As a Randstad company, Sapphire Technologies was excited to welcome Randstad’s Stad Amsterdam to three of our major markets. The 250 foot signature Clipper ship sailed into the United States in March and April, stopping in the Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Boston seaports. The boat was certainly a conversation piece and a delight to behold.
Construction of the Clipper Stad Amsterdam was commissioned by the municipality of Amsterdam and Randstad Holding. The initiative originated during the event Sail Amsterdam '95. Mr. Frits Goldschmeding and Mrs. Pauline Krikke (municipality of Amsterdam) were closely involved with the project.
The main source of inspiration for the design of the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, was the Amsterdam, dating from 1854, though it isn't a copy of an existing clipper. Gerard Dijkstra combined the qualities of 19th-century clippers with present-day requirements.
The construction work on the hull body at the Damen Oranjewerf shipyard in Amsterdam lasted from December 1997 until December 1998. Of the overall construction time, estimated at 200,000 hours, some 35,000 man hours were spent on the hull. It has made important contributions to the lives of the young-and-unemployed and to school-leavers by offering them valuable training and work experience.
In the summer of 2000, Mrs. Rita Kok christened the ship, and at Sail Amsterdam 2000, it was presented for the first time to the general public.
For more information regarding the Stad Amsterdam Clipper go to www.stadamsterdam.com.
Clipper Fast Facts:
- Overall Length: 250 ft
- Beam: 34.5 ft
- Draught: 15.7 ft
- Speed: 17 knots
- Rigging: three-mast fully rigged
- Number of Sails: 29
- Sail Area: 2.200 m2
- Number of Cabins: 14
- Engine Power: 749 kW
- Displacement: 1.038 MT
- Hull: Steel
- Construction Time: 1997-2000
