Esmeralda (BE-43)

Esmeralda (BE-43) is a steel-hulled four-masted barquentine tall ship of the Chilean Navy.

Related Topics:
Barquentine - Tall ship - Chilean Navy

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The ship is the sixth to carry the name Esmeralda. The first was frigate Esmeralda captured from the Spanish at Callao, Peru by Captain O'Brien of the Chilean Navy, in a bold incursion the night of 5 November, 1820. The second was corvette Esmeralda of the Chilean Navy which, set against superior forces, fought until sunk with colors flying on May 21, 1879 at the Battle of Iquique. These events mark important milestones for the Chilean Navy and the ship's name is said to evoke the values of courage and sacrifice.

Related Topics:
Callao - Peru - 5 November - 1820 - May 21 - 1879 - Battle of Iquique

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She began construction in Cadiz, Spain in 1946. During her construction in 1947 the yard in which she was being built suffered catastrophic explosions which damaged the ship and placed the yard on the brink of bankruptcy. Further work on the ship was temporarily halted. In 1950 Chile and Spain entered into negotiations in which Spain offered to repay debts incurred to Chile as a result of the Spanish Civil War in the form of manufactured products, including the not yet completed Esmeralda. Chile accepted the offer and the ship was formally transferred to the ownership of Chile in 1951. Work then continued on the ship. She was finally launched 12 May, 1953 with an audience of 5,000 people in attendance. She was christened by Mrs. Raquel Vicuña de Orrego using a bottle wrapped in the national colors of Spain and Chile. She was delivered to the Government of Chile on 15 June, 1954, Captain Horacio Cornejo Tagle in command.

Related Topics:
Cadiz - Spain - 1946 - 1947 - 1950 - Chile - Spanish Civil War - 1951 - 12 May - 1953 - 15 June - 1954

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Her first sailing was to the Canary Islands and then on to New Orleans where a distillation plant was installed. She then proceeded through the Panama Canal and arrived at Valparaíso, Chile on1 September, 1954 to much fanfare.

Related Topics:
Canary Islands - New Orleans - Panama Canal - Valparaíso - 1 September - 1954

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Since her commissioning, Esmeralda has been a training ship for the Chilean Navy. She has visited more than 300 ports worldwide acting as a floating embassy for Chile. She has participated in Operation Sail at New York in 1964, 1976 and 1989. She participated in Osaka World Sail in 1983. She has also participated in International Regattas of Sails in 1964, 1976, 1982 and 1990 winning the coveted Cutty Sark Trophy in the latter two participations.

Related Topics:
New York - 1964 - 1976 - 1989 - Osaka - 1983 - 1982 - 1990 - Cutty Sark Trophy

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Esmeralda is the second tallest sailing ship in the world.

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