Fans of tall sailing ships may be interested to learn that the ARC Gloria, a training ship of the Colombian Navy will be in London from this weekend and there will be free tours of the ship for us Londoners next week.
According to the Port of London Authority, she will be moored at George’s Stairs, which is on the Thames near Deptford from this Friday until next Monday.
Then, according to the Colombian Embassy, it seems that she will sail around to South Quay by Canary Wharf (map link) and it is there that they will have open days for the public.
The vessel will be open for free public tours during the following times:
Tuesday 23 August: 9am – 7pm
Wednesday 24 August: 9am – 4pm
Thursday 25 August: 9am – 7pm
The Gloria will depart at 11am on Friday 26 August for Spain, Morroco, the Canary Islands and then return home to Cartagena.
The ship is only slightly shorter than the US Coast Guard’s sailing ship which visited South Dock a couple of months ago, and certainly should be worth a visit if you are in the area or like tall sailing ships.
Thanks for posting this. My office is right next to where these ships generally dock at South Quay and it’s nice to have advance notice so I can bring my camera in!
COLOMBIAN NAVY’S SHIP ARC GLORIA WILL PASS THROUGH TOWER BRIDGE
The ARC Gloria, one of the biggest tall ships in the world, still in service, will pass through Tower Bridge after a successful three-day visit to London.
It is almost 20 years since the Colombian Navy’s ship Gloria last sailed into London, this time on a goodwill tour of the world, received over 7.000 visitors during its time in the city.
The ship, with its massive flag unfurled and the 81 cadets on the masts singing the Ship’s anthem will pass through Tower Bridge on Friday 26 August 2011 – 12:15 (Up-river) and 12:45 (Down-river) –
Join us at West India Docks, South Quay and along the riverside as we bid farewell to ARC Gloria.
When: 26 August 2011 – 12:15 (Up-river) and 12:45 (Down-river)
Where: Tower Bridge