Gazela facts for kids
Gazela docked in Philadelphia, April 15, 2012
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Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small}  Portugal |
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| Name | Gazela |
| Namesake | Gazelle (in Portuguese) |
| Port of registry | Lisbon |
| Builder | J. M. Mendes yards in Setúbal, Portugal |
| Completed | 1901 |
| Out of service | Retired from fishing, 1969 |
| Fate | Sold and transferred to the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, 1971 |
 United States |
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| Name | Gazela |
| Owner | Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild |
| Acquired | 1971 |
| Identification | IMO number: 5126885 |
| Status | Museum Ship/Training ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 652 deadweight, 299 gross |
| Length | 177 ft (54 m). overall, 140 ft (43 m). on deck, 133 ft (41 m). on the waterline |
| Beam | 26 ft (7.9 m). at maximum beam |
| Height | 94 ft (29 m). from the deck |
| Draft | approx. 17 ft (5.2 m). |
| Installed power | Diesel - CAT 3406 540 HP |
| Sail plan | Barquentine 8,910 square feet (828 m2) |
| Notes | wooden hull |
The Gazela is a beautiful wooden tall ship that was built in 1901. Its home port is Philadelphia, USA. This ship was first used for commercial fishing for over 60 years. Today, the Gazela is like a special floating ambassador for the City of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania. It also represents the ports of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey. You might have even seen the Gazela in movies, and it has taken part in big events like OpSail 2000.
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The Story of Gazela
The Gazela is a type of sailing ship called a barquentine. Its original name was Gazela Primeiro, which means "Gazelle the First" in Portuguese. It was built in 1901 at the J. M. Mendes shipyard in Setúbal, Portugal.
Fishing for Cod in the Grand Banks
The Gazela was built to help fishermen catch cod fish in a place called the Grand Banks near Newfoundland. Every spring, the ship would leave Lisbon, Portugal. It carried about 35 small boats called dories stacked on its deck.
The crew included 40 men, mostly fishermen, plus cooks and the captain. The ship's cargo area was filled with salt. This salt was used to preserve the fish they caught, like cod, flounder, and halibut. This way, the fish stayed fresh for the long journey back home. The Gazela could hold over 350 tons of salted fish!
Adding an Engine
For many years, the Gazela sailed only with its sails. But in 1938, a diesel engine was added. This was important because the cod fish were becoming harder to find in the Grand Banks. Ships had to travel to colder, windier places like the Davis Strait, between Greenland and Canada. An engine made it much easier to sail through strong winds and around icebergs. To fit the engine's propeller, the back of the ship was made longer by about 10 to 12 feet.
The Gazela had a very long career as a fishing ship. Its last fishing trip to the Grand Banks was in 1969.
Gazela in Philadelphia
In 1971, a kind person named William Wikoff Smith bought the Gazela. He bought it for the Philadelphia Maritime Museum. The ship sailed to Philadelphia on May 24, 1971. It followed a route similar to Columbus, stopping in the Canary Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico. On July 8, the Gazela arrived in Philadelphia for the first time.
A Museum and Training Ship
In 1985, the Gazela was given to the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild. This is a group that works to keep the ship in good condition. They use help from people who donate money and volunteers. The Gazela now travels along the eastern coast of the U.S., attending events as Philadelphia's special tall ship.
During spring and summer, the Gazela sails on the Delaware River and the Atlantic Coast. In the colder winter months, volunteers from the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild work hard to maintain the ship. They make sure it stays in great shape for future adventures.
Gazela in Movies and Books
The Gazela has been featured in several films and books:
- Civil War Gold: A documentary from National Geographic about the history of the SS Republic steamship (2003).
- The Widow of Saint-Pierre: A French film that was nominated for a Golden Globe award (2000).
- The Irish In America: A PBS documentary about the history of Irish immigrants in the United States (1998).
- Interview With A Vampire: A movie starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt (1994).
- The Quest of the Schooner Argus: A book by Alan Villiers (1951) that includes pictures and stories about the Gazela.
Images for kids
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A model showing Gazela docked at Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA.
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A small wooden dory, used to bring fish back to the Gazela.
