|
|
| Libertad |
ARA Libertad
(Q-2) is a tall ship which serves as a school ship in the
Argentine Navy. She was built in the 1950s at the Rio Santiago
shipyards near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her maiden voyage was in
1962, and she continues to be a school ship with yearly instruction
voyages for the graduating naval cadets.
She has just finished (April 2007) undergoing a general
overhaul which includes the addition of facilities for female cadets
and crew in line with current diversity policies in the Navy and the
updating of the engines and navigation technology. Her main
characteristics are: Length (including bowsprit): 103.75m; Beam:
14.31m; Draft: 6.60m; Displacement: 3765 Tonnes; Masts: 3; Crew: 357
souls (including 150 naval cadets).
Rigging: Square rigged. Three masts (Fore, Main and Mizzen
with boom) and bowsprit, with double topsails and 5 yardarms per
mast, which can balance up to 45 degrees on each side. Five jibs are
fixed to the bowsprit, the foremast has 5 square sails and two jibs,
the mainmast has 5 square sails and 3 jibs and the mizzen has 5
square sails and a spanker. Sail area: 2.652 sq. metres; max. height
of mainmast 56,2 metres.
Armament: Four 47 mm cannons, 1891 model, which were
transferred from the previous School Ship (Fragata ARA Presidente
Sarmiento), used as a salute battery. She won the Boston
Teapot Trophy in 1966, 1976, 1981, 1987, 1992 and 1998
In 1966 she established the world record for transatlantic
crossing (only sail navigation) between Capr Race (Canada) and
Dursey Island (Ireland), 1,741.4 nautical miles (3,225.1 km) in 6
days and 4 hours. The Commander of the ship was Commander Guillermo
Franke, and the Boston Teapot was given away by Prince Philip, Duke
of Edinburgh in name of Queen Elizabeth II, because she refused to
do so, since the Captain's rank was not Admiral.
She participated in the celebrations of the United States
Bicentennial on July 4, 1976 by sailing in parade, with many other
tall ships from all over the world, on the Hudson River, in front of
New York City in what was called Operation Sail. Many spectators on
the shores gave their backs to the ship, as well as to the Chilean
Esmeralda, because these countries were then administered by
dictatorships. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
| |
|