The steam frigate ARA Presidente Sarmiento was built in Birkenhead, UK in 1897 for the Argentine navy. Although armed with four deck mounted 5 inch gun mounts, her primary role was as a training ship. During her career she undertook six round the world trips before she was retired as an ocean going vessel in 1938. She continued to serve in a coastal role until in 1958 she was restored to her 1898 rig as a museum ship at Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires.
Puerto Madero is a gentrified old port development. Dockside warehouses have been converted into restaurants, bars and shops. It is a very pleasant area and well worth a visit.
The Presidente Sarmiento is a very handsome ship that is a pleasant tourist drawcard.
ARA Uruguay
In the adjoining harbour is the ARA Uruguay, an older steam corvette built in England in 1874.
The Uruguay was built as a steam corvette and gunboat, however, being built in a time of technological flux, quickly became obsolete and after ten years service she was relegated to a training role. Nevertheless, she had an adventurous career as she became an Antarctic exploration vessel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARA_Uruguay
Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and can entertain a tourist for many days just wandering its streets. The Puerto Madero basin and the two museum ships are well worth a visit. Entry fees to the ships is very cheap and of course all fees go towards the upkeep of the ships.
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