14 May 2007
18th Century Swedish Ship Götheborg arrives in London - sails
through Tower Bridge to cannon fire salute on Saturday 19 May
Pirate wannabes can live out their buccaneering fantasies by
boarding the Swedish ship Götheborg – a full-scale replica of an
18th Century East India merchantman – when she sails into London
with cannons firing on Saturday 19 May from 2.00pm.
The Swedish ship Götheborg is the first ever replica East India
merchant vessel to sail into London and is the only ship like it in
the world. The ship is returning to London 262 years after her
original namesake left for Sweden; a dramatic, final voyage that
saw the ship wrecked just outside Gothenburg Harbour as an
insurance scam. She will stay in London until 2 June.
The ship has visited 13 countries, braved modern day pirates and
been visited by thousands of people on a two-year voyage recreating
the old East India trading routes. She will arrive in London to
huge celebration and provides a unique opportunity for Londoners to
visit a ship, the likes of which helped build London’s wealth and
shaped the Capital’s heritage over 200 years ago.
Her arrival will be marked by quayside
celebrations. Highlights include:
- Sail up the Thames, firing her cannon to salute London at Tower
Bridge (approx 2.00pm)
- HMS Belfast will fire a full gun salute in return. This is the
first such salute the Belfast has fired since her permanent
berthing in London.
- Tower Bridge will open for her sail up to London Bridge and
again for her to sail to West Quay, London Docklands where she stay
until 2 June.
- The King and Queen of Sweden will visit the ship when berthed
at West Quay on 20 May.
- Guided tours around the ship at West India Docks, with members
of the crew and quayside exhibitions charting her history,
recreation and archaeology.
Recreating the Götheborg
The original Götheborg sank on 12 September, 1745, on her way
back from London, foundering on rocks outside the entrance to
Gothenburg port. The ship had been at sea for two years and was
supposed to be returning with cargo valued at more than Sweden’s
national budget when she sunk. All the crew survived, picked up by
the flotilla of small boats that sailed to greet the Götheborg.
Most of the cargo was never salvaged, but claimed on insurance.
Swedish historians speculate the ship was deliberately wrecked as
an insurance fraud, and believe the Captain and ship’s owner sold
the cargo in London.
Marine archaeological excavations of the wreck took place from
1986 to 1992. The findings and salvaged remnants of the ship,
together with historical records and drawings, were used to guide
her recreation. Work began to recreate her in 2002, using
traditional materials and craftsmanship employed during the 18th
Century. The recreation took ten years, used over 50km of planks;
70,000 hand forged nails; 10,000 bolts; 2,000m2 of sail; 1,000
rigging locks and 10 cast iron cannons. She set sail on 2 October
2005 on a voyage to China, following the traditional trade routes
and acting as an ambassador of Swedish culture, trade and
enterprise.
The Swedish ship Götheborg is crewed by a team of 80, a 50/50
split between men and women. (So many marriages have taken place on
the ship that it has earned the nickname ‘the love boat’). The
original Götheborg would have been crewed by at least 120 sailors,
with an expectancy to lose around 20 percent to ill health.
The SOIC Tent Village, located on the quayside beside the ship,
will include details of the marine archaeology, her recreation and
expedition. Members of the crew and characters dressed in 18th
Century costumes will be on hand to speak with members of the
public.
The SOIC Tent Village opening times
Open daily from 19 May – 2 June from 10.00am – 8.00pm
Except 20 May and 24 May when it will only be open from 10.00am –
3.00pm.
The Swedish ship Gotheborg public opening times:
May 22: 10.00am – 5.00pm
May 26 – 28: 10.00am – 8.00pm
May 29 – 31: 10.00am – 3.00pm
Address: West India Docks, South Quay, E14 9RS
Nearest tube: Canary Wharf
Admission: Adults: £8, Children (under 12’s): free
(Tickets available at the ship, admission tickets only valid on
date of purchase)
Full public listings will be posted on the Swedish ship
Götheborg's website:
www.soic.se (select the English
flag).
Ends
Press information
Kallaway Ltd.
Jo Williamson, 020 7221 7883,
jo.Williamson@kallaway.co.uk
Images: High resolution images available on request, please contact
Jo Williamson.
Press places for sailing on the ship:
Limited places are available for national press to travel on the
Swedish ship
Götheborg as she travels up the Thames. Please contact Jo
Williamson for further details.
Press boat:
A press boat, with space for photographers and camera crews will be
available
around Tower Bridge to capture the ship as she arrives in London.
Please contact Jo Williamson to book your place.
.