Historic replica of Sweden’s wooden sailing ship from Gothenburg sails under London’s Tower Bridge
A historic replica of an 18th-century Swedish merchant ship that sank more than 270 years ago surprised commuters on their way to work today when the boat made a triumphant return to London for the first time in 15 years.
Sweden’s Gothenburg sailed up the Thames and under the capital’s iconic Tower Bridge on Monday morning with her crew in rigging, singing carols to a delighted crowd.
It later moored at Thames Quay in Canary Wharf, where the public got the chance to see the remarkable ship up close on British waters for the first time since its last expedition in 2007.
Once the world’s largest wooden shipping vessel, the original Gothenburg sank under mysterious circumstances after running aground on an infamous submerged rock in 1745.
The extraordinary galleon, which stands 150 feet high, stretches 36 feet wide and has more than two dozen sails, was painstakingly reconstructed by shipbuilders on a 1:1 scale before finally being completed to much fanfare in 2005.
Today’s replica remains one of the largest operational wooden sailing ships still in use in the world today.
Sweden’s Gothenburg sailed up the Thames and under the capital’s iconic Tower Bridge on Monday morning with its crew in rigging and singing sea shanties to a delighted crowd
The replica ship, which stands 150 feet tall, stretches 36 feet wide and has more than two dozen sails, was painstakingly reconstructed by shipbuilders on a 1:1 scale before finally being completed to great fanfare in 2005
Large crowds of Londoners and commuters gather in the capital to watch Sweden’s Gothenburg pass under Tower Bridge
Gothenburg, which remains one of the largest operational wooden sailing ships still in use in the world today, arrived in the UK on Monday after departing from Oslo, Norway on 31 July 2022
Gothenburg finally arrived in the UK on Monday after departing Oslo, Norway on 31 July 2022.
It will be moored in Canary Wharf for the next four days where it will be open to visitors to explore inside.
The ship’s on-board exhibits promise to transport visitors back in time to the 18th century, revealing the eye-opening history of Gothenburg and its crew while experiencing the “enormous art of shipbuilding in a contemporary 18th century setting.
Gothenburg’s official website stated: ‘On board Gothenburg you will visit the beautiful weather deck with the rudder, capstan and ship’s bell.
“The sun deck offers a fantastic view of the ship and the masts, and down on the gun deck are ten impressive cannons.
“Don’t miss the two pieces from the original ship, one piece by the historic cabinet with china and chalk pipes on the gun deck, and the other recessed into the helm.”
The Swedish East India Company operated from the city of Gothenburg, where it had secured a multi-year monopoly on trade in home-grown resources such as tar, iron, copper and timber to partners in the Far East.
A thriving trade center located on the west coast, Gothenburg soon grew to become Sweden’s second city.
The original Gothenburg ship was built at the Terra Nova shipyard in Stockholm and launched on her maiden voyage in 1739, with 30 guns and an initial crew of more than 140.
The ship was once the pride of the trading company’s fleet and was named after the city where the Swedish East India Company was based, with every expedition both starting and ending in the western outpost.
From there Gothenburg, whose tonnage exceeded more than 830 tons, made two successful voyages to China where they picked up porcelain, silk, tea and other exotic goods.
However, the ship’s trading days were short and it ran aground and eventually sank after crashing into the infamous submerged rock, Knipla Börö, in 1745, less than half a mile before it would have safely docked in its home port.
Its sinking had been a relative mystery given the vast experience of the captain, Eric Moréen, and the calm conditions before it struck the submerged rock.
Some nautical experts now believe that Gothenburg may have suddenly turned to starboard due to the phenomenon of “dead water”, whereby the water’s salinity or temperature can produce isolated waves that cause ships to veer dramatically off their original course.
The ship will be moored in Canary Wharf for the next four days where it will be open to visitors to explore inside
Divers near the modern Gothenburg harbor were first able to explore the ship’s nearly 300-year-old wreck in 1984. Soon, plans were made to create a life-size replica of the ship after examining the original wreck. Pictured: The ship in London today
Once the world’s largest wooden shipping vessel, the original Gothenburg sank under mysterious circumstances after running aground on an infamous submerged rock in 1745
Divers near the modern Gothenburg harbor were first able to explore the almost 300-year-old wreck of the ship in 1984.
Plans were soon drawn up to create a life-size replica of the ship after examining the original wreck.
Shipbuilders, struggling to use the same wood and tools used in its construction 275 years ago, plowed ahead and built the ship using the same techniques and materials as their 18th century counterparts.
10 tons of oak logs were plowed to make the ship’s hull, which was laid in 1995 after several years of preparation. A tar and cattle cover was later made to protect the wooden base from shipworm.
Today, the ship is equipped with updated technology, according to modern maritime health and safety regulations.
It has two diesel engines capable of hitting 11 knots, fire extinguishers and GPS and satellite radar.
The second arrival of Gothenburg was launched in April 2022 with a mission to trace the last steps of its lost ancestor.
Ahead of its trip to the capital, the company promoting Gothenburg’s voyage wrote online: “It is fifteen years since the ship last visited London, in May 2007 on its way home from the first Asia expedition.
“Now is the time again for the ship to sail up the Thames and greet the people of London.”