Local Life

The relationship between Venice, the Venetians and the Big Ships docking in town is a very sensitive topic, therefore it is of extreme importance to analyse and break down this subject in order to understand it and its consequences.

The Amerigo Vespucci, built in 1930-1931 at the Cantiere Navale di Castellammare di Stabia (Naples), was the second of two school ships designer by the Navy Engineer General Lieutenant Francesco Rotundi and inspired by the style of late 18th century 74-cannon ships.

With a vessel’s hull lenght of 82.4m (the total lenght reaches 101m with the front bowsprit) a maximum width of 15.5 m, a draught of around 7m and a full load of 4146 tons, the Amerigo is propelled thanks to a 30km hemp ropes rig over 3 steel masts that supports 26 different canvas sails totalling a surface of 2824 m², or 30.000 ft²: when under sail in strong wind conditions, she can reach speeds of up to 22 km/h, or 12 knots!

Venice is an incredibly safe city, yet there is something children in Venice have to look out for every single day they are out playing.