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
An arrow doesn't let guests be confused - it shows if they have to leave or go for the second circle.
via aquatek-filips
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