L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 4 E m b a r k i n g o n a two-year voyage, s p a n n i n g 40,000 nautical miles around the g l o b e , t h e A m e r i g o Vespucci will grace the five continents through 31 stops, including a visit to Los Ange- les in July 2024. Departing from Genoa amidst a flurry of emotion, the ship carries with it eager young officer cadets, their eyes fixed on the horizon, ready for their i n i t i a t i o n i n t o l i f e a t s e a aboard Italy's most revered naval training ship. Underscoring the signifi- cance of this journey—the ship's second world tour in 9 2 y e a r s — w a s t h e I t a l i a n T r i c o l o r e f i l l i n g t h e s k y , courtesy of a dramatic flyby by the Frecce Tricolori. With its 82 meters, three masts, and 24 hemp sails s t e e p e d i n h i s t o r y , t h e Amerigo Vespucci is not only a testament to centuries of maritime but also a noble embodiment of Italy itself. A s A d m i r a l E n r i c o C r e - dendino, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, put it, "It's the entire country that sails, t h e V e s p u c c i i s I t a l y i n motion." From the innovations and products of Italy's industry to its culinary and oenologi- cal delights, to the state-of- the-art scientific equipment t h a t w i l l m e a s u r e c o s m i c rays at different latitudes, the Vespucci—often hailed as "the most beautiful ship in the world"—has the distin- guished task of being Italy's a m b a s s a d o r t o t h e world, promoting its art, wine, design, technology, and most importantly, its identity. This national cul- tural and economic treasure is supported by the govern- ment and enriched by presti- gious encounters, such as the one with another emblem of Italian beauty and innova- tion. On the first weekend after departure, just off the Cata- lan coasts, the Vespucci was joined by the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, zipping past "one of the largest existing s a i l i n g s h i p s t o d a y , " a s Admiral Credendino noted. The Luna Rossa, which will represent Italy in the 37th America's Cup next year, is a perfect representation of hi- tech design, sport, and team spirit, and had previously crossed paths with the Lady of the Seas in Auckland 20 years ago during the 31st edition of the Cup. "Luna Rossa and the Navy's train- i n g s h i p a r e t w o i c o n s o f Italian sailing," stated Max Sirena , team director of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. "Despite their age, type, and design differences, both ves- s e l s a r e g o v e r n e d b y t h e same laws of sea and wind." Echoing this sentiment, the Commander of the Vespucci, Captain Luigi Romagnoli, wished the Luna Rossa "fair winds and following seas" f o r t h e i r u p c o m i n g c h a l - lenge. "The Navy and Luna Rossa," he noted, "are gear- i n g u p f o r t w o l e g e n d a r y m a r i t i m e c h a l l e n g e s : a round-the-world voyage and the America's Cup. Though our vessels are vastly differ- e n t , t h e y a r e b o t h t r u l y unique in their own right. What binds us is our shared dedication, professionalism, and team spirit, along with a profound respect for the sea and its rules." L a u n c h e d o n F e b r u a r y 22, 1931, in honor of the Flo- rentine navigator Amerigo Vespucci who christened the N e w W o r l d , t h e s h i p "Amerigo Vespucci" is cur- rently the oldest vessel in service in the Italian Navy. It was fully built and outfit- ted in the Royal Naval Ship- y a r d o f C a s t e l l a m a r e d i Stabia in 1930, and deliv- ered to the Royal Navy the f o l l o w i n g y e a r . I t j o i n e d forces with the "Cristoforo Colombo," a slightly smaller and three-year-older vessel, t o f o r m t h e " D i v i s i o n o f Training Ships." The pair conducted nine educational c a m p a i g n s a c r o s s t h e Mediterranean, Northern E u r o p e , a n d t h e A t l a n t i c until World War II broke out. Afterward, the Colombo was transferred to the Soviet Union as war damage com- pensation and was decom- missioned in the 1960s. From a technical and con- struction standpoint, it is a motor-powered sailing ship and is "ship-rigged," which means it has three vertical m a s t s — f o r e , m a i n , a n d mizzen—all furnished with yardarms and square sails. A protruding bowsprit at the bow essentially serves as a fourth mast. The vessel is also equipped with jib sails p o s i t i o n e d a t t h e b o w , between the bowsprit and the foremast, and staysails between the foremast and m a i n m a s t , a s w e l l a s between the mainmast and mizzenmast. A boom-and- peak-equipped mainsail is fitted on the mizzenmast. The ship's hull encom- p a s s e s t h r e e c o n t i n u o u s m a i n d e c k s f r o m b o w t o stern, supplemented by sev- eral partial decks. On the d e c k a r e t w o s u p e r s t r u c - tures: a forecastle at the bow and a poop deck at the stern. The vessel's distinctive black and white color scheme pays h o m a g e t o t h e p a s t : t h e white stripes aligning with t h e b a t t e r y a n d c o r r i d o r decks recall the two rows of cannons of a 19th-century ship, which served as inspi- ration for the designer. At the bow of the ship, a figure- h e a d d e p i c t s A m e r i g o V e s p u c c i a n d i s m a d e o f gilded bronze. The ship also f e a t u r e s i n t r i c a t e a d o r n - m e n t s a t t h e b o w a n d a gold-leaf-covered arabesque at the stern. Numerous sec- tions of the ship, including the deck and helm, are craft- e d f r o m t e a k w o o d , w i t h e q u i p m e n t m a d e f r o m mahogany and lignum vitae. The officers' quarters are furnished with ash and oak, while mahogany and walnut wood are used in the council room. T h e s h i p s p a n s 1 5 . 5 Italy is in motion, with the Amerigo Vespucci BARBARA MINAFRA Continued to page 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS The Amerigo Vespucci, in all her beauty (Photo: Pier Paolo Todaro/Dreamstime) and, in the left corner, her namesake, explorer Amerigo Vespucci himself (Photo: Georgios Kollidas/Dreamstime)

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