Ships equipped with sails were considered the vogue in the departed days. Technology in the
form of engines exceeded those marine marvels, along with better speed and thus greater
efficiency.
Nonetheless, although their utility value lowered, their uniqueness and novelty
remain to linger on. Throughout the years, a lot of replicas of tall ships have been made.
Some of those replicas are utilised as cruise vessels while others only offer a feel of the
years long gone by.
Below is a short compilation of three of the biggest tall ships of all time that would help
you in offering a better insight into those supreme vessels.
#1 Barque Sedov
This tall ship was originally known as the Magdalene Vinnen II. It was created in Germany in
1921 and was utilised mainly as a cargo vessel until 1936 in which she was transformed into
a naval training ship.
After World War II, this ship was handed over to the Soviet Navy, and her name was converted
to Sedov after the renowned Soviet explore Sir Georgy Sedov.
One of the unique aspects of
this tall ship is the time of its construction. Apart from its four sailing steel masts,
this ship boasts an ancillary engine built.
Sedov has an overall height of 58.00 meters and length of 108.70 meters. For almost eighty
years, it was considered as the biggest tall ship in operation.
She regularly participates
in the massive maritime global events as a privileged host, and she has also been a regular
member in the Tall Ships’ Races.
Sedov is also the vessel on which the young cadets of the University of Murmansk and St.
Petersburg in Russia train to become radio specialists, mechanics and officers. This tall
ship could accommodate approximately 320 passengers on board among which 75 are crewmembers,
at least 120 cadets and in a few years, as many as 45 trainees of any nationality to explore
life aboard a tall ship.
#2 Royal Clipper
The Royal Clipper is a cruise ship, which was created on the lines of the Preussen – a 5-mast
sail ship that was constructed in 1902. Today, the Royal Clipper is known as the world’s
biggest sailing ship along with five masts, which are fully rigged.
The cruise provides a Mediterranean cruise throughout the summer while providing a Caribbean
cruise throughout the winter.
Considered as one of the tall sailing ships, the Royal Clipper
founds a place in the renowned Guinness Book of World Record as the largest and biggest
sailing ship along with squarely rigged masts.
With her complement of forty-two sails that have an overall area of 56,000 ft., the Royal
Clipper stands amongst other ships in many ways. The ability to carry more passengers,
longer and heavier than both Star Flyer and Star Clipper, this monarchical beauty increases
from the waves gorgeously and leaves all that sail in her enthralled.
For those sail cruising connoisseurs and dedicated travellers, the 439-foot Royal Clipper
provides a sea-going experience like no other. Exploring a wonderful balance between
adventure, luxury and tradition of classic sailing, as well as excellent facilities,
conveniences and cabins linked with the finest modern yacht.
#3 Preussen
This German ship was the biggest sailing ship wonder at the period of its launch at the
beginning of the twentieth century. Creatively ingenious, the hull of the ship was made of
steel, and it was powered along with five fully rigged masts.
At that period, the tall ship
takes pride in being the only ship that has five masts along with fully rigged sails.
It has a waterline length of 124 meters and an overall hull length of 132 meters.
The hull
was 16.4 meters wide, and the tall ship has a displacement of 11,330 feet for an efficient
carrying power of 8,100 feet.
Utilised as a cargo vessel to carry nitrate in the continent of South America, the Preussen
with an ill-timed end when a Brighton – a steamer ran it down.
These tall ships are a crucial part of the marine heritage of the world. Throughout the
years, many developments will happen that will carve different innovations to the current
marine pool of vessels.
However, it would be hard to determine how much those developments
will impact the inheritance passed on by those biggest tall ships.