Amerigo Vespucci brings Italy closer to New Zealand
One the most magnificent ships to be seen in New Zealand in modern times, is currently berthed on Princes Wharf in Auckland.
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| Amerigo Vespucci, berthed on Princes Wharf, Auckland |
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Spotted out on the Hauraki Gulf these days is a splendid tall ship from Italy – the Amerigo Vespucci. Here as part of a cultural goodwill program between the Italian Navy and various countries around the world, the Amerigo Vespucci is in Auckland for six months as they support their fellow Italians in the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Built in 1931, the ship was designed as an exact replica of a Renaissance exploration vessel – most aptly the ship that a young Italian by the name of Amerigo Vespucci sailed on when he charted the American (South and North) continents. (In fact, ‘America’ was named after this young Italian despite Columbus’ subsequent ‘discovery’). Everything on the Amerigo Vespucci is in exact style of the 15th century. The ropes are still sisal, the sails are canvas, there are no electric winches or complicated GPS navigation systems. Instead there’s a crew of almost 300 cadets that climb the rig, haul the ropes (in time to the melodic voice of their leader) and sail the vessel by use of sextants and the stars.
Going out sailing for a day was nothing short of spectacular. With no thrusters or propellers, the 4100-tonne vessel had to be dragged out by small barges before heading out intoAuckland’s waters. Orders from the captain were given by a series of whistles that commandeered the cadets to scurry up the huge rig, or haul the sheets – entirely as if it was 1492 and the ship was leaving Portugal. Sailing the Amerigo Vespucci is an art in as much as it is a science, a sport and an adventure. Dotting the deck are giant human-powered winches with spoke holes for the plank handles. Pushing the spokes around in circles, the sailors manually grind in the sheets. Looking on, there are, (and I’m not kidding), three sailors scrubbing the decks and singing Italian ballads as they work.
With an average speed of 5 knots, the Amerigo Vespucci doesn’t exactly speed along but it does go majestically. Heading up to the bridge, it is alarming to see how basic and traditional it is. Four large wheels interlock to drive the rudder. Two men are needed on each wheel which have to be turned nine rotations each just to turn the boat one degree. Nothing is hydraulic and there isn’t an electronic gadget in sight.
Daily life doesn’t seem that bad. The food is certainly better than back in Vespucci’s day – there’s even a full-blown espresso cafe which serves the best in Italian coffee.
Public tours of the Amerigo Vespucci are available most afternoons – if you’re down at the Viaduct, check the schedule by the second gangway and get yourself on board!
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