Czech replica of corsair ship launched in Suez

Suez, Egypt/Prague, Dec 5 (CTK) - A replica of the corsair sailing ship La Grace of Czech 17th century explorer and merchant Augustin Herman was launched on Saturday and set sail Sunday, project spokesman Jiri G. Soucek told CTK Sunday.

La Grace will ply the oceans as a training ship, Soucek said.

The ship will spend the winter in the Red Sea, but next year, it will sail through the Mediterranean across the Atlantic and spend the next winter in the Caribbean, he added.

The sailing ship is 32 metres long and 6 metres wide and it is arranged for a 30-member crew, Soucek said.

"Not only sea school cadets, but also people interested in ancient voyages can use it," Soucek said.

"Although La Grace is a replica of a historic sailing ship, it is equipped with modern machinery, an engine and comfort. Besides, it absolutely fulfils all safety regulations," Soucek said.

The ship set sail after several-year preparations, its construction in Egypt alone took almost two years, he added.

Serving with the Dutch West India Company, Czech sailor Augustin Herman sailed across the Atlantic several times.

Later he arrived in New Amsterdam (later New York) where he bought the corsair ship La Grace with which he privateered Spanish merchant ships in the Caribbean.

Herman (1621-1686) later became the biggest exporter of indigo and tobacco in North America, acquired a grant of land called Bohemia Manor in Maryland and was knighted.