Excursion to the Italian sailing ship Amerigo Vespucci

• Excursion to the Italian sailing ship Amerigo Vespucci

A few days ago I was on board one of the most beautiful sailing vessels operating in the world - the training ship of the Italian Navy Amerigo Vespucci.

It is the oldest ship of the Navy of Italy - is built on the Royal Marine shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia (Naples suburb) and launched on February 22, 1931. Since then, the future officers of the Italian Navy study on this ship workmanship skills.

The total length of the ship is 101 m "Amerigo Vespucci." - a three-masted sailing vessel with an engine, has 24 sails, which are sewn from natural canvas. Maneuvering occurs exclusively manually reyami control performed by ropes from hemp, their total length is 30 km. To raise the sail, you need 200 people. The entire procedure takes 40 minutes.

Particularly stringent when admission to the ship is also connected with the fact that, climbing on board the ship, we set foot on the territory of another state. Schengen. Without any visas.

Before hanging ladder chic lifeline ship called

at the ramp constantly stand Italian officers, visually inspecting the guests. No inspections and metal frames.

The ship's crew consists of 278 sailors during a training cruise they are joined by another 120 students and teachers of the Naval Academy. In general, "Amerigo Vespucci" passed 400,000 miles and stayed in the sea 7,000 nautical days (about 20 years).

The Italians are proud of their "veteran" and called it "the most beautiful ship in the world." And it is difficult not to agree with them. Although the hull is made of steel, a plurality of elements decorated tree. For many years the "Amerigo Vespucci" is the symbol of Italy, its board is visited by foreign delegations from many countries of the world.

The sailors and cadets talkative and having fun taking pictures from the ship guests

The steering consists of four connected to one wheel. During complex maneuvers on the wheel leans more sailors

Helm smaller, navigation and other devices, as well as the phone.

Lookup. Mizzen-mast.

sailing Kilometers Sheeting.

Kofel-nagelnaya strap for fastening of sheets of sails.

Even ordinary screws shine

Cables and hoists for launching boats. All neatly folded - not sap

chocks. It replaces fairleads where there is no bulwark. They are used for wiring mooring lines - all used for mooring and banners - the movement of the ship berth via pulling its ends

aft boat

the lower deck Gallery

The boat hanging on davits

stern moorings in bitt

A sign indicating that a bowline is fixed on this Nagel

The aft deck

Stairs and ladders are just marvelous. Yes, and you have already probably be noted that on the ship a lot of wood and copper.

Our firefighter to quickly draw up a statement and prohibited operation of the ship, while with him "not poreshali" this issue. For the lack of a box with sand

Kofel-nagelnaya strap mainmast

"It is not the one who starts and one who continues" - the motto of "Amerigo Vespucci". Not he began to America, but he continued it, for which he immortalized