Tall Ship Esmeralda

Today we overtook the Chilean tall ship Esmeralda. A beautiful sailing vessel but sad enough, with a mixed reputation. Built in 1946 for the Spanish Navy, she was given to the Chilean government. The vessel was used for trainees until dictator Pinochet misused as a floating prison. During these dark years between 1973 and 1980 numerous opponents of Pinochet were kept prisoner on board and were even tortured and killed on het decks. She visited the Sail Parade in Amsterdam recently and a protest march was held on the quay. It is a cross this vessel has to bear, although the dictator has died (in freedom) years and years ago.