Copyright 2008 - 2004, by Land And Sea Collection,
All Rights Reserved
Presented is the finest plank on frame
wood model we have ever introduced. Superlatives do not do justice to the elegance of this handsome tops'l schooner that plied
the waters of the Atlantic Ocean as a Slave Trader until she ws brought to justice by the U.S. Revenue Cutter, Washington, in
1839. Before her capture, Amistad was a Cuban trading schooner, built to a design of the famous Baltimore Clippers of that
day. The ensuing saga which included a mutiny, a Supreme Court Trial with former president, John Quincy Adams, as
the defense counsel had all the ingredients to make both a movie and a full size reproduction. Steven Spielberg produced
the former in 1997, and Amistad America, Inc. financed the building of the replica at Mystic Seaport where the New Amistad
was launched in 2000. Our model is based on approved plans and a donation is made with the
sale of each model.
Its stitched sails, and enameled black hull paint, white trim stripes
and gold American Eagle figurehead are exceptional. These contrast to advantage to the varnished gloss bottom which shows
the individual planking in detail.
If you've been browsing through all the boat models offered on ebay,
you will be hard pressed to find something that represents boats that are executed as nicely overall. You can
spend a lot more money for so called museum quality detailing, but you can get the same satisfaction from our new line of
low cost models. In addition to this model of the AMISTAD, we have examples of the J Class, Rainbow, Endeavour and Ranger,
and offer the Schooners Adventuress, Atlantic, America, two sizes of Bluenose, and Wawona, two Chesapeake Bay
Skipjacks, the much admired Herreshoff 12.5, a Friendship sloop, and S&S's Dorade and Odyssey. The Marshall Sanderling
and Beetle catboats, a Classic 1920-30 motor yacht, and the Garwood Speedster. Please read about them on this site.
Don't confuse our models with others you see on the internet. All MODELS
are NOT CREATED EQUAL. There is no comparison to our replicas at near this price. Before you buy, make sure to look at
all photographs carefully. Ours will show a model of unparalleled quality and faithfulness to the original builder's
plans. Give-always are the rake of the masts, the proportions of the hull and bow, and the cut and fit of the sails.
If you're in doubt, email us! We have earned the reputation of providing high quality models of boats best known and loved
by American sailors at a reasonable price that will give you lasting enjoyment, and pride of ownership.
OUR GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: If not completely satisfied with your
purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items
must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Unfortunately, no refund
can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling.
BRIEF HISTORY OF SCHOONER AMISTAD:
The saga started on the distant shores of west Africa in 1839 when 53 Africans
were captured and sold into the transatlantic slave traffic. They were transported to Cuba where they were falsely registered
as Cuban born slaves. Importing slaves to Cuba was already illegal. They were bought by two Spanish traders, Jose Puiz and
Pedro Montez who decided to transport them to a different part of the Island aboard the schooner La Amistad. The Amistad was
by no means, the pride of the sea, having served for many years as a coastal cargo hauler, it was ill-equipped to transport
humans. The voyage was quite harsh, made worse by the reported sadistic treatment of the ship's captain and the cook, who
told the captives that they were going to be killed and eaten. On the third day out, fate provided a chance and a 25 year
old rice farmer named Cinque, who was the son of an African tribal chief lead a revolt aboard ship. The Captain died in the
fighting, the cook was killed. Amazingly, with little or no experience at sea travel, the newly freed Africans sailed north,
along the American coast during which time they made some 30 stops for food and water without interference. But their odyssey
came to an end near Long Island, New York, when they were seized by the USS Washington and towed to New London, CT. Soon it
was common knowledge that the crew had killed the captain and seized the ship and although no crime had been committed in
US waters, they were charged with piracy and murder. They were subsequently transferred to the New Haven jail for their trial.
However the inevitable, as described in the New York Times, was not to be. Former U.S. President John Quincy Adams stepped
into the ring and presented a defense. Continuing his court arguments into the appeal process, Adams found himself standing
before the United States Supreme Court in defense of his clients. Here he successfully argued that the defendants were free
men of color, transported against their will and thus had a right to resist by any means available. With the Supreme Court's
decision, the would-be slaves found themselves free men in America. In 1841, some three years later, the 35 surviving members
of this epic tale returned to their homeland in Africa, and the landmark decision of the Supreme court took its rightful place
in American history. Later, the vessel was granted U.S. Registry and briefly served in the Caribbean Trade until sold
to French Owners.
THE NEW AMISTAD is a symbol of the famous incident, and tells the story of the
life and conditions of those involved. The ship serves as a floating class room when in port, telling the story of capture,
enslavement and trial. After the story is told, the crew sails off again to another port of call to start the process
over again. In order to comply with USCG Regulations, the new ship is larger than the original due to space devoted to
an engine room and bulkheads to insure watertight integrity. It has a crew of 11, and is under the management of Amistad
American Inc. The story, the ship, and the people who tell it create an image of our past. If you're around the Atlantic
coast and happen to see that the Amistad is anchored near by, go see it. It is a great piece of American History. Interested
in learning their latest ports-of-call? Try: http://www.amistadamerica.org/.
ORIGINAL AMISTAD SPECIFICATIONS per Mystic Seaport research:
Length on deck 72
feet
Beam
19 feet
Draft
7 feet
Gross Tonnage 80
ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: To save cost,
this model is shipped with its masts down. Because of the amount of rigging, and sails, this model is best suited for
someone with some model building or sailing experience in more complex rigged boats. It is not a good choice for a beginner.
The detailed instructions are excellent, and the sails have numbered stickers on them. If you have a problem, email or call
us for guidance.
International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied
customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saudi
Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. The
list is growing weekly.
