Sailing ships are beautiful for many reasons. One of the key factors is their graceful design. These ships are often admired for their elegant and sleek appearance, with tall masts, flowing lines, and billowing sails that create a sense of grace and beauty. This design is not just aesthetic but also functional, allowing the ships to harness the power of the wind and navigate the seas efficiently.
Ships with sails were the vogue in the bygone days. Technology in the form of engines surpassed these marine marvels, with better speed and thereby higher efficiency. However, even though their utility value diminished their novelty and uniqueness still continues to linger on.
Over the years, many replicas of sailing ships have been created. Some of these replicas are used as cruise vessels while some just provide a feel of the years long gone by.
Detailed below is a compilation of five of the biggest ships with sails of all time which would help in providing a better insight into these unparallel vessels:
5 Most Beautiful Sailing Ships
1. Barque Sedov
Originally known as the Magdalene Vinnen II, the sail ship was built in Germany in the 1921 and was mainly used as a cargo ship until the year 1936 in which she was converted into a naval training vessel. After the Second World War, she was handed over to the Soviet navy and her name was changed to Sedov after the famous Soviet explorer Georgy Sedov. The most unique aspect about the Sedov is that at the time of construction, in addition to the four sailing steel masts, it had an ancillary engine built.
At present after nearly 90 years past her construction, the Sedov is still in operation and is used as a training vessel for cadets from the Russian universities of St. Petersburg and Murmansk. The biggest sailing ship is also a participant in many of tall sailing ships’ races held across the world.
2. Royal Clipper
The Royal Clipper is a cruise ship that is built on the lines of the Preussen – a five mast sail ship that was built in the year 1902. At present, the Royal Clipper is regarded to be the world’s largest sailing ship with five masts that are rigged fully.
The cruise ship offers a Mediterranean cruise during the summer while offering a Caribbean cruise during the winter. As one of the tall sailing ships, the Royal Clipper finds a place in the esteemed Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest sailing ship with squarely rigged masts.
Also Read, World’s Biggest & Largest Sailing Ship – Flying Clipper – 5 Facts about it
3. Preussen
The German ship Preussen was the largest sailing ship wonder at the time of its launch at the start of the 20th century. Artistically ingenious, the ship’s hull was made of steel and was powered with five fully rigged masts. At that time, the sail ship boasted of being the only vessel to have five masts with fully rigged sails.
Used as a cargo ship to transport nitrate in the South American continent, the Preussen with an untimely end when a Brighton – a steamer ran it down.
4. Juan Sebastian Elcano
Also known as the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the schooner was built in the year 1927 and is third among the world’s tall sailing ships.
Named after Juan Sebastian Elcano, the man who commandeered the fleet during Ferdinand Magellan’s last expedition, the ship sail is presently used as a training vessel for the Spanish Royal naval forces. A steel-hulled four mast sail ship, the Juan Sebastian Elcano is a very popular ship with sails.
5. Thomas W. Lawson
Built by the Fore River Ship and Engine Co. based in Massachusetts in the year 1901, the Thomas W. Lawson was a seven-mast schooner used mainly for the purpose of hauling coal and oil by the Eastern coast of the United States. However on account of the huge size and bulk of the ship, in her later years, she was used only for the purpose of oil cargo transportation and was regarded as the first sailing tanker vessel in the world.
Also Read, Knock Nevis – The Largest Ship Ever Made
The Beauty of Sailing Ships
Another aspect of the beauty of sailing ships is their historical significance. These ships have played crucial roles in exploration, trade, and warfare throughout history. Their beauty is often tied to the stories of adventure and discovery associated with them, evoking a sense of awe and wonder at the feats of exploration and navigation accomplished by sailors in the past.
Sailing ships also evoke a sense of adventure and freedom. The idea of setting sail across the open sea, guided only by the wind, appeals to our sense of wanderlust and desire for exploration. Watching a sailing ship under full sail can be a breathtaking sight, reminding us of the vastness and beauty of the natural world.
Additionally, sailing ships are often seen as symbols of craftsmanship and human ingenuity. The intricate details of their construction, from the rigging to the hull, showcase the skill and artistry of the builders. This craftsmanship adds to their beauty and makes them objects of admiration and inspiration.
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