The Amerigo Vespucci training ship of the Italian Navy was launched on February 22, 1931, at Castellammare di Stabia, in the presence of her godmother, Mrs. Elena Cerio, daughter of the Maritime Commander Oscar Cerio. The date had been carefully chosen: in fact, February 22 marks the anniversary of the death of the famous Florentine navigator and explorer, whose name the ship bears, Amerigo Vespucci. From a technical and construction point of view, the Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing ship with an engine; while from that of the sailing equipment it is 'ship-armed', therefore with three vertical masts all equipped with flagpoles and square sails, plus the bowsprit protruding at the bow, in effect a fourth mast.
The crew of the Amerigo Vespucci is made up of 14 officers, 72 non-commissioned officers and 190 sub-chiefs and municipalities. In the summer months it also embarks the first year students of the Naval Academy of Livorno (about 140) for a total of 470 people on board. It is considered the most beautiful ship in existence.
