Friday 22 May 2020

Frigate Presidente Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, Argentina


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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