survivors, government officials, and the families of those who perished gather to honor the victims. The tragedy is locally known as the Christena Disaster, a somber chapter in Nevis history.
The Fateful Voyage
Most passengers that day were Nevisians returning from St. Kitts, where they had conducted business, visited relatives, or sold produce from their farms. Near Nogs Head, the overcrowded ferry began taking on water before it capsized and sank.
A total of 233 people — including pregnant women and children — lost their lives, while 90 passengers survived.
Memorials Honoring the Victims
In 2011, the Christena Memorial was built on the Charlestown waterfront in Nevis. On the tragedy’s 50th anniversary, then-Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris pledged a second memorial in Basseterre, which was completed in 2022 after delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tributes Through Art, Literature, and Music
The MV Christena Disaster inspired lasting tributes, including:
Art – Vaughn Anslyn created a memorial artwork and designed the tomb for the mass grave at Britannic/Bath Cemetery.
Literature – Survivor Oswald “Ozzie” Tyson wrote Ozzie’s Odyssey, vividly detailing his escape and memories.
Film – Patrick “Daddyplay” Howell produced Lest We Forget, reenacting the sinking and celebrating Nevisian resilience.
Documentary – Journalist Stevenson Manners produced Christena Disaster – 50 Years On.
Music – Songs like Christena Went Down by Ronny Neale and Sail On by Denise Gordon & Jazzique Chiverton commemorate the event.
Unique Tributes – A commemorative cake by Maurisha and Jermaine Walters portraying “Christena’s Final Voyage.”
Lasting Emotional Impact
Premier Mark Brantley has spoken of the enduring trauma. Many survivors avoid the sea entirely, and some Nevisians attribute a general reluctance to swim to the event’s psychological effects. Families were separated, with children placed in different homes, and the grief remains vivid decades later.
Preserving the Memory for Future Generations
The Christena Disaster is more than a historical event — it’s a shared wound and a reminder of the resilience of St. Kitts and Nevis. Annual commemorations ensure that the lessons and memories of August 1, 1970, endure.