A unique gem of the Italian Navy and one of the most iconic and visually striking vessels in the world, the Amerigo Vespucci continues to proudly represent Italy as it sails across the globe’s oceans. This majestic vessel, the Italian Navy’s training ship, is also its oldest, in service since 1931. Named after the famous Italian explorer and navigator Amerigo Vespucci, this ship remains an iconic symbol of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare), continuing to serve as a testament to maritime tradition and naval training excellence.
The Amerigo Vespucci is often considered the most beautiful ship in the world due to its classical design and elegant appearance. It has participated in numerous international tall ship races and events, gaining recognition and admiration globally. A memorable episode took place recently on September 1st, 2022. While navigating the waters of the Adriatic Sea, the Amerigo Vespucci encountered the American aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush.
The US Navy commander, David-Tavis Pollard, asked, ‹‹Are you the same sailing ship that crossed paths with the aircraft carrier Independence in 1962?››. Upon receiving an affirmative reply from the Vespucci’s captain, Massimiliano Siragusa, Pollard asked, ‹‹After 60 years, are you still in service?››. With pride, Siragusa replied, ‹‹We are the oldest ship still in service in the world››. At that point, a tribute came from the American aircraft carrier: ‹‹After 60 years, you are still the most beautiful ship in the world››.
Pollard’s remark was far from casual; it referenced the historic encounter that took place in the Mediterranean on July 12th, 1962, when the Amerigo Vespucci crossed paths with the USS Independence. During this famed meeting, the American aircraft carrier sent a light signal asking, ‹‹Who are you?››. The response was succinct and proud: ‹‹Training ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy››. The final words of this brief naval exchange became legendary when the Americans replied, ‹‹You are the most beautiful ship in the world››.
This episode is a stunning testament to the Amerigo Vespucci’s recognized beauty, a recognition echoed in many other instances. It is not uncommon for aircraft carriers and much larger ships to halt in admiration of the Italian tall ship, often yielding the right of way to the Vespucci.
Historical Background
Now, let’s delve into the history of the Amerigo Vespucci. In the latter half of the 1920s, the Italian Navy embarked on a mission to modernize its training vessels for the cadets of the Naval Academy. Despite the fleet’s shift towards cutting-edge technology, it was concluded that the most impactful training for cadets would be aboard a sailing ship. Such a vessel, deeply influenced by the sea and wind, demands a comprehensive understanding of the natural elements. After all, since 1893 cadets of the Italian Naval Academy had been honing their skills on a sailing ship (also named Amerigo Vespucci), a former cruiser that entered service in 1885 before being adapted as a training vessel.
As the operational life of the first Vespucci neared its end in 1925, the decision was made to construct two new training ships, designed in the style of late 18th/early 19th-century vessels. The first of these, the Cristoforo Colombo, entered service in 1928 and served as a training ship until 1943. After World War II, it was handed over to the Soviet Union as part of war reparations.
The second ship was the Amerigo Vespucci, designed by Lieutenant Colonel Francesco Rotundi and meticulously constructed at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, near Naples, an establishment with a storied history of shipbuilding dating back to the 18th century. Launched on February 22nd, 1931, it set sail on July 4th, 1931, for its maiden training campaign in Northern Europe.
The ship’s design reflects the elegance and grandeur of classical sailing vessels, with its hull painted in distinctive black and white stripes and its decks crafted from fine teak wood. The stern is adorned with intricate carvings and gilded decorations, including a figurehead depicting Amerigo Vespucci himself. The ship’s interior is equally impressive, featuring ornate cabins and mess rooms that showcase Italian craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Voyages and Training Activities
Throughout its long and illustrious career, the Amerigo Vespucci has sailed to numerous destinations around the world, participating in tall ship races, naval reviews, and international goodwill missions. The ship’s presence at these events serves to promote Italy’s maritime heritage and strengthen diplomatic ties with other nations. No surprise the Amerigo Vespucci is often described as a floating ambassador, representing the Italian Navy and showcasing the country’s naval traditions and seafaring excellence.
Since its commissioning, the Amerigo Vespucci has conducted annual training activities (except for 1940 due to wartime events, and 1964, 1973, and 1997 due to major maintenance). These activities primarily benefit the cadets of the Naval Academy but also include students from the Naval College and young members of sailing associations.
In addition to numerous short campaigns in the Mediterranean, mostly during spring and autumn, from 1931 to 2013, the Amerigo Vespucci undertook 86 training campaigns: 45 in Northern Europe, 26 in the Mediterranean, 4 in the Eastern Atlantic, 8 in North America, 1 in South America, and 2 as part of a circumnavigation of the globe completed between May 2002 and September 2003. As of July 1st, 2023, it embarked on a new circumnavigation, lasting until February 11th, 2025, visiting 36 ports in 31 countries and touching all five continents. On tourvespucci.it, you can follow the new world tour of the Amerigo Vespucci and book a visit to the ship at one of its stopover ports.
