Though it won’t take you out to look for the treasure as you swig on a bottle of rum, a 17th-century ship will pass through London next week and stop off to let Londoners hop on.
Galeon Andalucía, a 17th-century Spanish warship replica, will make a big splash in the city as it makes its grandiose arrival through Tower Bridge at around 4pm on September 23 having travelled from Gravesend, before stationing up at St. Katherine’s Dock for almost two weeks.
Galeon Andalucía in London
The 500-ton ship launched in 2009 and has taken on 70,000 nautical miles, including stop-offs this year in other UK cities Germany, France, and The Netherlands. Once it’s sailed through Tower Bridge, it’ll stop off at St Katherine’s Dock, and be available to visit between 10am – 8pm on September 24 to October 6. Dates and times could also be changed depending on the weather conditions.
Galeon Andalucía is a full-size replica, and will be opened up for visitors to learn more about what it was like to sail on one through interactive presentations and historical documents to view – and will even feature crew members in traditional costumes to carry out demonstrations.
These ships were typically used in expeditions for the Spanish Crown between the 16th and 18th centuries to find trade routes between Spain, America, and the Philippines, when Galleons would sail onto the Caribbean Sea and the cost of the Americas.
Will anyone start the Treasure Island chant of 15 men on the dead man’s chest — Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum while on board the vessel? You’ll have to head over and find out – that’s the real treasure.
Galeon Andalucía will pass through Tower Bridge on September 23 at around 4pm before stopping off at St Katherine’s Dock. You’ll be able to visit it between 10am and 8pm from September 24 – October 6.