DESIGN
The Amerigo Vespucci: the world's most beautiful ship 92 years after its launching
"Not he who begins but that which perseveres." This is the motto of the School Ship Amerigo Vespucci, the oldest Unit in service in the Navy entirely built and outfitted at the Royal Naval Shipyard in Castellamare di Stabia.
Launched on Feb. 22, 1931, it was named the "most beautiful ship in the world" by the U.S. Navy in 1962. It is crewed by 14 officers, 72 petty officers and 190 sub-captains and commoners, and is currently in service for naval training.
Ninety-two years after its launch, we want to show you a nautical jewel like few in the world still in service, the oldest Unit in service in the Navy entirely built and fitted out at the Royal Naval Shipyard in Castellamare di Stabia.
Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship- Italian Navy
The Amerigo Vespucci is a splendid sailing ship built by the Italian Navy. Intended to be built in 1925, it was completed in 1931, with the launch on October 22: godmother of the launch was Mrs. Elena Cerio.
Veliero Amerigo Vespucci - Italian Navy
The motto of the Amerigo Vespucci is "Not he who begins but that which perseveres," assigned in 1978. Originally the motto was "For the Fatherland and for the King," formerly belonging to the previous Amerigo Vespucci, replaced after World War II, with "Steadfast in the fury of winds and events."
Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship- Italian Navy
A tribute that the U.S. ship USS Indipendence would pay towards the school ship has passed into history. In 1962, in the Mediterranean Sea, the U.S. ship would flash in the direction of the Amerigo Vespucci. "Who are you?" was the question. "Training ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy," was the reply. "You are the most beautiful ship in the world," the tribute passed into history by the Americans.
Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship- Italian Navy
Talking about the technical-constructive specifications, the Amerigo Vespucci is a powered sailing ship. From the point of view of sail rigging, it is "ship-rigged," thus with three vertical masts, foremast, mainmast and mizzen, all equipped with spars and square sails, plus the bowsprit protruding forward, in effect a fourth mast.
Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship- Italian Navy
The crew consists of 264 military personnel, including 15 Officers, 30 Petty Officers, 34 Sergeants and 185 Sub-Captains and Joint Chiefs, divided into the Operations, Marine, Detail/Arms, Naval Engineer/Electrical, Administrative/Logistics and Medical Services. During the course of the education campaign, the crew is supplemented by cadets (about 100 per year) and support staff from the Naval Academy, thus reaching about 400.
Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship- Italian Navy
Since its entry into service, the Amerigo Vespucci has carried out training activities every year (except in 1940, given the war events, and in the years 1964, 1973 and 1997, for extraordinary works), especially for the benefit of the students of the Naval Academy, but also for the students of the Naval College, now the Naval Military School "Francesco Morosini", the student helmsmen, as well as young people who are part of sailing associations, such as the Italian Naval League, the Sail Training Association.
Amerigo Vespucci sailing ship - Italian Navy
It is also occasionally employed for non-military purposes, but still related to Italian interest. For example, during the 1960 Rome Olympics,the Amerigo Vespucci transported the Olympic flame by sea from Piraeus to Syracuse.
Art galleries private collections
Nature
22/04/2024
Bees play a vital role in the ecosystem, pollinating plants and ensuring food production. Bees provide us with valuable products that have been used for millennia in both cooking and body care such as honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, wax, and even poison.
However, bees are threatened from many sources, including habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.
It is important that we all take steps to protect bees and their environment.
In this photo gallery, we offer eight practical tips to save bees.