The Italian Navy’s Tall Ship Amerigo Vespucci was welcomed back to Boston Harbor this week. In the above video, Captain Angelo Patruno talks about the return of 86 year-old training vessel to Boston as part of its recent worldwide tour.
Often referred to as the “most beautiful ship in the world,” the full-rigged, three hundred-thirty foot ship is an official training ship of the Italian Navy. She was last in Boston Harbor during Sail Boston in 2000.
A sailing vessel, the Vespucci is equipped with an auxiliary electric engine. The rigging is composed of three vertical masts, all with yards and square sails. The bowspirit functions as a fourth mast. She also features fore and aft sails: jibs stays between the masts and the spanker. The Amerigo Vespucci was docked at the World Trade Center Pier in Boston’s Seaport District.
The ship was open for free public tours during her stay in Boston and hosted events with local dignitaries. Her continuous mission of naval diplomacy takes the Amerigo Vespucci all over the world as a floating Italian Embassy.
“Amerigo Vespucci” crew with Captain Angelo Petruno, Italian Ambassador to the US, Armando Varricchio and Boston Counsel General, Nicola De Santis.
Boston is the seventh port that the Amerigo Vespucci will be visiting as a part of her 6-month transatlantic journey that began in her homeport of La Spezia in April.
The Amerigo Vespucci was toured by thousands at the World Trade Center Pier in Boston’s Seaport District.
From here, the Amerigo Vespucci will travel to New York and then four more ports before returning back home.
As a proud symbol of Italy’s maritime heritage and tradition, the Amerigo Vespucci has been used to train junior officers of the Italian Navy since being launched in 1931.
“Not who begins, but he who perseveres” is the motto of the Italian Tall Ship, Amerigo Vespucci. The message is inspired by the Italian Renaissance scientist and artist Leonardo Da Vinci who reminds us that it is not important to begin a project, but to carry it out.
On board Vespucci, there are three main decks and two superstructures (the forecastle and the aft castle). On the bow, there is a gilt bronze figurehead that portrays the Italian 15th century explorer and navigator Amerigo Vespucci who lent his name to the “new world.”
Carrying a crew of 270, the Amerigo Vespucci is easily distinguishable by her two white stripes on her black hull.
In Boston, Amerigo Vespucci will be followed by the Colombian Navy’s Tall Ship Gloria on Friday, July 28, docking at the Fan Pier in the Seaport District.
More photos of the Amerigo Vespucci and the Tall Ships.
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