One of the best-loved ships afloat is the Presidential yacht of the Argentine, the Presidente Sarmiento, for 43 years a cadet training ship for the South American republic's Navy.
Two stamps have been issued in commemoration of her long service, the first, in 1939, on the completion of her school ship days, before she was converted into the Presidential yacht; the second honouring her 50 years in the service of the republic. On three occasions in her long career it was decided to withdraw her from service but her hold on the affections of Argentinian naval men in particular, and the public in general, proved too strong for this to be carried out. It was first mooted in 1918, and the Argentine Press voiced a strong national protest; in 1925 the matter again came up, but her general state was deemed to be so good that an overhaul and refit at her birthplace, by her builders, Messrs. Cammell Laird & Co., Ltd., Birkenhead, was eventually decided upon. In 1939, owing to modern conditions of warfare out-dating her in many respects, she was replaced by La Argentina, a new British-built craft, but the sentimental regard of the country for her was still so high that she was converted into a Presidential yacht.
At the time of her refit in 1925, the frigate, in her 25 trips as a school ship, had covered over 700,000 miles and had visited during her mission of peace and instruction all the maritime countries of the world, traversed every sea, and encountered in the Yellow Sea and Caribbean Sea three typhoons, without meeting any severe misfortune. Her shortest voyage was 20,000 miles. All the officials of the Argentine Navy have passed through the ship, either as officers or cadets. As young men, many the higher executives to-day trod her decks and cherish memories of the days spent on board her.
The Presidente Sarmiento was built in 1897, and 'it is uncertain whether, on August 31, 1897, she was launched or floated in the dock in which she was built. She was called "Sarah, Me Auntie" by the workmen who built her but found her full title rather awkward
Argentina SG670, 795, 2553 (SB 3/48)
Presidente Sarmiento
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shipstamps
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Presidente Sarmiento
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