Spanish Tall Ship El Galeon Andalucia to Arrive Wednesday

The Spanish tall ship El Galeón Andalucía is scheduled to arrive in town at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 to officially kick of the Sail Portsmouth 2015 festival.

The one-of-a-kind galleon class sailing ship will be the star attraction during this year’s tall ship festival, which is slated to last through Sunday, July 26. The 170-foot, 495-ton wooden replica 16th century galleon class sailing ship is expected to draw thousands of maritime enthusiasts to the Fish Pier during its first visit to Portsmouth.

As the only ship of its kind sailing in the world today, the Andalucía will be tied up at the Fish Pier on Peirce Island, and will be available for tours from 10:00 am to 5:30pm daily beginning on Thursday.

The Andalucía will be the main attraction during Wednesday’s Parade of Sail. Escorting the Andalucía up the river during the Boat Parade will be the Portsmouth Fireboat with her hoses spraying in the air, as well as Portsmouth’s own Gundalow, Piscataqua. The 120-foot, two-masted topsail schooner, Privateer Lynx will also join the Andalucía in the Boat Parade. The Lynx is a replica of a new type of schooner created in Baltimore during the war of 1812. The Lynx, will not be open for tours during the event, but after the parade will offer sails on the ocean from New Castle. Day sails are filling up fast so act now before they’re all sold out. To purchase tickets for a day sail visit www.sailportsmouth.org.

Landlubbers are invited to watch the Boat Parade from shore from vantage points on Four Tree Island in Portsmouth, Great Island Common and the Portsmouth Yacht Club in New Castle, and Fort Foster in Kittery, Maine. The new Memorial Bridge is another good place to view the Boat Parade. Spectators can expect a cannon salute from the Lynx at various points during the Boat Parade. Members of the Newmarket Militia will return the salute from Four Tree Island.