STS Mir

STS "Mir" ( _ru. "Мир", meaning "World" or "Peace") is a three-masted, full rigged Sail Training Ship, based in St. Petersburg, Russia.She was built in 1987 at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland and is currently the fastest sailing ship in the world.

"Mir" is the second largest of six sister ships designed by Zygmunt Choreń and weighs 2,385 tonnes. She is 109.2 metres long, with a beam of 13.9 m and a draught of 6.3 m. The main mast is 52 m high and along with the other masts supports a total sail area of 2,771 m².

Her sister ships are Dar Młodzieży, Druzhba, Pallada, Khersones and Nadezhda. Mir is 8 m shorter than the longest current sailing ship, the Sedov (117.5 m).

Background

This ship was originally constructed as a cadet training ship, designed for carrying between 70 and 144 cadets. The total transport capacity is 199 people. In addition to the original training role, "Mir" now also offers sailing trips, daytrips and "cruises" between ports on a commercial basis; opening up the experience of sailing on "Mir" to those outside of Russia.

Achievements

"Mir" has taken part in many races, including the annual Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races, winning various prizes. In the Grand Regatta Columbus- 1992, celebrating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Mir came out as the absolute winner.

STS Mir at Trafalgar 200

During the afternoon of the 28 June 2005 Elizabeth II, as Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, embarked onboard HMS Endurance and, escorted by THV Patricia, set sail to review a fleet of over 167 ships from over 30 nations. STS Mir from Russia is pictured at anchor with her sister ship Dar Mlodziezy from Poland and the training ship Mercedes from the Netherlands in the Solent Portsmouth during the Trafalgar 200 International Fleet Review.