I see no ships

So far we have seen narrowboats, cruisers, broadbeams, clippers, tourists boats, RIBs and working boats on the River Thames, but no ships.

Barge Coelacanth comes up river

Barge Coelacanth and sailing dingys near Greenwich

So we did not expect to see one of the most wonderful  ships in the world .......

This ship is glorious - sadly we missed her coming up river

Tall Ship Gloria

Tall Ship ARC Gloria

She was visiting London for a couple of days and came into Docklands, moored at the South Dock in West India Docks and had a huge welcome from the Colombian community in the UK! We just had to go and see her.

Largest ensign

Gloria flies the flag

Gloria flies the largest Colombian flag I have ever seen (the largest ensign in the world on a three mast ship). She is the official flag ship and sail-training ship of the Columbian Navy. Steel hulled, her outside appearance is deceptive - all that polished wood, brass, 3 masts and 23 sails. She was actually purpose-built in 1968.

Gloria's Mast

Mast with modern tech

Down below she has the usual modern tech, electronic navigation instruments, computers, a diesel engine and even air conditioning! Sadly we did not get to see the Officers Mess as there are cabinets of pre-Colombian gold and ceramic artefacts.

sail furled

Sail furled in bow and the Dock behind

The lifeboats are powered by Volvo Penta engines, but the art of rope coiling is very traditional

lifeboat Gloria II

Lifeboat name plate

sail halyards

Sail halyards tidied away

The figurehead, coated in gold leaf is Maria Salud - reputedly modelled on the sculptor's daughter

figurehead

Bowsprit

Gloria from bows with bowsprit

Colombian visitors and maybe some of the crew's families were everywhere - so proud to be Colombian

Celebration at the gang plank

Celebrating at the gangplank

To read more about Gloria, one of the largest of the Tall Ships, follow this link and more about her role here

There is a BBC video here about her arrival in London. The Columbian Embassy documents her leaving on the 26th here.

More of our photos here!

Gloria in South Dock

A last look back for us as we walked to Canary Wharf to shop at Waitrose

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