Italian training ship Palinuro

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Palinuro.jpg
History
Name: Palinuro
Owner: Italian Navy
Operator: Italian Navy
Builder: Anciens Chantiers Dubigeon, Nantes (France)
Laid down: 1933
Launched: 21 March 1934
Commissioned: 1934
Recommissioned: 16 July 1955
Renamed:
  • Commandant Louis Richard (1934),
  • Jean Marc Aline (1948),
  • Palinuro (16 july 1951)
Homeport: La Maddalena
Identification: MMSI 247939000
Motto: Faventibus Ventis
Status: Still in service
General characteristics
Type: Iron-hulled barquentine
Tonnage:
  • - 1,341 t (1,320 long tons) full load
  • - 858 t (844 long tons) full load (gross tons)
Length:
  • - 69 m (226 ft 5 in) LOA
  • - 59 m (194 ft) LPP
Beam: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Height: 37.50 m (123 ft 0 in) at mainmast
Draught: 4.80 m (15 ft 9 in)
Sail plan: Barquentine rig, 15 sails, 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft)
Speed: 9.5 knots (17.6 km/h; 10.9 mph)
Endurance:
Crew: 84 (of which, 6 officiers) plus 54 cadets/trainees

Palinuro is a three-masted, iron-hulled barquentine, active as sail training vessel for the Italian Navy.

Palinuro is named after Palinurus the famous helmsman of Aeneas's ship (after the fall of Troy the defeated Trojans detoured the Mediterranean). Palinurus is seen as a prototype of an experienced navigator or guide.

History[edit]

Built at the shipyard Anciens Chantiers Dubigeon in Nantes by order of Joseph Briand (together with her sister ship Lieutenant René Guillon) and named Commandant Louis Richard, the ship was intended as barquentine. However the building costs of both ships ruined the original customer even before the ships were finished. The new owner Pècheries du Labrador from Saint-Malo finished the ships as schooner to be used for cod fishing.

In 1948 Commandant Louis Richard was bought by shipowner Bonin from Noirmoutier-en-Île, changed to a barquentine and renamed Jean Marc Aline to be used for fishing in the Southern Indian Ocean. Eventually this activity became unprofitable, thus the ship was set for sale.

In 1951 the Italian Navy was looking for a replacement for the Cristoforo Colombo (passed to the Soviet Union), bought the vessel and renamed her Palinuro. After a complete renovation the ship is used as training vessel for Senior Ratings.

External links[edit]

Line art of Palinuro
Palinuro off the coast of Liguria