This sailing vessel is one of the most beautiful ones in the world - school ship of Italian naval forces "Amerigo Vespucci". The senior vessel was built at the Royal sea shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia (suburbs of Naples) and heaved off in February, 22nd, 1931. Since then Italian officers-to-be have been obtaining professional skills on the vessel.
The total length of the vessel is 101m. "Amerigo Vespucci" - 3m long vessel with an engine, that has 24 sails made of natural sailcloth. Manoeuvring is fully done manually, yard control is fulfilled with help of hemp ropes, their total length is 30 km. To raise all the sails 200 men shoul participate. All the procedure takes 40 minutes.
You are welcomed by a splendid buoy with the name of the vessel.
Italian officers at the ladder, visitors are not searched.
The crew of the vessel consists of 278 sailors, during the school sailing 120 students and teachers of Naval Academy join them. All in all "Amerigo Vespucci" has sailed 400000 miles and spent 7000 navigational days (about 20 years) at sea.
Italians are proud of their "veteran" and call it "the most beautiful vessel in the world". And it's hard to disagree with them. Though the body is made of steel, many elements are decorated with wood. During many years "Amerigo Vespucci" has been a symbol of Italy, its side is visited by foreign delegations from many countries of the world.
Talkative students
Steering consists of four wheels joined all in one. When a maneuver is hard, some sailors lean on the wheel.
Smaller steering
Mizzen mast
Kilometers of sheet
Belaying pin rack to fix the sheet
Even simple screws shine
Block and tackle for putting off boats.
Chock substitutes hawses where there is no bulwark.
Quarter boat
Lower deck gallery
Hanging boat
Quarter fast
The sign shows what bowline is fixed on this treenail.
Aft deck
Staircases and ladders are simply perfect. You have probably already noticed that there is a lot of natural wood and copper on the vessel.
Belaying pin rack of the mainmast.
"Not the one who begins but the one who continues" - the motto of "Amerigo Vespucci". He was not the first who opened America but he "continued" it.
Rigging of the mainmast
How can they control everything here?
There are a lot of boats, but the crew is numerous too.
Navigator is working on the route
Cable stay
Sailors resting
Fore mast
Main. 54m above sea level.
Head rope
Lower crow's nest of the main
Looks complicated...
The line of those who want to see it with their own eyes.
Macrame
Cabin of the crew
The man watches attendance of the vessel officers.
The lever shows if a man is aboard now or not.
An arrow doesn't let guests be confused - it shows if they have to leave or go for the second circle.
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