The Tall Ship Cuauhtemoc

Early last month a few of us took a cruise around Cuba, visiting several cities on the island as well as stopping briefly in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Disembarking in Havana we noticed a beautiful sailing ship and thought it would be quite cool to vacation on it.  Turns out it was the Cuauhtémoc —  and it belongs to the Mexican Navy!

 

The Cuauhtémoc tall ship was built in Bilbao, Spain, and was delivered to her first crew in July 1982 to be used for training and good will by the Mexican navy.  It’s named for the last ruler of Tenochtitlan, who defeated Spanish forces under Cortés but was captured and executed five years later in 1525.

 

This three-masted ship carries 220 tons of diesel fuel and 110 tons of fresh water because the hold is too small for a true water purification system. The ship’s figurehead pays homage to its namesake, the headpiece a jade-colored eagle and the body covered in golden leaf; it holds a weapon in the right hand, a shield in the left, and has flames coming from his feet.

While the primary mission is training naval academy cadets, the Cuauhtémoc has become a Mexican ambassador to the world, flying the national flag in more than 147 ports around the world.  While in foreign ports, the public is allowed onboard for tours.  The Cuauhtémoc also participates in races including the Cutty Sark and the Osaka.  She has sailed three circumnavigation cruises and crossed the Panama canal 32 times. Her home port is Acapulco.