In 2003, one of the country's largest yachts rolled into Wrightsville Beach.
Named "Lady Linda," the 150-foot yacht featured a Union Jack-like flag flying from its stern, which only added to the buzz. Surely someone rich and famous owns the boat, and not just anybody.
It must be one of the Beatles.
According to a story in the Aug. 2, 2003, StarNews, Wilmington's wireless rumor mill suspected the boat was owned by Paul McCartney. After all, the big blue and white yacht is named Linda after his late wife, who died of cancer in 1998. The Union Jack? Well, McCartney is British.
"I don't know how that rumor got started," said Rob Shelnut, the yacht's captain. He repeatedly told people it was false, but "they said you're paid to lie."
Despite it being
false, the foot traffic at Wrightsville Beach Marina grew from here, there and everywhere as the rumor zipped through restaurants lining the Intracoastal Waterway near the drawbridge.
Built in New Orleans in 1999 and holding a nine-person crew, "Lady Linda" was named one of America's largest yachts by Power & Motoryacht magazine. The ship was hardly a day tripper -- it was heading north when it stopped off for the week at Wrightsville Beach.
Owen Hassell is the local news editor for the StarNews. You can reach him at ohassell@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: From the archives: A luxury yacht, Wrightsville Beach and a Beatle?
