Description

STAD AMSTERDAM DUTCH CLIPPER SHIP

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY MUSEUM QUALITY SHIP MODEL

Dimension approx.: 32″ L x 5.5″ W x 28″ H
The model is already built. THIS IS NOT A MODEL SHIP KIT

The Stad Amsterdam is one of the most remarkable tall ships of the modern era — a vessel conceived not as a replica, but as a living tribute to the Dutch clipper tradition. Her story began during SAIL Amsterdam 1995, when city officials and entrepreneur Frits Goldschmeding envisioned a new flagship that would embody Amsterdam’s maritime heritage while offering training and opportunity to young people. Naval architect Gerard Dijkstra transformed that vision into a design inspired by mid‑19th‑century Dutch clippers, particularly the 1854 merchant frigate Amsterdam. The result was a ship that blended historical beauty with contemporary engineering.

Construction began in 1997 at the Damen Oranjewerf shipyard, with her steel hull fabricated by Niron Steel and completed in 1998 before final outfitting at the National Maritime Museum. She emerged as a modern extreme clipper: 76 meters long, with a 10.5‑meter beam, 31 sails totaling 2,200 m², and an air draught of 46.3 meters. Her teak decks, mahogany interiors, and authentic clipper rigging evoke the romance of the age of sail, while hydraulic winches, a Caterpillar diesel engine, and sustainable propulsion systems ensure she meets 21st‑century standards. Crewed by about 30 professional sailors, she carries 28 passengers on long voyages and up to 115 on day sails.

The Stad Amsterdam was launched in 2000, christened by Rita Kok during SAIL Amsterdam 2000, and immediately became the event’s star attraction. She went on to serve as a flagship for subsequent SAIL festivals in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2025, her tall rig and graceful lines making her one of the most recognizable ships in the international tall‑ship community. In 2001, she proved her speed by winning the Cutty Sark Tall Ships’ Race, a nod to the performance of the clippers that inspired her design.

Her voyages have taken her across the world. In 2009, she retraced Charles Darwin’s HMS Beagle expedition for the televised series Beagle: In Darwin’s Wake, blending exploration with scientific outreach. Her most ambitious journey came in 2025, when she completed a two‑year circumnavigation, covering 67,500 nautical miles, visiting more than 30 ports, and welcoming over 7,500 guests. Along the way, she continued her roles as a training vessel, charter ship, and ambassador of Dutch seamanship.

Recent refits between 2019 and 2021 strengthened her commitment to sustainability. Upgrades included cleaner engines, exhaust gas treatment, wastewater management, and shore‑power capability. She also supports The Ocean Cleanup, using AI‑powered imaging systems to map plastic pollution — a modern mission for a ship rooted in historical tradition.

Today, the Stad Amsterdam sails as a bridge between eras: a clipper that looks back to the 19th century while embracing the responsibilities and technologies of the 21st. She remains a symbol of Amsterdam’s maritime identity, a platform for education and adventure, and one of the most admired tall ships afloat — proof that the spirit of the great clippers still lives on the world’s oceans.