The Galeon Andalucía leaves port

14th June 2024
Colin Wooden reports
GYSC volunteer and Ships Visitor



As spectacles and talking points go, there could not have been many to match the impressive sight of the replica 16th century Spanish galleon moored at the heritage quay. It is a floating museum depicting the life and times when these vessels traded between Spain and the Americas
 
The exhibition was well laid out as a 'walk through', so that the visitor was able to tour almost the whole vessel at their own pace, with no set time, to linger as they wished to take in the sights. The ships bell on the foc'sle was an impressive feature, as was the ships wheel on the quarter deck. The plush living quarters of the captain and officers at the stern in the 'Noble Area' stood in contrast to the crew’s accommodation below decks
 
At a 160 feet long and weighing a little under 600 tons, it has already visited four continents and travelled in excess of 5,500 nautical miles. It has little over 34,000 feet of rope and 10,400 square feet of sail
 
The total ships company on sailing was 24, with 8 marine crew and the rest marine trainees and volunteers. It was truly a memorable visit with well over 2,000 visitors
The crew was very pleased to have the use of the facilities at the Great Yarmouth Seafarers Centre, and a place to relax away from the ship
 
There were hundreds of people to watch her leave the harbour on Tuesday afternoon, to the sound of the cannon, as its journey across the North Sea to the Netherlands began