D22fish -- There is a strong connection between the Juan Sebastian de Elcano and La Esmeralda, which can both be built out of the Artesania Latina kit. I know that Chile is not Argentina, but for at least a few decades, the Esmeralda has served Chile as a naval training vessel. Here is some South American history of the Esmeralda, and some links to the Chilean naval history:
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The training ship "Esmeralda" was acquired from Spain, whose Navy, in 1946, ordered the construction of a sailing vessel, hull number 32, from the Echevarrieta and Larrinaga shipyards in Cádiz, to replace the training ship "Juan Sebastián de Elcano." Construction began that same year. It was designated "Juan de Austria." On August 18, 1947, an explosion at the Submarine Defense Base caused such destruction at the shipyard that construction of the sailing vessel was halted and the shipyard was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Spanish government then assumed the shipyard's debts and created the Sociedad Astilleros de Cádiz SA (Sociedad Astilleros de Cádiz SA). Despite this, construction of the sailing vessel, whose hull was on the slipway without rigging and had suffered extensive damage from the explosion, was not resumed.
For several years, Spain had imported thousands of tons of saltpeter from Chile to revive its agriculture, devastated by the Civil War, taking advantage of a loan from the Chilean government. In the last week of September 1950, the Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in Chile, Eduardo Viada, and his Naval Attaché, Commander Leopoldo Boado y Endiza, met with the Undersecretary of the Navy, Rear Admiral Pedro Espina Ritche, to inform him of Spain's inability to make the loan payments and that Spain offered to pay with manufactured goods, including those from the shipbuilding sector.
On June 15, 1954, then Lieutenant Ramón Undurraga Carvajal, great-grandson of Commander Arturo Prat, raised the National Flag for the first time.
On June 15, 1954, then Lieutenant Ramón Undurraga Carvajal, great-grandson of Commander Arturo Prat, raised the National Flag for the first time.
Rear Admiral Espina was interested in the unfinished "Juan de Austria", which he reported to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Carlos Torres Hevia, who, after multiple efforts and the collaboration of the Ambassador of Spain in Chile, Mr. José María Doussinague, obtained the approval of the acquisition by the President of the Republic, Mr. Gabriel González Videla.
The President's proposal was approved by the National Congress by Law No. 10,233, of December 27, 1951, at a cost of US$ 2,980,000.
On May 12, 1953, at 1:30 p.m., coinciding with the highest tide, the hull of the Training Ship was launched from the slipways of the Cádiz Shipyards SA.
On June 15, 1954, the Sociedad de Astilleros de Cádiz SA delivered the ship to the Republic of Chile, represented by His Excellency the Ambassador of Chile to Spain, Óscar Salas Letelier.
On June 16, 1954, the sailing ship departed from Cádiz under the command of Captain Horacio Cornejo Tagle, bound for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. From there, it sailed to New Orleans, where a distillation plant was installed. Once the installation was complete, it set sail for Panama and then on to Tongoy, Chile, where it was received by the Chilean Navy. In this port, it prepared for its voyage to Valparaíso. It arrived in Valparaíso on September 1, 1954, amidst a grand welcome from the local population. On September 4, it was visited by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Carlos Ibáñez del Campo.
More than 50 years training new generations of sailors
The training ship "Esmeralda" has been in service for over 50 years, since the Astilleros de Cádiz SA shipyard delivered it to the Chilean government. It has allowed our national flag to fly in more than 60 countries and sail most of the world's oceans. This milestone was celebrated in the port of Tokyo during its official visit to Japan.
Their story
The name "Esmeralda" commemorates two naval actions that are true jewels for the Chilean Navy. They are the most glorious pages in Chile's naval history, where our crews bore witness to the love and sacrifice owed to the nation, values instilled on the decks of our ships.
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Here are some links to the Esmeralda from Chilean sources:
https://www.esmeralda.cl/
https://www.esmeralda.cl/esmeralda/buque-escuela-esmeralda/historia/2014-06-04/113135.html
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And here are some pictures of the Chilean Esmeralda:
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And some more Chilean Esmeralda history from Wikipedia:
El
Buque Escuela Esmeralda (BE-43) es un emblemático velero de la Armada de Chile, conocido como "La Dama Blanca". Es la sexta unidad chilena en llevar este nombre, funciona como buque de instrucción para guardiamarinas y marineros, y se prepara para su 70º Viaje de Instrucción, con zarpe programado desde Valparaíso para el 25 de abril de 2026.
- Historia y Características: Construido en España y lanzado en 1946, fue entregado a Chile en 1952. Es el tercer velero más alto del mundo.
- Significado del Nombre: Honra tanto a la fragata capturada por Lord Cochrane en 1820 como a la corbeta comandada por Arturo Prat en el Combate Naval de Iquique (1879).
- Función Actual:Realiza cruceros de instrucción de un año, sirviendo como embajada flotante de Chile, visitando diversos países
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- Controversia: Durante la dictadura militar (1973-1990), el buque fue utilizado como centro de detención y tortura, un aspecto oscuro en su historia.
Nota: Existe también la "Laguna Esmeralda" en Melipilla, Chile.
In English:
The Esmeralda Training Ship (BE-43) is an iconic sailing vessel of the Chilean Navy, known as "The White Lady." It is the sixth Chilean vessel to bear this name, serves as a training ship for midshipmen and sailors, and is preparing for its 70th Training Voyage, scheduled to depart from Valparaíso on April 25, 2026.
History and Characteristics: Built in Spain and launched in 1946, it was delivered to Chile in 1952. It is the third tallest sailing ship in the world.
Meaning of the Name: It honors both the frigate captured by Lord Cochrane in 1820 and the corvette commanded by Arturo Prat in the Naval Battle of Iquique (1879).
Current Function: It undertakes year-long training cruises, serving as a floating embassy for Chile, visiting various countries.
Controversy: During the military dictatorship (1973-1990), the ship was used as a detention and torture center, a dark chapter in its history.
Note: There is also a "Laguna Esmeralda" in Melipilla, Chile.
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Finally, the box top of the model kit from Artesania Latina states that the ship comes with the flags and colors of the Chilean Navy, so you can completely build the Juan Sebastian de Elcano AS La Esmeralda.
Hope this was helpful. Good luck!
Ignacio27