The primary role of the Amerigo Vespucci, anyway, is to serve as a training ship for the Italian Navy’s cadets. The training campaigns, conducted during the summer, typically last about three months and usually visit non-Italian ports. During these campaigns, cadets learn the fundamental rules of life at sea and gain specific skills in various sectors. In addition to hands-on activities, conferences and lectures are organized, delivered by the most experienced crew members.
Training aboard the Amerigo Vespucci is rigorous and comprehensive, designed to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience in cadets. The experience of working on a tall ship, with its complex rigging and reliance on wind power, offers invaluable lessons in leadership and problem-solving. Cadets learn to handle sails, navigate using traditional and modern methods, and maintain the ship’s equipment and systems. The training program also emphasizes the importance of naval traditions and camaraderie, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among future officers.
Amerigo Vespucci’s Specifications
From a technical and construction standpoint, the Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing ship equipped with an engine. Its rigging is classified as “ship-rigged”, featuring three vertical masts: the foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast, all outfitted with yards and square sails, plus a bowsprit extending forward, effectively serving as a fourth mast. The mast heights above sea level are 50 meters for the foremast, 54 meters for the mainmast, and 43 meters for the mizzenmast, with the bowsprit extending 18 meters.
The total sail area, spread across 24 sails, is approximately 2,635 square meters. The sails are made from Olona canvas (hemp fabric), with a thickness ranging between 2 and 4 millimeters, crafted by stitching together multiple strips. When fully rigged, the ship can achieve impressive speeds relative to its weight (about 4,100 tons), with a record speed of 14.6 knots.
Notable features of the ship include the ornate bow decorations and the intricate stern arabesque, both made of wood and covered in pure gold leaf. Talking about size, the Amerigo Vespucci measures 82 meters at the waterline, but from the extreme stern to the tip of the bowsprit, it reaches 101 meters. The maximum width is 15.5 meters, extending to 21 meters when considering the additional boats projecting from the sides (11 in total), and up to 28 meters including the ends of the longest yard.
The propulsion system consists of a sophisticated diesel-electric setup, comprising two 12-cylinder diesels producing 1,770 hp and two 8-cylinder diesels producing 1,019 hp, along with a main electric motor with a power output of 2,840 kW. The crew comprises 264 military personnel, swelling to around 400 during training campaigns, including about 100 cadets and support staff from the Naval Academy.
The original motto of the Amerigo Vespucci was “For the Fatherland and for the King”, which was replaced after World War II with “Steadfast in the fury of the winds and the events”. Since 1978, the new motto of the Amerigo Vespucci became “Not who begins, but who perseveres”.
The Amerigo Vespucci’s Impact on Maritime Heritage
The Amerigo Vespucci’s impact extends beyond its role as a training vessel and ambassador of Italian naval heritage. The ship contributes to the preservation and promotion of traditional seamanship skills and maritime culture. Its participation in tall ship events and educational initiatives always inspires new generations of sailors and maritime enthusiasts, encouraging them to explore and appreciate the rich history of seafaring.
Moreover, the Amerigo Vespucci’s enduring presence serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving historic ships and maritime traditions. In an era where technological advancements and modern vessels dominate the maritime landscape, the Amerigo Vespucci stands as a testament to the timeless appeal and educational value of traditional sailing ships.
In addition to its training role, the Amerigo Vespucci inspires countless individuals with its grace and grandeur. The ship’s visits to ports around the world often attract large crowds, eager to catch a glimpse of this maritime masterpiece. I’m one of them, having had the fortune to visit the ship many years ago during a stopover in the port of Messina, Sicily. For many, including me, the Amerigo Vespucci represents a link to the past, a reminder of the golden age of sail, and a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and adventure.
Amerigo Vespucci: the Famous Explorer
Impossible to close this article without mentioning the renowned navigator from which this ship takes its name and after whom the American continent is named. Amerigo Vespucci’s voyages have been pivotal in the annals of exploration, as they convinced the scholars of his time that the lands discovered during those years (the late 1400s) were not part of Asia, as Christopher Columbus believed, but were indeed a “New World”, as Vespucci himself described it.
Unlike Columbus’ discoveries, which were jealously guarded by the King of Spain, Vespucci’s voyages were openly shared with the scientific and cultural communities (without him seeking significant wealth or privileges from his discoveries). Consequently, Vespucci’s name entered the collective imagination of the era as the discoverer of the “New World” before Columbus. For this reason, in his 1507 work Cosmographiae Introductio, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller proposed naming the new continent “America”, using the feminine form of Vespucci’s Latinized name (Americus Vespucius).
Last but not least, Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512) is not only responsible for the name of the American continent but also for the name of the state of Venezuela. During his first voyage (1497-1498), Vespucci visited the Gulf of Mexico and ascended the Atlantic coast of the United States. The stilt houses in the area of Lake Maracaibo reminded him of Venice (Venezia in Italian), so he named the region “Venezziola”, which in Spanish became Venezuela.
Over time, numerous controversies have arisen regarding the voyages undertaken by Vespucci. Based on various types of documents, two different theories have emerged regarding the number of expeditions attributed to him (two or four). However, recent studies firmly attribute four voyages to Vespucci: 1497-1498, 1499-1500, 1501-1502, and 1503-1504.