The training ship Amerigo Vespucci entered the Gulf of Castellammare shortly before 11:00 a.m., drawing tourists and residents to watch its arrival. The local report described the return as a moment of strong community participation, with onlookers following the sailing ship as it approached Stabia.
After the Castellammare stop, the ship was expected in Naples from September 20 to September 25, according to the same report.
A Stabia-built ship
The welcome in Castellammare di Stabia was a homecoming in the literal sense. The Amerigo Vespucci was built and fitted out at the Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia, to a design by Francesco Rotundi.
She was laid down in 1930, launched on February 22, 1931, and commissioned as a training ship on June 6, 1931.
An ambassador under sail
The Vespucci is an auxiliary-powered sailing ship with three principal masts, a bowsprit, and 24 sails with a total sail area of about 2,800 square meters.
The Castellammare call came during the period of the ship's 2023-2025 world tour program. The official tour site describes that program as a 24-month voyage across five continents, 33 countries, and 53 ports, accompanied by the Villaggio Italia.
In that program, the Vespucci is presented as a travelling ambassador of Made in Italy and UNESCO values, while the Villaggio Italia is described as a travelling exhibition devoted to Italian excellence.
